Topic 1: Solar Pump - Irrigation for Challenging and Remote Sites

Through challenges, failures, and shortcomings, there is always the opportunity to innovate our processes and products in ecological restoration installations. Leaf Ninjas was consistently faced with the challenge of keeping plantings alive in an economical way while using a low amount of natural resources. The quality of plant material and conditions plants are installed in are major factors, but one area that is often overlooked is the aftercare and maintenance, regular watering especially. This is how we implemented the solar pump to irrigate restoration activities.

Implementing a solar-powered irrigation pump, with parts as simple as a bicycle, we observed our planting success rates increase. It was clear with Alberta’s resource of sunlight averaging 325 per year and an inconsistent rainfall of 12-20 per year that a consistent system like a solar-powered irrigation system was a valuable tool for these types of installations. The systems that have been deployed are being used in areas where you cannot access safely (across rivers) or within certain times of year (fish hatching windows, bird nesting windows, rare plant blooms) while increasing the success of projects. Using its built-in data recording program, stakeholders are able to get real-time information on how much water is used, what times of day, and how much energy is used.

The solar pump has bridged the gap on project sites that we’re normally prone to failure. It is one solution in a whole rounded approach to ensure restoration project goals and success factors can be achieved.


Topic 2: Pre-rooted Live Stakes – A Risk Management Solution for Bioengineering

D. Carlton, Leaf Ninjas, Calgary AB, Canada.

Leaf Ninjas is a native plant nursery and ecological restoration implementers. They are located in Calgary, Alberta Canada. They harvest and install live stakes, grow native plant containers and custom growing contracts for soil bioengineering and naturalization projects along waterways and slopes. Alberta has a unique set of challenges while practicing soil bioengineering. The overall purpose of the study was to increase the success rates using challenging live stake species such as Cornus sericea and Salix bebbiana. As well as to extend the installation window in soil bioengineering projects.

We investigate the problems by working on a pre-rooted live stake which was called a tall rooted live stake (TRS). The design was to mimic a typical live stake installed with similar specifications of stakes for a wide range of bioengineering installation methods. It was to achieve the regular function of a deep planted root for soil stability. The length of the product was between 1,000mm-2,000mm depending on the species used. Cornus sericea was 1,000-1,500mm in length, Salix bebbiana, Salix exigua, and Populus balsamifera were 1,500-2,000mm in length. The root ball was an average size of 150mm deep and 80mm wide. The root ball was established in a burlap bag allowing contractors to plant the entire live stake removing the waste of container product and handling time.

The plants were established in controlled nursery settings, achieving an average of 95% success rates for all species. This finding drastically changed the success rates compared to planting dormant live stakes in an uncontrolled setting. Cornus sericea and Salix bebbiana have on average success rates between 30%-50%. Creating a rooted product to come to the site with vs a dormant live stake removed the risk from the installing contractors to the nursery. It allows for an immediate change in starting success rates while planting soil bioengineering projects, all while performing the function of deep planting for root development and keeping a high diversity of species for installations.

Having the option to create a TRS product from dormant live stakes has turned an unstable plant product into a shelf-stable solution for installations. If the dormant live stakes are not planted before June 1st using Spring or Fall harvested stakes, the success rates of your project drastically decrease. This is due to the time the plant has to establish a root system and download the proper nutrients for the next dormancy period. Without an established healthy plant installed, it can cause major replanting needed, wasting a valuable resource taken from donor stands in natural environments. The TRS product allowed the installation contractors to achieve their order of operations as required for their specific project and plant mid to late summer if needed. If the plant material is not used in the projected timeline, it is easily able to be winterized for the following years installations, having no material wasted.

In conclusion, using a pre-rooted live stake with selections that have a high failure rate was a strength in bioengineering installations. It allowed our installation team and contractors to limit pre-installation risk but coming to sites with established uniform plant material. It allowed the advantage of a flexible timeline for installations during mid-summer to compliment the other needs of the project while maintaining a high diversity of plant species with the benefits of a live stake product.


Speaker Bio: Andrew Renaux, Director, Leaf Ninjas Inc.

Andrew Renaux is a founding director of Leaf Ninjas Inc. a company that grows and installs native plants for industrial reclamation.  Leaf Ninjas specializes in live stake plant material and horticultural product research and development.  Andrew studied mechanical engineering and business in Calgary, Alberta prior to starting Leaf Ninjas in 2012.  His passion for the plant kingdom and ecology has engaged him in many levels of ecological restoration from native seed collection, nursery growing, restoration design, installation, maintenance, and monitoring.  His enduring goal is to set affected lands on a trajectory of ecosystem recovery. 


*NEW* Venue & Schedule

The Bow
54th Floor, 500 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 0E3 (View Map)

Doors Open*: 11:45 AM
Lunch & Learn: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

*Note: We have a new venue and encourage guests to arrive 15 minutes prior to the lunch. Should you require assistance finding the venue, you may contact Betsy Chai via phone (403) 585-9368 or email betsy.chai@exova.com.


Registration Fees

Sponsor Fee

$400 (includes 1 registration)

In-Person Fees

Corporate/Individual Member*: $45
Retiree/Student Member: $25
Non-Member: $60

Webinar Fees

Corporate/Individual Member*: $35
Retiree/Student Member: $15
Non-Member: $50

Registration Deadline: Extended to Feb 3, 2020, at 12 pm (from Jan 29, 2020)

*Note: If your employer is a corporate member, you must log in to the corporate member portal or Corporate Membership account-holder may assign employee accounts to individuals within your organization to allow access to the member-exclusive rate. If you are unable to access your account or would like to activate your corporate member employee account, please contact us at info@clra.ca.


Sponsorship Opportunity Available!

Want to see your logo here? Sponsorship opportunities are available! Contact Betsy Chai to inquire about supporting the Calgary event or submit your sponsorship registration online.

Phone (403) 585-9368 or email betsy.chai@exova.com.

CLRA Alberta Chapter Lunch and Learn Series (Calgary, February 5)

  • Wednesday Feb 05 2020, 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
  • 500 Centre Street South
    Calgary,
    Canada
    T2G 0E3