November 23, 2007—A new report has been released to help architects, builders, and FMs put sustainable landscape practices into use. Featuring over 200 recommendations for designing and building sustainable landscapes, the report is part of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, a partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin, and the US Botanic Garden to create voluntary guidelines and a rating system for sustainable landscape design.
The extensively researched Preliminary Report on Standards and Guidelines examines the positive environmental impact sustainable landscapes offer. For example, appropriate vegetation can help control erosion, filter out pollutants, provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and supply oxygen for the air we breathe. The preliminary report also details practices that degrade landscapes and should be avoided, as well as techniques for designing landscapes that benefit the environment.
The Sustainable Sites Initiative is soliciting feedback and additional information about this preliminary report from professionals and other stakeholders who can contribute to knowledge about ways to achieve sustainable landscapes. Comments are due by January 11, 2008.
Eventually, Sustainable Sites will create a rating system that will apply to large and small sites, and can be used independently or incorporated into other green rating systems. The US Green Building Council is lending its support to this project and plans to adopt the Sustainable Sites metrics into future versions of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental design) Green Building Rating System.
After feedback is gathered from the review process, a comprehensive report will be published in October 2008, with the release of final Standards and Guidelines for Sustainable Sites planned for May 2009. The Sustainable Sites Initiative plans to produce a rating system by May 2011 and test the guidelines with pilot projects in 2010 and 2011.
To view the report or to join the review process, visit the Sustainable Sites Web site.
