TABLE OF CONTENTS. Sustainable Is EVERYWHERE: Close To Home And Far Away. Benefits Of Going Green

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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Sustainable Is EVERYWHERE: Close To Home And Far Away 4 Benefits Of Going Green 6 LEED Certification: How Can Your Commercial Landscape Help The Effort? 7 Aesthetics and Advantages of Sustainable Landscapes 8 Sustainable Plantings Native Plants Green Roofs Living Walls Rain Gardens Turf Alternatives Water Management Detention Ponds Rain Barrels, Cisterns, and Rainwater and Greywater Recycling Permeable Pavers Lawn Care In The Sustainable Commercial Landscape Organic and Bionutritional Fertilizers Integrated Pest Management Ready To Talk About Your Sustainable Landscape? 13 2

3 SEBERT LANDSCAPING Introduction Before the 1960s, there were hints that advances in science, manufacturing, housing, transportation, energy, and food production were interfering with and depleting the abundant natural resources we had taken for granted. They largely fell on deaf ears, though, in the wake of post war prosperity; newfangled, time-saving appliances. space-age gadgetry. and TV dinners. But the decades that followed were an eye-opening time for the inhabitants of Planet Earth. Beginning with the publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson s Silent Spring, word began to circulate that our environment was suffering and would continue to suffer from the very real and dangerous consequences of our unbridled enthusiasm for progress and convenience. Slowly, over the next decade, it became clearer to more and more of us that Carson and her cohort had hit the nail on the head we were in big trouble. The very first Earth Day in 1970 was a watershed moment. Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. - EarthDay.org 3

4 SEBERT LANDSCAPING Sustainable is EVERYWHERE: Close To Home And Far Away There are several great examples of a municipality adopting sustainable landscaping practices right near home: Chicago s City Hall has sported a jaunty green roof for years as part of the Urban Heat Island Initiative. The 20,300-square-foot green roof remains nearly 100 degrees cooler than the roofs of nearby buildings and saves close to $5,000 per year in energy costs. And did you realize that Millennium Park serves as a green roof for the parking structure beneath it? Think about that next time you visit the Bean. Maybe it will take your mind of how much you re paying to park below it. Cities from Paris to New York are inviting grazing sheep and goats to help clear invasive weeds and to clip parks and other grassy areas, eliminating the use of fuel burning, fume-producing machines to do the work. Elsewhere, businesses and municipalities are creating indoor vertical farms (have you seen the one at O Hare?) and creating living walls to enhance visitor experiences and urban streetscapes. Parking lots are being constructed with permeable pavers to reduce stormwater flooding and rain gardens are being planted to both reduce flooding and to filter runoff. Vacant lots are being turned into garden plots and restaurants are adding green roofs to grow herbs and vegetables they then use in their own kitchens. Abandoned elevated train tracks are becoming lush city parks. The High Line in New York is perhaps the most famous example of this in the U.S., and others are in the works in Philadelphia and right here in Chicagoland. Since the 70s, heightened public awareness of the issues facing our environment has resulted in stringent regulations and the development of more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and economically viable solutions. These solutions have measurable and positive economic and environmental benefits. As individuals and organizations, we re all getting better and better at finding ways to shrink our carbon footprint by creating more sustainable lifestyles both at home and at work and both inside and outside. In 2000, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the green building certification system, was introduced by the U.S. Green Building Council to recognize commercial, institutional and residential projects noteworthy for their stellar environmental and health performance in both the United States and abroad. In 2005, recognizing the need for a similar certification system for sustainable landscapes, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin, and the U.S. Botanic Garden created the Sustainable Sites Initiative, a certification program that is a comprehensive and voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes. Sustainable landscapes, whether situated on a residential or commercial property, result in energy savings, pollution control, and ecosystem preservation. There are lots of exciting ideas trending in sustainable landscaping these days, and more and more individuals, businesses, and even cities are retrofitting existing landscapes and designing new landscapes to incorporate them. Individual companies and institutions are also going green, incorporating sustainable landscaping practices. In St. Charles, Mo., for instance, the headquarters of Novus International is a three star SITES certified pilot project. The nine-acre site has been developed with sustainability in mind to 4

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6 SEBERT LANDSCAPING preserve and enhance natural habitats, focus on improving vegetation and hydrology of the site, and create an active and healthy environment that employees can be proud of and inspired to interact in. In Escondido, Calif., Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens, a one star SITES pilot project, is a one acre park-like environment for dining, relaxing, exploration, and special events... The majority of the gardens at Stone Brewing are located within a stormwater detention basin that accepts water from the surrounding commercial park. The brewery and gardens play host to dozens of community events every year, including movie screenings, farm-totable dinners, and more. The site links to a regional bike network and utilizes many regional salvaged materials. Benefits of Going Green Sustainable landscaping is sweeping the globe. The surge in sustainable landscaping, particularly in the last decade, has been tremendous as more and more people realize its benefits: It s good for the environment, it s good for the creatures we share the planet with, and it s good for our physical and mental health. Many commercial property owners who build or retrofit their properties to be green, inside and out, because it s the right thing to do for the environment are now finding there s another great advantage: A beautifully designed green building and wellexecuted sustainable landscape will ensure lower maintenance costs and make it far easier to attract and retain tenants. 6

