WASHINGTON, DC — Landscape architects and experts have launched a sweeping test of a sustainability rating and assessment system for greenspaces in the built environment with a pilot that involves more than 150 sites in 34 states, Canada, Iceland and Spain.
The pilot is being conducted by the Sustainable Sites Initiative, abbreviated as SITES, which led the development of the voluntary rating program that its creators hope will be used like the LEED system -- but one focused on landscapes and greenspaces.
The system created by the partner organizations behind SITES -- the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden -- is intended for use on sites of all types to gauge and certify their sustainability.
The standards, which were released last fall, can be applied to landscaping at commercial and public buildings, transportation corridors and parks. It's not necessary for buildings to be present, but the sites must be designed landscapes or greenspaces.
SITES opened applications for the pilot in November and expected to receive perhaps 75 strong contenders, according to Steve Windhager, director of the Landscape Restoration & Sustainable Sites Initiative at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin. The organization received more than four times that many.
"We were overwhelmed, but in a good way," Windhager told GreenerBuildings.com. "We received 354 applications."
The pilot includes projects at corporate headquarters, industrial complexes and educational centers as well as high-profile efforts for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, the New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward Sustainable Infrastructure Project and the Indianapolis Super Bowl Village. They range from less than an acre to hundreds in size and involve relatively modest to multimillion-dollar budgets.
In addition to providing visual and physical respite from the built environment, the sites in the pilot are designed to reduce environmental impacts not only of the location itself, but also the lands around it in many cases. For example, sites in the pilot may restore habitats, rehabilitate landfills, clean and store stormwater in addition to lowering the urban heat island effect or fostering outdoor education.
“It’s exciting that many of these pilot projects -- eight in every 10 -- will revitalize previously built landscapes,” Susan Rieff, executive director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center said in a statement this week. “We can address the serious environmental challenges the world faces in its existing communities by consciously redeveloping these spaces for ecological health as well as beauty.”Under the SITES system, locations are rated on a 250-point scale for possible certification at four levels. Points are awarded for elements such as site selection, water, soil, vegetation, materials, human health and well-being, construction and maintenance. Sites attaining 40, 50, 60 or 80 percent of possible points are awarded one-, two-, three- or four-star certification, respectively.
Projects participating in the pilot are in various stages of development; some are still in the design phase, others are near completion. They all have until June 2012 to provide feedback about the benchmarking program to SITES. The data will be used in the certification process for the projects and to revise the assessment system. SITES has a goal of releasing a final version of its rating system and reference guide in 2013.
Details about the projects selected for the pilot are available at www.sustainablesites.org/pilot. More information about the Sustainable Sites Initiative and its rating system is available from "The Sustainable Sites Initiative: Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009." (pdf) and "The Case for Sustainable Landscapes" (pdf).
Images of the Center Street greenspace and rain garden at the University of Texas, Arlington, courtesy of the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
Monday, May 31, 2010
'LEED for Landscapes' Put to the Test
Monday, May 24, 2010
Updated HBC landscape master plan video
I’ve updated the landscape master plan video for Highland Baptist Church. This version contains the latest changes including the memorial garden that was dedicated on Sunday. Plus the video is smaller and loads faster!
http://www.verdantky.com/2010/04/13/highland-baptist-church-master-plan-2/
Monday, May 17, 2010
Popular landscape features: Outdoor rooms, low-maintenance/drought tolerant plants, and gardens ~
A survey of Landscape Architects found Outdoor rooms (sitting areas, outdoor dining, grill areas), low-maintenance with native/adapted plants, and gardens popular for 2010. Much of this is against a backdrop of smaller lawns for residential landscapes. The new landscape elements are listed at the bottom of this page: http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/13148
More information can be obtained at: www.asla.org/residentialinfo.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Limbwalker Tree Service, Inc gains tree care accreditation
If you need tree care in the Louisville area, I highly recommend Limbwalker Tree Service, Inc. They are knowledgeable in tree care, and should you need to have a tree removed, they are highly skilled. They have just completed a Tree Care Company Accreditation with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).
Thursday, May 06, 2010
kyGREENtv http://www.kygreen.tv/channels/ Kentucky's Internet TV station on all things GREEN
“kyGREENtv is an internet based television station and social network focused on promoting all things green in Kentucky. People can tune in and find everything from educational and original programming, how-to videos, discover local events, green businesses and non-profit organizations. We have a motto here at kyGREENtv that we're Organically Grown, Sustainably Operated. For us, that means we're always evolving as a company. We're nurturing our resources so we can continue to offer the best programming, resources and features for our audiences to enrich their lives and our own.”
