Sustainable Landscape Management Practices

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1 Sustainable Landscape Management Practices Sustainable Landscape Management Systems Bruce R. Fraedrich Ph.D.

2 Urban Development in PA 10% of land classified as urban in PA 77% of state population lives in urban areas PA is a rural state with an urban population

3 American s Are Gardeners 90 million households in US have a yard an garden 40 million households with gardens Vegetable gardening has increased with the recession 5 million organic gardeners 57% perform lawn, landscape, gardening activities for enjoyment.

4 Trees are a major component of the landscape in PA 52% of the state land area has tree cover 26% of urban areas have tree cover 219 million urban trees

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6 This is based on 30 years of Research by the USFS and others.

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9 There is much emphasis now in developing/redeveloping and maintaining landscapes with sustainable methods. Consumer Attitudes/Preferences SSI (SITES) Initiative LEED

10 SITES

11 (SITES) The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES ) is an interdisciplinary effort to create voluntary national guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable land design, construction and maintenance practices. = Like LEED for the landscape

12 sustainable landscapes must move beyond a simple do-no-harm approach. Landscapes sequester carbon, clean the air and water, increase energy efficiency, restore habitats, and ultimately give back through significant economic, social and environmental benefits never fully measured until now. -- Nancy Somerville, Executive VP and CEO of ASLA

13 A successful landscape is not just about aesthetics IT S ABOUT HOW IT FUNCTIONS

14 SSI is intended to protect natural resources and make these resources work for us in developed landscapes

15 The prerequisites and credits are organized into nine sections

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17 An inventory of the site was performed Soils were sampled and mapped to gauge needs Goal: meet prerequisites and earn credits

18 Because so much organic carbon is stored in soils--about twice as much as that of the atmospheric carbon pool --significant amounts of carbon dioxide can be emitted when soils are disturbed. ~ Lal, 2004 Protect soil even though there are no trees there now Soils stockpile more carbon than vegetation and the atmosphere combined. Wetland soils in particular are estimated to store up to 15 pounds of organic carbon per square foot.

19 A look around Credit 5.4 Salvaged Materials

20 Plant Selection Emphasize native species Evaluate invasive potential of exotic plants Understand maintenance requirements especially pest susceptibility Plant Resistant Varieties when available Diversity

21 Sustainable Plant Health Care for Established Landscape Plants 1. Proper Pruning 2. Structural Supports- Old Trees Storm Damage Remediation 3. Irrigation 4. Soil Management 5. Pest Management

22 Water Wise Landscaping Approximately 30% of the water used daily by a family of four in the U.S. is devoted to outdoor uses such as watering lawns and gardens, and landscape irrigation uses more than 7 billion gallons per day nationwide. ~ U.S. EPA, 2007

23 Water Conservation Rainwater Harvesting Water retention Ponds Bio-Retention Rain Gardens Drip Irrigation Smart Irrigation Drought Resistant Plants Soil Management Mulches

24 Green Soil Management Programs Soil Programs Organic Amendments Mulches Composts Organic Fertilizers Soil Compaction Density Drainage

25 Texture Analysis Bulk Density Analysis Drainage Analysis Root Zone Analysis Soil Nutrient Analysis ph Salinity -- PHYSICAL -- CHEMICAL TREATMENTS: Prescription fertilization Soil conditioning

26 Credit 7.3 Restore soils disturbed by previous development Same repair technique

27 Air tools Three tools are marketed to the arboriculture industry Compared for user ergonomics and speed of excavation Air spade, Air Pick and Air Knife

28 Organic Fertilizers Boost Natural (11-0-5) Milorganite(6-2-0), Sustane (8-0-4) Bone Meal (2-14-0) Lime, gypsum, Epsom salt Sulfur

29 Green Pest Management Programs

30 Integrated Pest Management: Starts with Inspection of Property Species Based Approach Understanding the specific requirements of each plant species will help tailor effective programs.

31 Cultural practices to maintain plant vitality integral to Monitor Rx programs. Heatlhy plants resist most pest problems

32 Products in MoniTor Rx Program Insecticides IPM Monitoring Hort Oil Predators and Parasite Insecticidal Soap Releases Pyrethrins Soil Rx Program Spinosad-Conserve- Injection Products Fungicides Copper Sulfur Phosphite-Agri-Fos Heritage/Compass Sluggo, Buck Off, Predator Urines Scythe Herbicide

33 BIOLOGICAL Beneficial predator releases are an increasingly important part of Plant Health Care programs

34 Challenges Moving Foward Team approach-sustainable landscape development and management requires a team approach: LA s, Engineers, Land Planners, Arborists, Irrigation Designers/Installers, Landscape Managers

35 Challenges Moving Forward Employees/Work Force at all levels Fewer Students enrolling in Ag/Hort/Forestry Programs Universities reducing green programs

36 Thank You