1. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership U.S. Forest Service Natural Resources Conservation Service Agricultural Research Service Agriculture Marketing Service Departmental Administration Matt Arnn, USFS Bob Snieckus, NRCS

2. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Jamie Whitten Building Grounds

3. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Jamie Whitten Building Grounds Six acre site Current Landscaping : Mix of mature & newly planted trees Native and invasive shrubs Sprawling ground covers and lawn Planting beds (spring bulbs, annuals and cold weather bloomers) Poor landscape plan Heavy amount of asphalt paved parking areas Outdated Landscape Contract 3

4. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Storm water runoff connected directly to the District Sewer System

5. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership $240k has been spent annually to maintain the grounds, including the use of 30,000 gallons of water.

6. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Goals of Sustainable Landscape Partnership Reduce Environmental Impacts Demonstration site for sustainable landscaping Learning opportunity for landscape contractors Improve the appearance of USDA grounds Showcase for other public institutions Provide cost sharing opportunities for developing & implementing sustainable landscaping practices Highlight the various missions of USDA 6

7. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Why integrate sustainable landscape practices to treat stormwater? Better infiltration, pollutant removal, stabilization, habitat, reduced mowing costs, landscaping value (beautification) Implementation of sustainable landscape practices has been limited - lack of collaboration among landscape architects and stormwater engineers

8. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Stormwater projects can reduce water quantity, improve water quality…and be beautiful.

9. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Good Stormwater Practices = Water Amenities

10. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

11. Stormwater practices can be resources for people…

12. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership 12th street green street, portland oregon Source: city of Portland

13. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership www.fs.fed.us/recreation

14. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

15. National Park Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Bureau of Land Management U. S. Botanical Gardens National Arboretum D.C. Government National Capital Planning Commission American Society of Landscape Architects Nation Arbor Day Foundation Nature Conservancy Casey Trees Endowment Fund Low Impact Development Center Alliance for Community Trees National Mall Trust Natural Resources Design Morgan State University University of Maryland Catholic University Prescott College Virginia Tech George Washington University Participants

16. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership 16

17. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Whitten Building Zones

18. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership Northeast Zone Rethink memorial grove Engage children and visitors Connect to the National Mall Demonstrate USDA mission 18 Jefferson Drive and 12th Street

19. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

22. Concept Plan Reduce stormwater runoff with raingardens and bioretention practices. Create new habitat with pollinator gardens. Educate public with interpretive signage and interactive features. Reduce maintenance costs with high performing native plants. Feature USDA agencies with thematic elements and plants. Improve the visual quality of the headquarters with improved landscapes.

23. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership North/Northeast Concept Plan 23

24. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

30. Since the Charrette… Final report published in January 2008 Featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine, March 2008 Refining concepts with input from NCPC, Coalition to Save the Mall, US Botanic Garden and others Beginning 106 (Historic Preservation) Review Two rain gardens approved Coop forestry proposed Independence Ave street tree restoration project Networking continues (including planting commitments from Casey Trees) Website: www.greening.usda.gov 30

31. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership www.sustainablesites.org

32. USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership USDA Assistant Secretary: Boyd Rutherford