• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Martin Ecosystems

Baton Rouge, LA

225.292.6750
  • About
  • Applications
    • Wastewater
    • Erosion Control
    • Stormwater
    • Beautification
  • Products
    • Matrix
    • Floating Treatment Wetlands
    • Floating Breakwater
    • Vegetated EcoShield®
    • EcoBale
    • Floating Islands
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

environmental education

The Double Impact Floating Islands Are Making Along the Chicago River Waterfront

October 4, 2017

This month we’re sharing a beautification case study of our floating islands at work in Chicago, IL. Once considered a grungy area of town, the Chicago Riverwalk is now an attraction that has added value to the windy city. Five areas were constructed, including the Marina, The Cove, Water Plaza, the Jetty and the Boardwalk through an initiative to improve the environment for the enjoyment of not only Chicagoans, but also for the inhabitants beneath the surface of the water. Along the Riverwalk you will find fountains, mists and sprays for children to play in along with seating and staircases, but the Jetty has an educational focus.

The Work of Floating Islands in The Jetty

This section of the Riverwalk includes floating wetlands and water gardens along the piers, providing an opportunity for people to learn about the river’s ecology and search for fish. Because of The Jetty the aquatic species beneath the surface now have better living conditions as floating islands work diligently to remove contaminants in the water. Sasaki Associates, one of the architect organizations that led this beautification project, says that floating Islands “provide a healthy habitat for the Chicago River’s diverse native fish population, as well as educational and recreational opportunities for visitors to observe and interact with the aquatic ecosystem.” We’re connecting people with the wonder of nature by bringing nature to them through floating islands.

Beyond Beautification

Sasaki Principal and landscape architect Gina Ford of ASLA started off with the thought of creating an experimental “fish hotel”. A critical element of the aquatic ecosystem are the plants in the floating islands whose roots enable biofilm to grow and filter river water. The Chicago Riverwalk’s “unique plant palette” was designed by Terry Ryan, ASLA, of Jacobs/Ryan Associates. What is so fascinating about this case study is that floating islands are a part of an elaborate design that provides aesthetic beauty to the Chicago River but also makes a huge impact on the environment. Sasaki says, “The Jetty falls in line with understanding that truly sustainable design accounts for the whole environment—not only for humans, but also for all species of wildlife and plants potentially impacted by a design.”

The Chicago River was once polluted and uninviting but it has come quite a long way. With the construction improvements, the mindset of the riverfront of Chicago has changed and it has become yet another place for Chicagoans to gather. We’re thrilled to play a role in this project by helping educate the public, improving water quality for aquatic life, and providing beauty that invites people to the waterfront. Click here to learn more about our floating islands and how they work both below and above the surface of the water.

Here’s a behind the scenes look at the installation process of our floating islands:

Filed Under: Beautification Tagged With: environmental education, environmental solutions, environmental technology, floating islands, Martin Ecosystems, water quality, Water Treatment

Floating Island Technology: How We Use Recycled Consumer Waste to Create Sustainable Environmental Solutions

August 3, 2017


We use recycled plastic to protect shorelines, improve water quality and create wildlife habitat through our Floating Island Technology. How are we doing this? It starts with the Matrix.

Matrix-The Foundation of our Products
Matrix is the Foundation of our products. It is made from 100% recycled PET plastic drinking bottles  and the matrix fibers are thermal bonded with water based resins. It has a strong tensile and tear strength.

The matrix is an open cell structure making it ideal for biofilm attachment and sediment accumulation. It has approximately 124 square feet per cubic foot of surface area. It has also been tested by an independent lab and is non-toxic to fish.

Our Commitment to Environmental Safety
We are committed to providing the safest products. PET used in the matrix material is resistant to attack by micro-organisms. It is inert, won’t biologically degrade and will not leach, which is why it is widely preferred for packaging foods.

PET is also inherently more UV resistant than other plastics, like polypropylene, because of its molecular structure.

At Martin Ecosystems, we’ve gone a step further by coating our products with polyurea coating. The particular polyurea that we use is perfect for marine environments because it is inert, it will not hydrolyze, leach or contaminate. It provides UV protection, contains no VOCs and is direct food contact approved.

