Natural Capital
Natural Capital Program
The Ray's Natural Capital Program is transforming corporate and highway landscapes into vibrant powerhouses for sustainability and environmental resilience.
We strategically implement nature-based solutions, creating living infrastructure like pollinator meadows, bioswales, and native plantings. These aren't just aesthetic enhancements; they're vital components that deliver tangible benefits, including reduced maintenance costs, flood mitigation, enhanced soil, and improved water quality.
Our vision is to evolve passive landscapes into active, thriving habitats that champion ecosystem health, boost carbon sequestration, and foster community well-being. We're turning forgotten spaces into ecological assets, proving that environmental stewardship and economic efficiency go hand-in-hand to protect biodiversity.
Pollinator Meadows
Pollinator meadows offer critical ecological and economic benefits by supporting pollinators, including monarch butterflies and bees. In addition to enhancing habitat, pollinator meadows improve soil health, increase water infiltration, and reduce erosion through deep-rooted vegetation.
They also require less mowing and chemical input than traditional turfgrass, making them a low-maintenance, sustainable landscaping solution. Planting pollinator-friendly habitats in underutilized landscapes enhances ecosystem health, promotes biodiversity, and enables resilience.
Slope Stabilization
Slope stabilization prevents soil erosion, protects water quality, enhances vegetation growth, and promotes wildlife habitat for pollinators. Without stabilization, soil erosion can degrade the slope, clog nearby waterways, and contribute to flooding and water pollution. A stable slope allows plants to establish and grow, which in turn strengthens the soil with roots and improves the aesthetic and ecological value of the area.
Bioswales
Bioswales effectively manage stormwater runoff and protect water quality through natural filtration. They help mitigate flooding, support wildlife, and enhance biodiversity. Bioswales are more cost-effective and sustainable compared to traditional concrete storm drains.
Fines (Mineral blanket)
Incorporating fines into soil can reduce the need for herbicide applications by naturally suppressing weeds. Fines help improve moisture retention and nutrient availability, creating favorable conditions for desirable vegetation to outcompete invasive species. As a result, fewer weeds emerge, minimizing the need for chemical herbicides for control. Additionally, reducing herbicide use lowers environmental impact, supports pollinator health, and contributes to resilient land management practices.
PheNode Monitoring
PheNode technology provides real-time, comprehensive environmental data to optimize agriculture, research, and habitat restoration. Their scalable, modular design integrates diverse sensors for customized data acquisition and analysis. The Ray utilizes PheNodes to monitor soil health for optimal planting and soil enrichment.
On The Ray Highway
Demonstrating the significant ecological and economic benefits of reimagining roadside landscapes, a key initiative within the program is the experimental pollinator meadows on The Ray Highway at exits 6 and 14, as well as at the Georgia Visitor Information Center.
These vibrant meadows, featuring a diverse mix of native wildflowers, grasses, and groundcovers, provide a beautiful seasonal display for travelers while also serving as living laboratories. Researchers utilize these plots to study the ecosystem services provided by native, perennial plantings compared to traditional turfgrass roadsides.
While turf grass management requires intensive maintenance, including the removal of invasive species and frequent mowing, these pollinator meadows offer a more sustainable and ecologically valuable approach to roadside management.