Despite mankind’s intellect and ingenuity, nature itself or more specifically, plants, may very well be the most obvious solution to current and future environmental challenges. In fact, one of the simplest ways to help the planet and reduce CO2 levels is by planting more trees, a notion that Oregon’s nursery industry is embracing wholeheartedly.

Consistently among the top three producers of nursery stock in the country, Oregon's nursery industry has seized the opportunity to produce plants that meet the needs of eco-conscious landscapers, builders, and developers. In fact, the Oregon Association of Nurseries, a nonprofit trade association celebrating its 75th year, is enhancing its focus on sustainability while creating a competitive advantage for the industry.

“The industry is sustainable any way you look at it,” Tom McNabb, of Yule Tree Farms and President of OAN, said. “I don’t know why we’ve missed the boat (informing the public) for all these years.”

As an association, McNabb says there are a number of individuals and nurseries that are particularly green and OAN is bringing others up to speed.

OAN is educating its members about sustainability and good stewardship, including keeping water sources clean and healthy, recycling pots, and efficient trucking and delivery. Fisher Farms in Gaston is one of the OAN member nurseries that champions earth-friendly practices.

“I don’t think there is anything else we can do at our nursery to make it more sustainable when it comes to the environment and energy,” says Bob Terry, Owner of Fisher Farms and Past President of OAN.

Fisher Farms recycles, without chemicals, 100 percent of their water, uses biodiesel in all their equipment, and composts, among other efforts. Terry says that it’s largely a personal philosophy but admits to some youthful influence.

“When my kids were young, they insisted everything be recycled,” Terry explains. “Now, if it’s recyclable, we recycle it. It’s part of our responsibility for being here on this earth.”

Northwoods Nursery Inc. in Molalla is another OAN member that is setting the sustainability standard.

“We are the first salmon-safe certified nursery in Oregon,” says Laura O’Leary, Northwoods’ Sustainability Director. “We are very proud of that.”

Northwoods obtained the Salmon-safe certificating mainly through its “green” field practices such as drip irrigation, riparian buffer zones, and low-toxicity chemicals. O’Leary says they also harvest rainwater, recycle, compost, and they just received a federal grant for 25 percent of the cost to install radiant in-floor heating in their greenhouses, which will result in an energy savings of up to 50 percent.

“We are doing a lot,” O’Leary says, “but we are also investigating other options to keep moving forward in future.”

While OAN and its member nurseries are busy being green, they are setting their sights even higher.

“We will be looking at other things we can do and defining what the word sustainability means to us as an industry,” McNabb says. “We are going to set some goals and go out and reach them.”