Since 1974, DeSantis Landscapes has combined local expertise with a long-standing commitment to quality, helping commercial properties thrive throughout the region.
Our Stewardship
“To do green well, you’ve got to be green,” says Dean DeSantis, second-generation owner and former Peace Corps volunteer. “Our commitment to sustainability has become the foundation of our company. It goes beyond our commitment to natural landscaping practices and into the day-to-day operations of our business.”
Stewardship is not a service line on our menu. It is the standard every crew, every bid, and every acre of maintained ground gets measured against.
DeSantis Landscapes has worked in Oregon ground since 1974, and that long view shapes everything from landscape construction and grounds maintenance to irrigation management and green infrastructure. We use green products across our programs because the watershed downhill from a commercial property is the one our families fish and swim in. Caring for the world around us is fundamental to the landscapes we build and to how we run the business behind them.
Our stewardship is easiest to understand when you can see it on your own site, and a walkthrough with a free estimate is the fastest way there. Call (503) 782-7356 or contact us online to get started.
Environmental Stewardship at DeSantis Landscapes
While composting and recycling are essential and standard practices at DeSantis Landscapes, our commitment to the environment goes much further. We operate with deep respect for our local ecosystem, beginning at our own headquarters, where rooftop solar panels offset 15% of the energy used at our Salem office.
In the field, our work focuses strictly on ecological health. We design, build, and maintain green infrastructure, including stormwater management systems; bioretention cells; and green roofs, specifically engineered to filter runoff before it reaches the Willamette River. Furthermore, we keep organic waste out of landfills by composting yard debris on-site, returning vital nutrients directly to the properties it came from.
The EarthSense Philosophy
EarthSense is the name we give to our entire landscaping system. We believe climate-positive landscaping cannot be treated as a single line item on a property budget. True environmental stewardship only happens when plants, soil, water, waste, and equipment all pull in the exact same direction.
Our systemic approach to sustainable property care includes:
- Native Willamette Valley plantings. We utilize local flora that naturally require less water as they establish and mature.
- DeSanTEA compost tea. Rather than forcing artificial plant growth with synthetic chemicals, we brew this organic inoculant to nourish the soil's underlying biology.
- Campus-wide organic management. We successfully execute 100% organic maintenance programs across massive commercial properties to support a healthy local ecosystem.
For commercial property managers, the EarthSense system translates directly into clear documentation and fewer operational surprises. Maintaining third-party validations such as Salmon-Safe, EcoBiz, and EarthWISE certifications provides the precise reporting language needed to satisfy ownership boards and LEED consultants. And, because our crews are deeply familiar with strict municipal regulations like Portland’s Title 11 tree code, we keep permitting conversations short and help you avoid costly regulatory delays.
Social & Community Stewardship
True stewardship extends past the soil and water to encompass the people living in our environment. We believe in a community-driven approach to lands, actively redirecting surplus food to local families through Urban Gleaners, supporting the Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center, and teaching watershed basics in local classrooms.
We continually seek out partners who share our vision to execute meaningful, restorative projects across the region. To create educational career pathways, our cooperative partnership with Portland Community College provides horticulture students with hands-on training and a clear route into the trade.
Our dedication to the region is deeply personal. Today, we proudly maintain the extensive gardens at Mount Angel Abbey, caring for the same grounds our family patriarch meticulously tended generations ago.
Every commitment here is backed by an insured team and a warranty that outlasts the installation date. Ask what our stewardship would look like on your property by calling (503) 782-7356 or contact us online.
Creating Beauty. Respecting Nature.
Experience the DeSantis Difference
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50 Years of Institutional KnowledgeWe've managed Oregon's most demanding commercial properties through every economic cycle, every season, every curveball. That experience is irreplaceable.
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One Accountable Contact
Your dedicated account manager knows your property, your standards, and your preferences — and they pick up the phone when you call.
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Transparent Reporting You Can Share
Site logs, service reports, and photos are available anytime through your client portal — making your next ownership report easy.
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Sustainability Credentials That Matter
Salmon-Safe and EcoBiz certified. For tenants, residents, and corporate ESG requirements, we help you tell the right story.
Relationships Built on Trust
Hear from The Businesses and Communities We've Proudly Served
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"The experience was positive from Day 1."This is a company that really cares about the customer and takes pride in what they do! We are so pleased with Luke and his crews, and give them our highest recommendation possible.Don B.
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"We would enthusiastically recommend DeSantis."We cannot say enough positive about the quality of their work or the commitment of their employees. The maintenance services they provide have been excellent, and all work is coordinated by a very talented and skilled account manager.Jeanne C.
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"I couldn't be happier with DeSantis Landscapes!"From the initial bid process through the final day of construction, the team was spot on professional. Always on time, always cleaned up at the end of the day and consistently showed pride and respect for the project!T.B.
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"Outstanding."Their designer Ryan Kauffman was great to work with. He spent all the time we needed working to create a fabulous space using his own design expertise but also including our ideas. We would not hesitate to hire DeSantis for any future projects.Pat C.
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"Great communication."Fabulous job on our fountain and our back patio.Wendy K.
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"Our organization could not be happier with the company."For the last few years DeSantis Landscape has maintained the six-acre private park of the Abiqua Heights Homeowners Association. Their work has been exemplary. Our organization could not be happier with the company.Todd F.
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"Top rated workmanship."We absolutely love this company and crew! Top rated workmanship, respectful and tidy. A every reasonable price, and fantastic outcome for landscaping overhaul of our yard. Everything on time, crew always on time.Lynn B.
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"Always seem go the “extra mile.”"DeSantis landscapes Crew @ Villa Candalaria in Salem, today always seem go the "extra mile" leaf blowing our entrance way! Sure appreciate your thoughtfulness.Michael W.