How Floating Island Technology Can Improve Our Environment:

  • Protect shorelines of lakes, ponds, and wetlands.
  • Create new marsh habitat where wetlands are eroding away.
  • Remove unwanted pollutants such as Total Suspended Solids, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), fecal coliforms, nitrogen and phosphorus in stormwater and wastewater ponds.
  • Create habitat for wildlife, water fowl, and fisheries.
  • Create picturesque waterscapes.

Shoreline Protection

Research has shown that Floating Breakwaters are most effective at attenuating short period waves, such as wind chop.

Marsh Creation

With so much wetland erosion taking place today, wildlife and water fowl are losing their native habitats. By strategically installing Floating Breakwaters, we can create new marsh habitat.

Water Treatment

Floating Treatment Wetlands provide a foundation for plants to grow hydroponically. The open and porous matrix allows roots to spread and bacteria and microbes to attach. Microbes and bacteria attach to the plant roots and matrix fibers, creating a sticky biofilm. Total Suspended Solids are trapped in the biofilm or settle to the water bottom. Bacteria and microbes digest organic matter and pollutants such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Fecal Coliform, Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

Floating Treatment Wetlands are beneficial to rural and small towns still operating lagoon systems because they can be retrofit into existing lagoons, ultimately saving towns from having to spend millions in capital and construction costs.

They require very little maintenance. Vegetation should be trimmed 2-3 times a year.

Habitat Creation

Fish congregate beneath Islands for shade and cover. Birds lay their eggs on Islands away from predators on land near by.

 

Beautify Waterscapes

Our Floating Islands beautify waterscapes.

The Chicago Riverwalk Restoration is a great example of how to incorporate Floating Islands into a waterscape for beautification.

For every square foot of matrix that we use to manufacture our products we are recycling 3 (16 oz) bottles. This prevents thousands of plastic water bottles from trashing our environment and entering our landfills.

Filed Under: Beautification, Erosion Control, Storm Water, Waste Water Tagged With: biohaven floating islands, environmental education, floating treatment wetlands, habitat conservation, Innovative Solutions, Recycling, Stormwater Treatment, Water Treatment

Martin Ecosystems wins Environmental Leadership Award

March 25, 2015

On March 25, 2015, Martin Ecosystems received an Environmental Leadership Program Award from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The award was in the small business category for Community Environmental Outreach Project. It showcased the Isle de Jean Charles Floating Island projects completed in 2011 and 2013. This is second ELP award that Martin Ecosystems has won. The previous was for the Elayn Hunt Correctional Wastewater Floating Island project.

“The Environmental Leadership Program recognizes voluntary pollution reductions by government, schools, businesses and community groups in Louisiana. Award winners have gone above and beyond regulation to combat pollution, spearhead community outreach efforts, or present educational programs that make a positive difference in the quality of Louisiana’s environment,” DEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch said.

Official Press Release

Filed Under: Erosion Control Tagged With: BioHaven® Floating Technology, Community Outreach, environmental education, Environmental Leadership Program Award, Isle de Jean Charles

Opportunity of a Lifetime

July 2, 2013

Last week I attended the Gulf of Mexico Alliance 8th Annual All Hands Meeting held in Tampa, Florida. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a partnership of the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, with a goal of significantly increasing regional collaboration to enhance the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico. The Alliance encourages collaboration among government agencies, businesses, education providers and non-governmental organizations. Priority issues addressed by the Alliance include water quality, habitat conservation, ecosystem assessment, nutrient impacts, community resilience and environmental education.

Martin Ecosystems was recognized with an EPA/Gulf Guardian Award for the Elayn Hunt Correctional Waste Water Project. Our Isle de Jean Charles project partner, Shell Oil was also recognized for that project as well.

The overwhelming theme heard in session after session is that the Gulf Coast states have been given an opportunity of a lifetime.

With the passing of The RESTORE Act, Congress has dedicated 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines from the BP oil spill to the five Gulf States to restore coastal environments and economies. Billions of dollars will now be sent to the 5 states.

For most of my lifetime, coastal land loss in Louisiana has been at crisis levels. Plans have been written and projects proposed, but neither had the funding nor the money for implementation. The RESTORE Act fines will provide the opportunity of a lifetime Louisiana has been waiting for. I hope that my state and the additional 4 Gulf Coast states work together, stick to the plan, and use this money wisely. The rest of the country will be eagerly watching us in order to see how we spend it.

Opportunities like this one are too good to waste. I just hope we make the most of it.