7 Beyond Buzzwords: Sustainable Trends To Watch LEED Certification: How Can Your Commercial Landscape Help The Effort? LEED certification is based on a system of points received for meeting very specific requirements that ensure your property is as environmentally friendly as possible based on industry best practices. If you are seeking LEED certification, you will want to work with a contractor who has experience with the certification. Sebert Landscaping s headquarters is LEED certified, guaranteeing they have the training and the experience to guide your sustainable landscaping plan through the certification process. Items addressed in LEED requirements for landscapes include but are not limited to: Creating an environmentally sensitive landscape management plan Minimizing the use of artificial chemicals Using native plants Using drought tolerant plants Using plants that require only low-impact maintenance Using no invasive plants Integrated pest management Erosion control Water-efficiency that limits the use of potable water by using high efficiency irrigation, captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, etc. or the installation of a plan that does not require permanent irrigation. Limiting conventional turf. Turf must be drought tolerant and must not be used in densely shaded areas or on slopes of more than 25 percent. Open space Shade cover Pervious hardscape Exterior lighting Landscape and exterior design to limit heat islands Light pollution reduction 7

8 SEBERT LANDSCAPING Aesthetics and Advantages of Sustainable Landscapes Aside from the benefits to our environment, advantages of sustainable landscapes at commercial properties include: The preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat Environmental education opportunities The use of regional materials, which is good for the local economy and reduces the need to consume the fuel necessary to transport materials over long distances Features that address the health and wellbeing of visitors/employees Opportunity to grow edibles (employee garden or for a restaurant kitchen) Sustainable Plantings Here are some examples of some trends in sustainable plantings that you may want to consider for your commercial property. Native Plants The National Arboretum defines native plants as plants that occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without direct or indirect human intervention. Native plants include all kinds of plants from mosses and ferns to grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Natives are uniquely suited to an area s particular climate and soil, so they require less water and less maintenance to thrive as long as they are planted in their preferred environment. Examples of Illinois native plants include some beauties like Joe Pye Weed, Liatris Spicata, False Indigo, Golden Alexanders, and Prairie Smoke. 8

9 Beyond Buzzwords: Sustainable Trends To Watch Green Roofs These are systems that are installed on the roofs of buildings. like the one on the roof of Sebert Landscaping s headquarters. They are typically installed on flat or gently sloped roofs that can support plantings. The load-bearing capacity of your roof will determine what type of green roof you can choose to install. The advantages of green roofs are many: They insulate. They capture rainwater keeping it out of storm sewers. They filter pollutants out of the air. The plants take up the water and release it into the air as vapor. Green roofs help filter pollutants out of the air. They help cool the area, reducing the heat island effect in urban areas. They provide green space in areas where there may be little space to plant conventional gardens. They preserve habitat and biodiversity in urban environments. They improve the efficiency of HVAC equipment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and extend roof life significantly. They can be used to create amenity areas like community gardens, recreational space, and relaxing terraces in areas that would otherwise be unused space. There are different types of green roofs and they require specialized knowledge to install, but once installed, if properly maintained, they can provide benefits for many years. Many different types of plants can be installed on green roofs, depending on your climate, location, soil depth, and budget. Plants like sedum, chives, talinum, are hardy, low-lying plants that are often used on roofs with just a few short inches of soil. Some roofs are capable of supporting much larger plants and even, in some cases, trees. Talk to Sebert Landscaping about what plants will work best for your type of roof and location. Sebert s experts can give you advice based on their training and on the experience they ve gained installing and maintaining green roofs including their own! 9

10 SEBERT LANDSCAPING Living Walls Rain Gardens Living walls, or vertical gardens, can be planted both indoors and outdoors.these are walls that are partially or completely covered with vegetation. Green walls contain a growing medium and, usually, a water delivery system. They can be attached to walls or built as freestanding structures. They can be planted with edible crops or with foliage or flowering plants or vines. They insulate walls, reduce the heat island effect, and provide insulation and, outdoors, protect walls from the sun and weather. Indoors and out, they cleanse the air of pollutants and dust and act as a soundproofing barrier. They provide habitat for birds and insects, increase real estate value, and in commercial buildings, decrease absenteeism among employees. They qualify for LEED certification points. Rain gardens are shallow depressions that can be planted with deep rooted native plants and grasses, and even trees. They are positioned near runoff sources like downspouts, driveways, roofs, walkways, or parking lots to capture rainwater runoff and stop the water from reaching storm sewers. The plants filter the runoff and can cut down the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30%. Native plants are used in rain gardens to eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers. They are also more tolerant of one s local climate and soil conditions, and they attract and provide habitat for native birds and insects. Turf Alternatives Another trend in sustainable landscaping is the replacement of turf, or lawn, with garden beds or low maintenance alternatives like ground covers that reduce or eliminate the need for costly and timeintensive maintenance and chemicals and require less watering. There are many attractive alternatives to choose from, including sedges, moss, clover, and some ornamental grasses. Speak with your landscaping company to determine what the best options will be for our region and your particular microclimate and soil conditions. 10

