Celebrating the season at EcoManor
At A Legendary Event, we are dedicated to sustainability and keeping the holidays eco-friendly.
“Ed Castro is very committed to changing the way business is done. His company is a leader not only in our community but in the nation for designing beautiful and functional landscapes in the most earth and animal friendly way and most importantly, for the sake of our children’s health.”
~ Laura Turner Seydel
Laura Turner Seydel, international environmental advocate and eco-living expert, joins her landscape designer, Ed Castro, CEO and founder of Ed Castro Landscape, in sharing some holiday tips from EcoManor, the “home ‘green’ home” of Laura and her family.
The first LEED-certified-Gold residence in the Southeast, EcoManor was conceptualized by Laura and Rutherford. For Laura’s ‘green’ landscape vision, the couple enlisted the help of Rutherford’s college friend Ed Castro, who became a key part of Laura’s environmental dream team.
Inspired by the best practices in the environmental world and with Laura leading the way, Ed created an efficient, low-maintenance, eco-driven design. He worked his magic by incorporating water harvesting, irrigation systems, seasonal bursts of color, flowering plants, native trees, shrubs and even a wildlife sanctuary certified by National Wildlife Federation. Wildlife, including honey bees and butterflies, are drawn to the native flowers laden with pollen. Two kinds of clover were incorporated to honor the various species that call the Seydel’s yard home. No pest or weed chemicals are used.
“We have Laura and Rutherford Seydel to thank for raising the standards of the environmental world,” says Ed. “Laura is an authority on the topic, and we owe the Seydels a huge debt of gratitude for their ongoing leadership and dedication.”
Laura and Rutherford’s Eco-Manor philosophy teaches us to make the holidays greener. Even the birds and the bees benefit. As the Seydels and Ed Castro agree, “The best gifts of all are the ones that put Mother Nature first on your guest list!”
With the holiday season arriving, Laura offers some EcoManor “greener ways” to brighten the holidays along with Ed Castro’s ideas to keep us grounded!
- Use LED holiday lights on your Christmas Tree or outdoor lighting – they are 90% more efficient than traditional bulbs and make sure lights are on timers.
- Decorate with natural materials – holly branches, fresh cotton, fallen branches, seasonal fruit and winter berries make beautiful décor.
- Buy a “cut” Christmas tree. Nearly all cut Christmas trees were grown on tree farms — which means their stock is replenished yearly and forests aren’t depleted. If you do not have curbside recycling drop off your tree at a Home Depot location, “One for the Chipper” and they will turn your tree into mulch. Castro adds, “These cut Christmas trees are a wonderful renewable resource, can be composted and a great way to recycle.”
- Shop for holiday gifts that don’t require batteries. Nearly 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holidays. Eventually, worn out batteries end up in the landfill where they leach toxic metals into the soil and groundwater.
- Make edible arrangements of winter veggies that grow in your winter garden. Ed added, “Edible plants can be very ornamental and beautiful inside and outdoors.”
- Let Mother Nature benefit Mother Nature by composting since 1/3 of what goes to the landfill is organics. Thank you Laura and Ed!