SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE

Some Characteristics of a Sustainable Landscape *

• A level of biological diversity of plants, animals and other organisms, appropriate to healthy site-specific ecosystem structure and function. Biodiversity is based both in the diversity of taxa and, within a taxon, healthy genetic diversity.



• A diversity of habitats, as appropriate to the area, to support diverse organisms and foster diverse human experiences.



• Conservation of flora and fauna through:
  • the use of endemic plant community models;
  • increased (through not exclusive) use of native species which are adapted to the region, cold hardy and rugged;
  • sound management of exotic invasive plant and animal species which are aggressively invasive;
  • during a new installation, minimal site disturbance and preferential re-use of existing plant materials; and
  • careful selection, siting, and proper installation of new plant material, including proper after-care, to reduce such problems as transplant shock, long-term stress, on-going maintenance, and mortality.



• A minimum of high-maintenance lawn areas, hence lower maintenance requirements, including reduced mowing, raking, liming, fertilization, irrigation, aeration, soil amendments, pesticide application, etc. Reduction in lawn areas will also reduce costs of maintenance.



• Reliance on integrated pest management to maintain pest species below action thresholds with minimal pesticide use.



• Low use of toxic and/or hazardous materials, and lower use of chemicals, petroleum products and fuels in general; reduction in use of rock-salt and related chemicals for snow and ice removal operations.



• Conservation of water by reducing surface and subsurface runoff through preservation and use of dense vegetation and through water detention and retention areas; reduction in storm drains and shunting of water off site; reduction in impervious paving serfaces, increase in porous surfaces.



• Conservation of soil through erosion control, retaining organic matter on site (grass clippings, chopped leaves), and reducing soil pollutants (salt, petroleum products, toxic chemicals, heavy metals...)



• Protection of vegetation and soils during construction projects and during routine maintenance.



• Education and interpretation of the sustainable "learnscape" across the continuum of curriculum, from formal classroom to outdoor lab work to informal walks across campus.



• Preferential use of local materials (stone and wood products, plants materials, etc.) renewable and recyclable materials and materials with a small "ecological footprint" or "life-cycle cost".



• Identification of the sustainable landscape with sense of place.

* A sustainable landscape is one which is ecologically healthy, economically viable and contributes to human cultural experiences and the human good (education, aesthetic appreciation, sense of place, equal access, and, understanding of the human niche and the human role in natural systems).

Sustainable Landscape Group Office of Sustainability Programs 107 Nesmith Hall University of New Hampshire Durham, NH 03824 (603) 862-2542

New England Ecological Garden Putnam Hall University of New Hampshire Durham, NH 03824 (603) 862-1091

For more information on the Office of Sustainability at UNH their website is at www.sustainableunh.unh.edu