1. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Robert Schutzki and Elise Tripp Department of Horticulture Michigan State University

2. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Sustainability Sustainability Meeting the needs of todays population without diminishing the ability of future populations to meet their needs. Meeting the needs of todays population without diminishing the ability of future populations to meet their needs. United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (1987)

3. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Needs Needs Political Political Economic Economic Ecological Ecological Social Social

4. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Needs Needs Allocation and use of natural resources Allocation and use of natural resources Preservation of biological systems function over time Preservation of biological systems function over time

5. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Sustainability Sustainability Resource Sufficiency Resource Sufficiency Functional Integrity Functional Integrity Non-substantive Non-substantive Thompson (2006) Agricultural Sustainability: What it is and what it is not Thompson (2006) Agricultural Sustainability: What it is and what it is not www.smep.msu.edu/docume nts/sustainabilitywww.smep.msu.edu/docume nts/sustainability_Thompson.pdf www.smep.msu.edu/docume nts/sustainability

6. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Resource Sufficiency Resource Sufficiency Utilization of Resources Utilization of Resources Available Resources Available Resources Predicted availability based on utilization Predicted availability based on utilization Nature or characteristic of the resource Nature or characteristic of the resource Renewal, Regenerative, Reclaimable Renewal, Regenerative, Reclaimable

7. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Functional Integrity Functional Integrity Self-regenerating system Self-regenerating system The inability of a system to reproduce itself is considered unsustainable The inability of a system to reproduce itself is considered unsustainable

8. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Non-substantive Non-substantive Moral judgment Moral judgment Value judgments Value judgments Interests and Biases Interests and Biases

9. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet and Profits Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet and Profits Organizational and Societal Success Organizational and Societal Success Financial Gain and Stability Financial Gain and Stability Environmental and Social Performance Environmental and Social Performance Elkington (1994), Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21 st Century Business Elkington (1994), Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21 st Century Business

10. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet and Profits Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet and Profits Energy Consumption Energy Consumption Waste Generation Waste Generation Use of Resources Use of Resources

11. Sustainable Landscapes

12. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape What is a Sustainable Landscape? What is a Sustainable Landscape?

13. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Landscapes Preservation, Conservation, Restoration Preservation, Conservation, Restoration Protecting Natural Systems Protecting Natural Systems Maintaining Natural Function Maintaining Natural Function Environmental Quality Environmental Quality

14. Sustainable Landscape Energy Consumption Energy Consumption Waste Generation Waste Generation Use of Resources Use of Resources Self-regenerating Self-regenerating Environmental Contribution Environmental Contribution

15. Sustainable Landscapes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Green Building Council U.S. Green Building Council BuildingGreen Inc. BuildingGreen Inc.

16. Sustainable Landscapes

17. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Sustainable Landscape Development Sustainable Landscape Development LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, USGBC LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, USGBC Sustainable Sites Initiative, ASLA & LBJ Wildflower Center Sustainable Sites Initiative, ASLA & LBJ Wildflower Center LAND Code (Land and Natural Development), Balmori and Benoit, 2004 LAND Code (Land and Natural Development), Balmori and Benoit, 2004 Low Impact Development Low Impact Development Smart Growth Smart Growth

18. Conventional Landscapes

22. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Landscape Development Landscape Development Design Design Construction Construction Management Management

23. Conventional Landscapes Minimize resources required to construct and maintain the landscape Minimize resources required to construct and maintain the landscape Utilize resources efficiently Utilize resources efficiently Utilize renewal resources Utilize renewal resources Maximize internal cycling of energy and materials Maximize internal cycling of energy and materials

24. Conventional Landscapes Minimize waste outputs Minimize waste outputs Construct a dynamic biological system Construct a dynamic biological system Construct a built ecosystem that provides natural functions Construct a built ecosystem that provides natural functions

25. Sustainability in Conventional Landscapes comes from: Plants Plants Soil Soil Water Water Atmosphere Atmosphere

26. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Plants: Plants: Every plant performs a function in the landscape Every plant performs a function in the landscape

27. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Right Plant, Right Place Right Plant, Right Place Function – User Benefits Function – User Benefits Aesthetics – Curb Appeal Aesthetics – Curb Appeal Site Conditions – Environmental Influences Site Conditions – Environmental Influences Management – Required Maintenance Management – Required Maintenance

28. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Site Appropriate Plant Selection (SAPS) Site Appropriate Plant Selection (SAPS) Definition: Selecting plant material adapted to a site to perform natural functions, resulting in interactions within a community.

29. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Goals of SAPS: Goals of SAPS: Establish/replace natural functions Establish/replace natural functions Minimize inputs and outputs Minimize inputs and outputs –water –fertilizer –pesticides –labor pruning pruning mowing mowing

30. Turfgrasses of Michigan: Characteristics and Adaptation Turfgrass Species Recommended -----------------Relative Tolerance----------------- -----------------Relative Tolerance----------------- Mowing Height NitrogenRegimeIrrigationRequirement HeatColdDroughtShadeWear(inches) Per year Kentucky bluegrass YesFairGoodMediumPoorMedium 2 - 4 Medium to High (2 to 4 lbs. N) Yes Tall Fescue YesGoodPoor Excellen t GoodGood 2.5 - 4 Low to Medium (1 to 2 lb.s N) Seldom Perennial Ryegrass YesPoor Very Poor FairFairGood 1.5 - 2.5 Medium to High (2 to 4 lbs. N) Yes Annual Ryegrass Yes* Very Poor PoorPoor 1.5 - 2 Medium to High (2 to 4 lbs. N) Yes Fine Fescues Sheep, Creeping Red, Hard YesFairMediumGood Excellen t Poor 1.5 - 3 Low (< 2 lb.s N) Seldom ZoysiagrassNo Excellen t Medium Good 0.5 - 1.5 Low to Medium (1 to 2 lb.s N) Seldom BuffalograssNo Excellen t Medium Very Poor Fair 2 or > Low (< 2 lb.s N) Seldom BermudagrassNo Excellen t PoorGoodPoor 0.5 - 1.5 High (6 lbs. N or >) (6 lbs. N or >)Yes * Only as a temporary cover during establishment.

31. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Soils Soils Soil Quality Soil Quality

32. Soil Quality Soil functions to : Soil functions to : –Sustain plant growth –Sustain environmental quality –Provide for plant, animal, and human health. The terms Soil Quality and Soil Health describe the soils ability to perform the above functions. The terms Soil Quality and Soil Health describe the soils ability to perform the above functions.

33. Assessment of Soil Quality Not one measurable parameter. Not one measurable parameter. Soil Quality Indicators: Soil Quality Indicators: –Physical properties Soil Texture Soil Texture Bulk Density – weight per unit volume Bulk Density – weight per unit volume Rooting/soil depth Rooting/soil depth Water infiltration/conductivity Water infiltration/conductivity Water Holding Capacity Water Holding Capacity Structure/Aggregate Stability Structure/Aggregate Stability

34. Soil Quality Indicators Soil Chemical Properties Soil Chemical Properties –pH –Electrical Conductivity (EC) –Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) –Soil Organic Matter (SOM) –Mineralizable N –Exchangeable Cations (nutrients)

35. Soil Quality Indicators Soil Biological Properties Soil Biological Properties –Organic Nitrogen –Organic Carbon –Microbial Biomass –Macroorganisms

36. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Water Water Water Quantity Water Quantity Water Quality Water Quality Soil Conservation Soil Conservation Plant Management Plant Management

37. Movement Toward Water Conservation Reduction of potable water for irrigation use Reduction of potable water for irrigation use Demand for increased irrigation system efficiency Demand for increased irrigation system efficiency The cost of water The cost of water –Infrastructure limitations –Rising water / sewer costs –Increasing residential and commercial development

38. Environmentally Sustainable Landscapes Demand more from the irrigation designer Demand more from the irrigation designer Requires use of efficient products and proper installation. Requires use of efficient products and proper installation. Shifting role of irrigation contractor to water manager Shifting role of irrigation contractor to water manager Requires better educated individuals. Requires better educated individuals.

39. U. S. EPA WaterSense www.epa.gov/watersense Certification programs for irrigation professionals Design (IAs CID program has been approved) Installation (IAs CIC program has been approved) Auditing Labeling of irrigation products (coming soon) Irrigation Controllers Drip irrigation

40. Advancements in Irrigation Efficiency Saving Water in the Landscape This presentation will probably involve audience discussion, which will create action items. Use PowerPoint to keep track of these action items during your presentation In Slide Show, click on the right mouse button Select Meeting Minder Select the Action Items tab Type in action items as they come up Click OK to dismiss this box This will automatically create an Action Item slide at the end of your presentation with your points entered.

41. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Atmosphere Atmosphere Carbon Sequestration Carbon Sequestration Heat Island Heat Island Pollution Pollution

42. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Trees absorb carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming along with other gases that add to urban pollution. Trees absorb carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming along with other gases that add to urban pollution. The American Forest organization determined that tree cover in San Antonio, Texas is saving $70 million a year in ecological services. The American Forest organization determined that tree cover in San Antonio, Texas is saving $70 million a year in ecological services.

43. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape U. S. Department of Energy estimated that three properly placed trees can save between $100 and $250 in annual heating and cooling costs. U. S. Department of Energy estimated that three properly placed trees can save between $100 and $250 in annual heating and cooling costs. Trees shading an outdoor air conditioning unit can increase its efficiency by 10%. Trees shading an outdoor air conditioning unit can increase its efficiency by 10%.

44. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape One tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions. One tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions. One acre of trees has the ability to remove 13 tons of particles and gases annually. One acre of trees has the ability to remove 13 tons of particles and gases annually. Appropriate tree placement can reduce household energy consumption for heating and cooling up to 25%. Appropriate tree placement can reduce household energy consumption for heating and cooling up to 25%.

45. Sustainable Approaches to the Conventional Landscape Bring together the various disciplines and professionals in landscape development Bring together the various disciplines and professionals in landscape development Employ sound science, current technology, and best management practices Employ sound science, current technology, and best management practices

46. Conventional Landscapes