November 4th, 2013 9:30AM-2PM Compost Specifications Workshop – Hosted by Metro Vancouver
10th Floor Conference Room Metrotown Place III Building
5945 Kathleen Avenue, Burnaby, BC
Using compost to create sustainable landscape sites, and to manage drought,
stormwater and erosion
Time
Activity
Details
9:30-10:00
Registration
Coffee and Pastries
10:00 – 10:15
10:15 – 10:45
The Compost Specification Development Project
Benefits of Compost Use, Compost Testing
Requirements
Buying quality compost to meet project goals
Compost use in Landscape and Turf Management
James McQueen
10:45 – 11:45
Ron Alexander,
Horticulturist, specification
developer
Metro Vancouver Draft Compost Specifications
Landscaping Applications and ‘Green’ Infrastructure
Trends
Why compost is so important applications? Understood
benefits
Compost use in Soil Blending
11:45 – 12:45
LUNCH
12:45 – 1:45
Compost use in Non-Traditional (Environmental)
Applications
Metro Vancouver Draft Compost Specifications
Erosion and sediment control
Storm water Management Techniques
LID / Green Buildings and Compost
1:45 – 2:00
Wrap-Up
Dr. Britt Faucette,
CPESC, LEED AP
Metro Vancouver Compost Specifications Workshop
I. Title:
Using compost to create sustainable landscape sites, and to manage drought, stormwater and
erosion
II. Introduction:
Metro Vancouver has contracted R. Alexander Associates, Inc. to develop draft
specifications for compost use in traditional and non-traditional uses. Ron Alexander and
Dr. Britt Faucette will present the results of that work, solicit feedback from stakeholders
and provide information on various aspects of compost use for landscaping, horticulture,
stormwater management and erosion control.
III. Outline:
Discuss
A. Specifications developed through the Metro Vancouver project
B. Products that are used in lieu of compost, provide ‘comparison’ data
C. Appropriate testing requirements and methods
D. Trends in Soil and Site BMP’s, ‘Green’ Building
E. Compost as a Tool for Landscaping and Environmental Improvement
F. Benefits of Soil Improvement for Sustainable Site Development
G. Discussion of Current Techniques for Site/Soil Improvement and Protection
Healthy soil is the foundation of successful landscapes. Soil restoration is at the core of sustainable
sites development, because it is essential for climate protection, stormwater management, water
conservation, and human and wildlife habitat. Soil and site best practices are now required in certain
regions and in an increasing number of local codes as part of Low Impact Development ordinances.
And they can save the savvy practitioner money and time on a variety of development projects, as
well as assure long-term planting success.
This presentation will provide back-up data and specifications for the use of compost in traditional
landscaping and non-traditional “green infrastructural” applications. It will provide practical techniques
for:
 Complying with soil BMPs
 Protecting existing soil and vegetation
 Using compost and other organic amendments effectively
 Construction sequencing for site BMPs
 Understanding how to specify and inspect soil and compost
 Using organics as approved erosion control BMPs
 Innovative site BMPs such as living embankments, flood and slide restoration
 Practical “lessons learned” from many projects: big, small, urban, rural, public and private.
Presenter Biographies
Ronald Alexander
President, R. Alexander Associates, Inc.
1212 Eastham Drive
Apex, North Carolina 27502
919-367-8350
alexassoc@earthlink.net
www.alexassoc.net
Mr. Alexander is a horticulturist with almost 30 years of experience working with compost and other
organic recycled products. He is also the President of R. Alexander Associates, Inc., a consulting
company specializing in product development for organic recycled products. Before becoming a
consultant, Mr. Alexander was Vice President of Marketing for a firm specializing in the marketing of
composted products. He has presented over 300 papers over his career, and has authored the ‘Field
Guide to Compost Use’, AASHTO Erosion Control Specifications for Compost, and 'Landscape
Architecture Specifications for Compost Utilization'.
Dr. Britt Faucette
Dr. Britt Faucette, Ph.D., is an Ecosystem Scientist, Certified Professional of Erosion & Sediment
Control (CPESC), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional
(LEED AP). Dr. Faucette currently directs research and technical services programs for several
companies within the stormwater management and the organics recycling industries. He earned his
Ph.D. from the Odom School of Ecology at the University of Georgia where he researched soil-waterplant performances of various BMPs used in soil erosion and storm water management applications;
served as a state specialist in storm water management, organics recycling, and pollution prevention
programs in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering; and served as an adjunct
professor in the School of Environmental Design. Britt coordinates international research, design,
and training services for the stormwater and organic materials management industries and serves on
technical committees with the American Society of Test Methods (ASTM), Green Roofs for Healthy
Cities (GRHC), the Board of Trustees for the US Composting Council Research & Education
Foundation (CCREF), the Professional Development Committee and the Standards and Practices
Committee of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), and is Chairperson of the Georgia
Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GA SWCC) Technical Advisory Committee to revise the
state Erosion & Sediment Control Manual. In 2008 he was the recipient of the Annual Clean Water
Award presented by the US Composting Council. He has authored nearly 20 scientific peer-reviewed
journal publications, over 100 popular press articles, developed federal and state specifications on
organic materials used in erosion and sediment control and storm water management, worked with
foreign governments, taught graduate students, consulted on organic materials management and
storm water related projects in 15 countries, has been awarded nearly $500,000 in state and federal
research grants, has conducted seminars and trainings at over 100 national and regional
conferences, and has published two books on research and design elements of organic materials
used in storm water management.
Map of 5945 Kathleen Avenue, Burnaby. Workshop in 10th Floor Conference Room
Close to Patterson Skytrain Station
Underground parking available next door at 4330 Kingsway. Enter from back on Kemp Street. $5 for
the day.