Join me in watching shows about all things green in Kentucky.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera sempervirens) is blooming!
of the Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera sempervirens) which has put on a
tremendous amount of growth this spring. It is a native climbing vine that
needs support, but it can put on a show all season long (it blooms from
April through November). It is a favorite of hummingbirds! Have a great KY Derby!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Drought assessment for Louisville and Grantsburg is not good: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center, which forecasts weather and ground conditions for up to 3 months out, is predicting a persistent drought in northern Wisconsin and drought development in the central part of the bluegrass state through July.
They also have maps available for 6 day, 14 day, 1 month and 3 month temperature and precipitation. It’s a great site, but sometimes has bad news. It looks like we are in for a drier condition for the bluegrass region of Kentucky… Enjoy (and store) the rain while we have it!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Site visits are done/ Celebrate Earth Day with me/ Let the showers come
Earth Day Haiku:
Site visits are done
Celebrate Earth Day with me
Let the showers come
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
DOT Secretary LaHood issues a federal policy putting bikes and peds on equal footing with motorized traffic
The US DOT statement on bike and ped accommodation now states, “…transportation agencies should plan, fund, and implement improvements to their walking and bicycling networks, including linkages to transit. In addition, DOT encourages transportation agencies to go beyond the minimum requirements, and proactively provide convenient, safe, and context-sensitive facilities that foster increased use by bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, and utilize universal design characteristics when appropriate. Transportation programs and facilities should accommodate people of all ages and abilities, including people too young to drive, people who cannot drive, and people who choose not to drive…”
This is an excellent step in the right direction!
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm
Friday, April 02, 2010
ASLA demonstrates Sustainable Landscapes
The American Society of Landscape Architects has a new website that shows 10 examples of what sustainable landscapes look like. The projects range from large planning efforts to residential projects. Each project page shows what makes it sustainable and allows one to catch a vision of where sustainability is headed.
So what are Sustainable Landscapes?
“Sustainable landscapes are responsive to the environment, re-generative, and can actively contribute to the development of healthy communities. Sustainable landscapes sequester carbon, clean the air and water, increase energy efficiency, restore habitats, and create value through significant economic, social and, environmental benefits.”
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Metacog Blog http://themetacogblog.blogspot.com/
The Metacog Blog is a blog current designs in the built environment gathered from many sources. The students in the 4th year studio at the University of Kentucky’s Landscape Architecture program largely update the blog. I’m assisting Ryan Hargrove this semester as we focus on Urban Design.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The soil map for Jefferson County, KY is available online
The updated soils map for Jefferson County, KY is available online at:
http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/KY111/0/index.pdf
The manuscript is at:
http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/KY111/0/Jefferson_KY.pdf
There is a lot you can learn from a soil map: slopes, building potential, relative depth to rock, and what areas are like yours for comparing soil qualities. I still think it’s funny that in an urban area like Jefferson County the soil scientists still tell you the farming and sewer drainage field potential…
And in case you were wondering, I live in:
UmD—Urban land-Alfic Udarents-Crider complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes
~Soils Nerd~
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Spring has sprung! Life is busy.
Some photos of this week’s spring flowers: Snowdrops, Star Magnolia, and daffodils.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Reviewing ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Green Building Standard 189.1-2009/International GREEN Building Code
The new ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Green Building Standard 189.1-2009 serves as the jurisdictional requirement option for the new International Green Construction Code public version 1.0. Amazingly, the IGCC does have landscape implications: shading the building to reduce heat gain and therefore cooling costs; removal of invasives; reduced irrigation; management of soil and erosion control; bike facilities; managed lighting; reduced stormwater implications; and vegetation and soil protection areas (VSPA’s).
If you would like to read more about IGCC, try this link. http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx
By supporting the document, one can download a free version and also comment on the document. (Version 2.0 is scheduled to come out in November.)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Good day balancing home, fun, and work: landscape plan approved today!
Great day coordinating and having a landscape plan approved by the City of Louisville Landscape Architect. Add to that, a great afternoon with my daughter. Then onto an evening with Landscape Architects. Great day all around!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Our company profile is now on Green Home Guide http://greenhomeguide.com/pro/company/2028
USGBC has a new place for consumers to list questions and find answers to all things green/sustainable around and in your home. Check it out: http://greenhomeguide.com/
They have two entries for landscaping on ‘steps toward a natural lawn’ and ‘sustainable landscaping.’
Thursday, March 11, 2010
My favorite weather forecast site: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
If you want to have a reasonable prediction on temp, precip, and drought for months in advance, you can’t beat the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. So far Louisville is predicted to have a “normal” spring and summer. We’ll see what happens. Grantsburg: bad news, persistent drought…
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Just added our firm to http://greenhomeguide.com/ , "connecting you to ideas, advice and green home professionals."
A new service from the U.S. Green Building Council (the folks who brought you Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED) is the Green Home Guide. It’s in Beta, but I think you will find it an interesting site that connects professionals and your home.