Sustainable Landscaping
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Programs
A number of programs have been developed by various organizations to encourage and support habitat preservation, creation, and restoration in the landscape. The National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society sponsor two well-known national programs: the NWF Backyard Habitat program (http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife) and the Audubon Society Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses (http://acspgolf.auduboninternational.org/).
BACKYARD HABITAT PROGRAM
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) encourages homeowners to transform their backyards into habitat for wildlife through their Backyard Habitat program. The certification process is simple, and can be performed online or through the mail. Five criteria have been identified by the NWF: creating a food source for wildlife, providing water, cover, and a place to raise young, and using sustainable gardening practices. Sustainable gardening practices include reducing or eliminating the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, planting native species of flowers, shrubs, and trees, using compost and mulch, and reducing turf areas that require mowing.
AUDUBON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE SANCTUARY PROGRAM
The Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (CSP) encourages golf course owners and operators to "take stock of environmental resources and potential liabilities, and then develop an environmental plan" for the specific site.
Audubon's CSP provides support with the various components of the program, which includes environmental stewardship, wildlife habitat management, reducing chemical usage, water conservation, water quality, and outreach and education. This final component often provides a means for the public to access the golf course for field trips, nature walks, and other non-golfing activities.
SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE
Another program that is currently being developed for the landscape profession is called the Sustainable Sites Initiative (http://www.sustainablesites.org/). The SSI is a joint cooperative effort of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the United States Botanic Garden. It is patterned after the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy-Efficient Design) program for building construction. Points are being developed for various areas of concern in the design, construction, implementation, and management of landscaped areas.
The SSI Program is currently under development, but guidelines and performance benchmarks were drafted in 2008 and a pdf version is available at the SSI website. The rating system is targeted for completion in 2011. Guidelines and performance benchmarks are completely voluntary. They apply to landscape design, construction, and maintenance practices.
The Initiative uses this definition for sustainability: "Land practices 'that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.'" The United Nations Brundtland Commission is often quoted as having coined the original definition for sustainability (http://www.worldinbalance.net/intagreements/1987-brundtland.php).
The Sustainable Sites Initiative incorporates many of the same practices included in the NWF Backyard Habitat Program and the Audubon Society CSP, but addresses the additional area of Social Equitability. Points are awarded based on the "Ecosystem Services" they provide. The twelve ecosystem services listed in the Benchmarks document are: global climate regulation, local climate regulation, air and water cleansing, water supply and regulation, erosion and sediment control, hazard mitigation, pollination, habitat functions, waste decomposition and treatment, human health and well-being benefits, food and renewable non-food products, and cultural benefits.
Numerous case studies are presented at the Sustainable Sites official website, including 4 acres of the 35 acre Queens Botanical Garden in Queens, New York. One objective of this site is to retain or recycle all rain water that falls uppon it. No potable water is used in the various pools, channels, and fountains in the garden.
BACKYARD HABITAT PROGRAM
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) encourages homeowners to transform their backyards into habitat for wildlife through their Backyard Habitat program. The certification process is simple, and can be performed online or through the mail. Five criteria have been identified by the NWF: creating a food source for wildlife, providing water, cover, and a place to raise young, and using sustainable gardening practices. Sustainable gardening practices include reducing or eliminating the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, planting native species of flowers, shrubs, and trees, using compost and mulch, and reducing turf areas that require mowing.
AUDUBON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE SANCTUARY PROGRAM
The Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (CSP) encourages golf course owners and operators to "take stock of environmental resources and potential liabilities, and then develop an environmental plan" for the specific site.
Audubon's CSP provides support with the various components of the program, which includes environmental stewardship, wildlife habitat management, reducing chemical usage, water conservation, water quality, and outreach and education. This final component often provides a means for the public to access the golf course for field trips, nature walks, and other non-golfing activities.
SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE
Another program that is currently being developed for the landscape profession is called the Sustainable Sites Initiative (http://www.sustainablesites.org/). The SSI is a joint cooperative effort of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the United States Botanic Garden. It is patterned after the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy-Efficient Design) program for building construction. Points are being developed for various areas of concern in the design, construction, implementation, and management of landscaped areas.
The SSI Program is currently under development, but guidelines and performance benchmarks were drafted in 2008 and a pdf version is available at the SSI website. The rating system is targeted for completion in 2011. Guidelines and performance benchmarks are completely voluntary. They apply to landscape design, construction, and maintenance practices.
The Initiative uses this definition for sustainability: "Land practices 'that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.'" The United Nations Brundtland Commission is often quoted as having coined the original definition for sustainability (http://www.worldinbalance.net/intagreements/1987-brundtland.php).
The Sustainable Sites Initiative incorporates many of the same practices included in the NWF Backyard Habitat Program and the Audubon Society CSP, but addresses the additional area of Social Equitability. Points are awarded based on the "Ecosystem Services" they provide. The twelve ecosystem services listed in the Benchmarks document are: global climate regulation, local climate regulation, air and water cleansing, water supply and regulation, erosion and sediment control, hazard mitigation, pollination, habitat functions, waste decomposition and treatment, human health and well-being benefits, food and renewable non-food products, and cultural benefits.
Numerous case studies are presented at the Sustainable Sites official website, including 4 acres of the 35 acre Queens Botanical Garden in Queens, New York. One objective of this site is to retain or recycle all rain water that falls uppon it. No potable water is used in the various pools, channels, and fountains in the garden.