Filed Under: Erosion Control Tagged With: Clean Water Act, coastal restoration and protection, environmental education, Gulf of Mexico Alliance, habitat conservation, nutrient impacts, RESTORE ACT, water quality

Primary Sidebar

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Blog Categories

  • Beautification
  • Erosion Control
  • Recreation
  • Storm Water
  • Waste Water

Footer


12320 South Choctaw Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
225.292.6750
225.292.6751 – Fax
info@martinecosystems.com

SITE MAP

  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

APPLICATIONS

  • Wastewater
  • Erosion Control
  • Stormwater
  • Beautification

Latest Blog Posts

Our Floating Islands are Featured at the NEW Louisiana Children’s Museum

May 2, 2018

What is EcoShield™?

April 4, 2018

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2022 · Martin Ecosystems

Chad Martin

Chad Martin

Director of Manufacturing

“It is important that every customer is happy with their purchase. I will do what I can to make sure they are satisfied with the end result.”

A founding partner of Martin Ecosystems, Chad earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a minor in Finance from Montana State University-Billings. Prior to joining the company, he was a residential and commercial building contractor for nearly a decade.

As Director of Manufacturing, Chad’s duties include overseeing product manufacturing, purchasing, inventory, packaging and shipping. He is also responsible for Martin Ecosystems quality control and assurance program as well as corporate safety. He also coordinates and oversees all of Martin Ecosystems’ installations.

When not at work, Chad enjoys spending his time hunting and fishing.

Melanie Martin

Melanie Martin

Director of Finance and Administration

“I want to be a part of something that is bigger than myself and allows me to make a difference for future generations.”

Working alongside her family to protect and rebuild the Louisiana coastline was the reason Melanie chose to become a partner in starting Martin Ecosystems. She wanted to be a part of the movement to protect and rebuild the marshes in which she spent so much time as a child.

In her current role, she is in charge of the company’s financial operations. Before entering the financial world, Melanie received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her art and design background allows her to create specified drawings for products and job proposals.

Nicole Waguespack

Nicole Martin Waguespack

President

“I believe in doing things right the first time, being honest, and delivering what we say we are going to deliver. I want customers to be satisfied not only with our products, but also our level of service. I think customers appreciate that.”

Martin Ecosystems was founded on a desire to protect and restore the Louisiana coast, and Nicole has been a partner in the company since its beginning in 2008. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Nicole’s science background allows insight into how Martin Ecosystems products work, as well as what it takes to bring them to market. Nicole’s primary responsibility is marketing and advertising, yet she is also involved in product development and research coordination. She has been instrumental in expanding the product lines into new markets, including waste water and stormwater management. Outside of the office, Nicole loves spending time with her husband and daughters. It is her hope that Martin Ecosystems products will provide her children the opportunity to grow up experiencing the remarkable beauty of the Louisiana coast—just as she did.

Ted Martin

Ted Martin

Owner, Founder

“It is not always about making the sale, but developing relationships with those individuals who have the same goal of protecting our environment.”

Establishing and managing businesses is nothing new to Ted, whose history includes a number of successful companies with millions in annual sales. So when he saw the opportunity to manufacture and sell a product that could play a key role in coastal restoration—and work with his family to do it—he knew it was the right choice.

Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University, Ted applies his knowledge as a member of the product development team. He is involved in every aspect of the business, including product design, implementing sales strategies, managing customer relations and product promotion.

Ted credits his father for Martin Ecosystem’s philosophy of exceptional customer service which is clearly evident throughout the company. He hopes that his children will continue this legacy for many years to come.

Jason Martin

Jason Martin

Director of Operations

“I enjoy working with our customers every day. My philosophy is to treat people like I would like to be treated—with honesty and integrity.”

Jason studied business management at Montana State University-Billings before starting Martin Ecosystems with his family in 2008. His prior experience in project management and commercial sales provided him with the skills to manage the sales department at Martin Ecosystems. Jason oversees product sales, customer service, and distributor relations. He also enjoys pitching in from time to time to assist with installations, which allows him to gain additional insight into what the customer needs. Spending most of his free time fishing and hunting gives Jason an appreciation of the outdoors. Over time he has witnessed the erosion and loss of family land in South Louisiana and strongly believes BioHaven® Floating Breakwaters, EcoShield® and EcoBale would reverse the trend of Louisiana’s land loss.

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×