Bio Green Lawn Care Continues Commitment to Chesapeake Bay Restoration

Bio Green Outdoor Services LLC today announces it has signed a Water Quality Agreement (WQA) for the calendar year 2015 with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and has become a Green & Clean Company. Green & Clean is an initiative by DCR’s Nutrient Management Program, which works to implement nutrient management throughout Virginia to achieve stated urban pollution reduction goals and keep waterways clean.  Six states and the District of Columbia are participating in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and have developed WIPs to achieve the 2025 goal of protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay by implementing pollution control plans that achieve specific water quality goals, measured against two-year milestones.

This is the second year that Bio Green has participated in DCR’s Water Quality Agreement Program, enabling the company to better help protect and improve ground and surface waters. Pervious turfgrass covers an estimated 1.2 million acres of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Virginia. According to Virginia’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP), 500,000 acres must be addressed by urban nutrient management plans by 2025. Nutrient management plans written by certified planners and acreage managed by Green & Clean Companies help Virginia track success in meeting this goal.

“We’re thrilled that Bio Green Outdoor Services has signed on as a Green & Clean partner for a second year. Green & Clean companies agree to follow proper lawn care practices that make yards look their best and protect our waterways,” said Derik Cataldi, Urban Nutrient Management Specialist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

“Preserving water quality has always been an integral part of Bio Green’s business plan since we opened our doors in 1987. With my background in soil conservation, we have always incorporated many of the DCR recommendations such as soil testing, blowing granular products off walks and driveways and using Integrated Pest Management techniques,” said Bio Green Executive Vice President, Staff Agronomist and Certified Virginia Nutrient Management Planner Dave Schrader. “Through our work with the DCR, we have lowered our fertilizer application rates. Their Nutrient Management Standards and Criteria set limits to fertilizer applications that 25 years ago I would have said would not work, but they do. Bio Green follows them closely and still achieves wonderful results.

Press Contacts

For Press Interviews and more information about Bio Green Outdoor Services and our efforts to minimize nutrient runoff: Robin Hogan, Bleevit Interactive 202-288-5213, robin.hogan@bleevit.com

For more information about Green and Clean or Water Quality Agreements:: Julie Buchanan, VA Department of Conservation and Recreation 804-786-2292, Julie.Buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov

About Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) works to conserve, protect, enhance and advocate wise use of the commonwealth’s natural resources. DCR staff manages programs for outdoor recreation, water quality, land conservation and flood protection. Programs for water quality include nutrient management training, watershed-based planning and financial assistance to control runoff pollution. DCR staff works closely with Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts to help farmers implement conservation practices on agricultural lands. For more information, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov.

About Bio Green Outdoor Services, LLC

Bio Green provides a full range of services that enhance outdoor living spaces for residents of the Northern Virginia area, including lawn care and lawn fertilization services, lawn sprinkler systems installation and irrigation systems servicing, outdoor landscape lighting, mosquito control services and drainage solutions. Family owned and operated, with over 40 employees and two service and administration centers (Sterling and Manassas), Bio Green takes pride in providing high-quality services to our clients, employing environmentally sensitive approaches to each of our service areas. Go to https://biogreenva.com or https://www.facebook.com/BioGreen for more information about Bio Green.