Who we are.
Our Story
The Hydroseeding Process: We Created a New Standard
In 1968, the County of Los Angeles passed a law requiring any cut slope over four feet high to be seeded for erosion control. There was only one problem — nobody knew how to make Seed stick to the side of a mountain that was hundreds of feet tall and hard as concrete.
When Jay Selby Sr. took on this challenge, he had no idea he was launching a company that would literally re-shape much of the landscape of California and northern Nevada. By combining his expertise in construction with his agricultural background, Jay Sr. helped create the process of hydroseeding, now a standard practice used worldwide.
New Challenges Bring New Solutions
That was just the first of many innovative environmental solutions developed over more than half a century by Selby Soil Erosion Control, now known as SSEC. As concern for the environment grew, new solutions were needed to meet new challenges and comply with expanding legislation. SSEC has responded every time by finding new uses for existing resources, adapting equipment, or creating entirely new solutions from scratch. We’ve also developed a reputation for swift response to wildfires, dam breaks, oil spills and other disasters — preventing further erosion and sediment runoff and restoring life and vitality to areas devastated by catastrophic events.
Passing the Torch
Our founder, Jay Selby Sr. had a vision for his son Jay Selby Jr – to pass the torch and become the best hydroseeding company in California. Through the years, our family run business continues to grow with great people, new locations and innovative solutions that extend far beyond hydroseeding. While each job brings unique challenges, our large, experienced team operates like a family. We work together to ensure that you get the personal attention and support you need for every job, and our ownership is just a phone call away.
More Than a Hydroseeding Company
Take a drive through the territories we serve, and you’ll see the impact of our work all around. Rocks and debris won’t fall on your windshield, thanks to more than 50 years of hydroseeding. The road you drive on won’t be covered in dust and sand, because we’ve used Aircraft to seed the sand dunes that used to blow across the highway. Enjoy fresh water at roadside stops, free from the sulfur that we’ve kept out of rivers and streams (saving thousands of salmon and other wildlife in the process). You may find the view more attractive as well, because we’ve encouraged many of our clients to mix wildflower seed into the landscape.
Leading an Environmental Movement to Keep Your Projects Profitable
More than 50 years after our founding, SSEC remains on the ground floor of new regulations, laws, and practices. We continue to lead an environmental movement to keep your projects productive and profitable without devastating earth’s wildlife and environment. To meet this goal, we’re constantly innovating new processes and equipment and we’re committed to engineering best practices that assist you in the most cost-effective ways to complete your project, even in an emergency.