11 Beyond Buzzwords: Sustainable Trends To Watch Water Management Water management is a key component of any sustainable landscape. Water is a precious resource, so anything that can be done to prevent the waste of potable (drinkable) water should be considered when planning a sustainable landscape for your commercial property. Detention Ponds Detention ponds are shallow depressions that exist to capture runoff and prevent flooding. They are designed to capture large amounts of water until it can drain off slowly or evaporate. The difference between detention ponds and retention ponds: A retention pond always contains water. A detention pond is a dry basin. A detention pond can be made attractive by planting shrubs and native plants and grasses around the perimeter or by planting the depression itself with rain garden plants. Permeable Pavers Permeable pavers are separated by joints filled with small stones, so that water hitting the surface of the pavers runs off into the gaps between pavers and through to the layer of crushed stone below where it then filters into the ground, reducing or eliminating runoff and capturing pollutants before they can reach local waterways. Permeable pavers come in a variety of styles and sizes, so finding an environmental paver that meets your aesthetic needs is easy. They can be used in walkways, driveways and parking lots. In urban areas, permeable pavers can give tree roots the room they need to spread, so trees can grow to full size. An attractive example of a permeable paver parking lot can be found at Sebert Landscaping s Bartlett headquarters. You will want to discuss the advisability and maintenance requirements of permeable pavers with your landscape architect or contractor to determine if they will be a useful and appropriate component of your sustainable landscape and stormwater plan. Rain Barrels, Cisterns, and Rainwater and Greywater Recycling Increasingly, communities are requiring commercial building owners to install systems to recycle water. Many businesses, including Sebert, have begun doing this voluntarily. It makes sense and it saves money. For instance, the Paul Mitchell Salon School in Costa Mesa, California saves 400,000 gallons of shampoo and laundry water annually, using it to flush toilets. Rain barrels typically hold gallons of water each and, particularly with one placed at each of four building corner downspouts, can be a great way to capture rainwater for reuse in your commercial landscape. Cisterns are underground receptacles for collecting rainwater. They can be much larger and collect significant amounts of rainwater that can be pumped out and used to water your landscape. Your organization will save water and money, and your landscape will thrive. Greywater systems collect water from commercial buildings (bathtubs, showers, sink drains, laundry drains, etc.) to be reused outdoors in irrigation systems or even directed back to indoor plumbing for use in your toilets. 11

12 SEBERT LANDSCAPING Lawn Care in the Sustainable Commercial Landscape Any sustainable landscaping plan must address the management of turf areas. With a little planning it is possible to maintain attractive turf areas in your sustainable landscape. Organic and Bionutritional Fertilizers The advantages of using organic and bionutritional fertilizers include replenishing and maintaining long term soil fertility, suppressing pathogenic soil organisms, increasing available nitrogen for plants, initiating and accelerating natural decomposition of plant residue (clippings) turning them into rich compost, controlling incidence of fungal disease, promoting improved drainage, etc. Integrated Pest Management The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences defines integrated pest management as a method that combines all available pest management methods to produce the healthiest lawn possible. It does not aim to totally eliminate pests but to maintain pest populations at tolerable levels. Pesticides are often part of an IPM program but are selected and applied responsibly to avoid health risks to living organisms other than those targeted. Further, they specify that an IPM program includes: Soil management Turfgrass selection Appropriate cultural practices Biological and genetic controls Physical or mechanical removal Exclusion through prevention and sanitation Pesticides Integrated pest management plans offer more accurate pest control with less use of chemical controls, and they produce the healthiest turfgrass possible for a given set of growing conditions. Looking for advice on the best pest management strategy for your commercial property? Sebert can offer guidance. 12

13 Beyond Buzzwords: Sustainable Trends To Watch Ready To Talk About Your Sustainable Landscape? Ultimately, all of the methods of sustainable landscaping discussed here will enhance the appearance of your commercial property, lead to increased tenant/employee/customer well being and satisfaction, benefit the environment, and save you money. We ve come a long way since that first Earth Day sustainability is a win-win for businesses today. landscapes at residential, commercial, and industrial properties and institutions all over the area, including Kraft Foods LEED-certified building and green roofs along Chicago s Magnificent Mile. Sebert Landscaping adapts irrigation techniques that conserve water, relies on locally sourced materials, uses propane mowers and batterypowered equipment charged by their solar trailer, and uses other eco-minded measures to reduce both costs and their environmental impact. Call Sebert at or visit their website to find out how they can help your property become eco friendly too! Sebert Landscaping has been a go-to landscaping company in the Chicagoland area since 1985 for commercial property owners seeking to create sustainable landscapes at their properties. And they walk the walk: Their headquarters is LEED Gold certified and they ve installed sustainable 13