John O'Conner (GM) Ltd

Big smiles from the team at the Pro Landscaper Sustainability and Biodiversity awards. Huge congratulations to Peter N. for being shortlisted after such a short time in this new role. A big future ahead!

With the cooler weather, it will become more likely that #rodents will try to gain access to your property for food and shelter. It is surprising how small an entry point they can use! Can you tell the difference between a mouse infestation and a rat infestation? The presence of droppings can provide clues about the size of the animal that occupied the space. Typically, mouse droppings are small, measuring less than half an inch in length and look similar to a grain of rice. In contrast, rat droppings are larger can be larger than half an inch in length. If you are in need of advice or preventative measures, our #pestcontrol team is here to help: https://lnkd.in/eHPmnyf2

Peter N., Sustainability Officer, shares his thoughts on the mathematics of biodiversity in his latest blog: "Maths, metrics and #biodiversity: there are naturally daunting moments when changing careers, which I confess triggers many an internal voice, leaving me occasionally wondering what on earth was I thinking!? And so, I admit that getting my teeth into metrics has been one of those moments. Recently, I have attended some very constructive workshops on biodiversity metrics from the UK Business & Biodiversity Forum and earlier a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) workshop organised by Pro Landscaper. Instinctively, the shivers of those mathematical insecurities and my ‘greenness’ come into play, but they really shouldn’t." Read more about his experiences: https://lnkd.in/eKud-QnA

Are you considering a new #groundsmaintenance or #pestcontrol contract for 2025? It is never too early to reach out to alternative providers and have a stress-free, no obligation conversation about your needs. A good contract should be completely flexible, offering you the chance to tailor it to the specific services you, your people and your property require. Our team is very happy to have an initial conversation with you without any pressure. Give us a call today to speak to one of our experts on 0800 030 9114, or email us on info@johnoconner.co.uk. www.johnoconner.co.uk

Peter N. has been recognised as ‘Best Student’ for his outstanding performance in the City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment from the College of Animal Welfare, where he recently completed his diploma with distinction. This award serves as a celebration not only of academic excellence but of Peter’s dedication to preserving the countryside and supporting local #conservation efforts. Peter said, “These topics have had a real impact on my understanding of #environmental conservation and helped me make meaningful contributions to local #biodiversity projects, as well as those that are underway at our Head Office. I am passionate about making a real, tangible difference to the world around us and this study has allowed me to deepen my understanding even further." https://lnkd.in/e5ZxtfnH

Our #arboriculture team assisted the Wiltshire Air Ambulance recently to undertake some essential vegetation management at their helipad to reduce risk to flights taking off and landing. The team based in Wiltshire, lead by Arboriculture Contracts Manager James Cockram, carried out selective removal and reduction of trees and vegetation encroaching onto the helipad to ensure this vital service could continue to run safely and efficiently. We were delighted to complete this work free of charge to the local charity and in turn they will be attending one of our safety stand down days to provide some emergency and trauma first aid training for our operational staff. This work was especially significant for both James and our Arboriculture Apprentice Luke Cartwright (pictured below with the pilot) as both have been in the care of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance through personal accidents in the past.   James said "Wiltshire Air Ambulance is an important front line lifesaving charity and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to help." Wiltshire Air Ambulance safety and ground operations manager Richard Miller said: “We cannot thank the team from John O’Connor Arboriculture enough for their efforts in clearing all the trees on our FATO. By donating their time to undertake this work, they have saved the charity significant costs and, most importantly, ensured the area is safe for our helicopter when it returns from its annual service.” Find out more about our arboriculture services here: https://lnkd.in/eSuiCnj8

Today is #WorldHabitatDay, a day to reflect on all of the ways that we can contribute to a healthier planet and protect the ecosystems around us. At John O’Conner, we understand the importance of sustainable, resilient habitats in supporting people and wildlife. Our expert #groundsmaintenance team is always at hand to advise our contracted customers how they can meet environmental and biodiversity targets as part of the management of their outdoor space, and at Head Office, we certainly practice what we preach! Our Sustainability Officer, Peter N. has been running a 'Biodiversity Boost' project, which has been ensuring our local habitat thrives: https://lnkd.in/en9Cghb5

The temperature is starting to drop and the days are getting shorter. Are you cutting it fine to organise your #wintermaintenance contract? Keeping salt bins filled, responsive gritting and ad-lib snow clearance are the basis of a good winter maintenance contract. Having one in place ensures that whenever there are adverse conditions, you will have peace of mind knowing you have acted responsibly. Handing over responsibility to an expert team will also save your people the time, energy and risk of having to undertake any gritting or clearance themselves, keeping them safe and able to focus on their day-to-day tasks. You can read more about our winter maintenance contracts here: https://lnkd.in/eNfq76tj

Only a couple of weeks to go until the Pro Landscaper Sustainability and Biodiversity awards. Our Sustainability Officer, Peter N., has been nominated and we wish him all the luck in the world - very deserved!

A great photo of Account Manager Ashley Green and Business Development #Apprentice Lenny Ball out in Essex for a trophy site tender visit. Ashley says, "At John O'Conner we are extremely passionate about apprenticeships. Lenny is our first ever BD Apprentice and it’s a privilege to play a small part in his mentoring." Find out more about apprenticeships here: https://lnkd.in/esZNXn5K