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2019 was an important year for X-Tirp, Inc. After 3+ years ofd designing, improving and building Ivy Ripper prototypes, we began
testing the tool on a large scale. As homeowners in the Portland Oregon area became aware of the Ivy Ripper, we were overwhelmed
with requests for help in removing English Ivy from their yards. We were able to assist 23 homeowners to reclaim their yards in 2019.
We make it possible for customers to take action to eradicate invasive species like English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry from their yards. Both fast-growing and hardy, English Ivy (Hedera Helix) is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and campuses. It normally escapes, though, and spreads into neighboring woods, wiping out competing plant life wherever it goes. Over time it can turn a lush forest into an Ivy desert. It climbs deciduous trees and, when it reaches the branches, blocks the sunlight from the new leaves in the spring. Eventually the trees weaken and die. As it spreads, it also chokes the surrounding bushes that deer and other animals depend on for forage. We are seeing an acceleration of homeowners willing to step up and take meaningful action to clear their yards of invasive species, allowing native plants to return and save their trees. This enthusiasm inspires us and is infused into our work with client
We are proud to be able to eradicate English Ivy without the use of poisons or other chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Chemicals routinely used in attempting to kill English Ivy increase the risk of harm to other flora, fauna and even humans.The Ivy Ripper is a manual garden tool, not powered. Therefore, it does not contribute to harmful emissions. We also use battery-operated tools such as leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and saws rather than gas-powered tools to further lessen the impact on our environment.
We volunteer our services to local grassroots organizations. We participated in a variety of projects with environmental non-profits,
including ecological restoration in local parks and habitat restoration. We also received approval to be part of the Professionals Directory of
the local Backyard Habitat Certification Program. This local collaboration between Portland Audubon and Columbia Land Trust provides technical assistance, financial incentives, encouragement and recognition to people that want to create natural, low-maintenancegardens that support people, wildlife, and the planet.
In 2019 X-Tirp, Inc. began using independent contractors to assist our CEO in ivy removal. We continue to seek new ways to foster interest in community engagement and promote work/life balance. Our values guide all of our decisions at X-Tirp, Inc. as we seek to build our
collective awareness and create a welcoming environment for diverse groups of people, as well as elevating our understanding of the impacts of environmental change on everyone. We look forward to hiring our first employees in 2020.
We are strengthening our commitment to the principles of the B Corpmovement. Some notable moments from this past year:
• Launched updated company values to ensure our culture remains strong
• Refreshed company website to be more reflective of our current focus
• Established Leadership Team to provide structure and guide business activities and have a regular voice in decision-making
We have big plans for 2020, including:
• Exploring B Corp certification
• Recruiting and hiring our first company employees
• Increase volunteerism to assist local parks, homeowner associations and other groups in eradicating invasive species
• Growing our learning and development opportunities