Trends in Sustainability

Identify Trends in Sustainability What is sustainability? “the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance:”https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sustainability May 24, 2019 “The ability to continue a defined behavior indefinitely” http://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/EnvironmentalSustainability.htm May 24,2019 In 1990 Herman Daly, proposed the following 1 1. For renewable resources, the rate of harvest should not exceed the rate of regeneration (sustainable yield); 2. [For pollution] The rates of waste generation from projects should not exceed the assimilative capacity of the environment (sustainable waste disposal); and 3. For nonrenewable resources the depletion of the nonrenewable resources should require comparable development of renewable substitutes for that resource. This symbol is from Xavier University. It is the same one we use on our recycle bins. Landscape Trends in Sustainability In 2016 a group of Landscape Architects were asked to rate the popularity of a number of outdoor design elements. The survey results indicated a need for environmental sustainability, low maintenance and water savings Water is one of the top concerns of municipalities and clients. “Water-focused design elements dominated this year’s top ten list and reflect consumers’ growing commitment to landscapes that reduce water use and stormwater runoff”, Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. 2016 Stormwater management Installation of bioswales or raingardens. A raingarden is a low area in the landscape that is used to collect rainwater. This can be from the actual rain as well as runoff from a roof or driveway. Raingardens are designed so that the water collected soaks into the ground rather than travel into storm drains. Raingardens are planted with herbaceous plants. The photo below shows a raingarden in the Bridgeland area of Calgary A bioswale is a wide shallow ditch that is planted with deep rooted vegetation. As water runs through the swale the plant material slows the water down and cleans it by absorbing pollutants and collecting sediment. Bioswales are often created to help reduce flooding during heavy rains. Some of the water will soak into the ground because of the pores provided by the deep rooted perennials and the water that ends up in the storm system is cleaner than that running through a normal concrete ditch. The Magnificent Bioswales and Stormwater Treatment Along the Indy Cultural Trail The Installation of permeable pavers can also reduce stormwater runoff. Permeable pavers are interlocking pavers made with varying sized aggregates( stones) in them .They are installed with layers of aggregate underneath that allows for water penetration into the soil. The advantages of this is that water can go into the soil and recharge the groundwater rather than flow into the storm drains. The system also eliminates surface puddling reducing mosquito populations. Rainwater harvesting While rainwater is the pure precipitation straight from the sky gray water is household water. Water from bathroom sinks, showers, washing machines etc is classified as grey water. Water from kitchen sinks and toilets is classified as black water. Rainwater and greywater are treated differently. Rainwater can be used for all landscape applications including drip systems and edible gardens. Collection systems are usually barrels, cisterns or other similarly large containers and some sort of water distribution method. Greywater capture is usually beyond the scope of a landscaper. Graywater contains organics and soaps so should not be stored for more than 24 hours without being treated. Systems for graywater may include filtration systems or pumps. Drip/ water smart irrigation systems Drip irrigation is a system where emitters are supplied with water through a pipe that lays on the ground or is slightly underground. The emitters give out small amounts of water (0.5-2.0 gph) right at the surface of the soil. The advantage is that the water is delivered slow enough so there is no run off and unlike sprinkler systems there is no loss of water through wind. Smart systems rely on weather data to operate. A smart irrigation controller will be connected to a rain sensor that will shut the system off during a rain event. Flow sensors can trigger an alarm on you phone if there is a leak. Smart systems can also determine water needs with the use of soil sensors or evapotranspiration data. http://landscapeconsultantsllc.com/services/irrigation-service-repair/drip-micro-spray-irrigation/ 2. Low maintenance landscapes Use less lawn Between mowing, fertilizing, weed control and watering lawns are a lot of work. Some alternatives to consider are eliminating lawn areas and planting shrubs, using lawn alternatives like clover, planting dwarf cultivars of the common turfgrass or planting native species of grass. Put the right plant in the right place. A plant that grows in ideal conditions is healthier and therefore less prone to insect and disease problems than one grown in substandard conditions. Tree and shrubs should be planted in an area that gives them enough room to reach mature height and spread. If not excessive pruning will be necessary and the plant will suffer. Put plants with similar water requirements together. It is easier to water plants if all the high water need plants are in one area and those requiring little water are planted in one place. Use native plants Native plants are adapted to your area. If you live near the prairies and choose plants that grow naturally in the prairies the plants are more likely to respond to your soil type and climatic conditions. Similarly if you live in an area surrounded by forest your soil is more likely to be slightly acidic and your temperature cooler. Plants that like those conditions are the ones growing in your area. Use Drought tolerant plants All plants need water but there are some that have adapted to using less water. The city of Edmonton has put together a list of drought resistant trees and shrubs for Alberta. To access the list click here The following chart from Wallish Greenhouses in Sherwood Park lists drought resistant annuals and perennials for Alberta. https://www.wallishgreenhouses.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/drought-resistence-chart.jpg Mulch your garden beds Mulches come in many different forms and can be either organic or inorganic. Organic mulches include things like wood chips and pine cones. A 3-4” layer of wood mulch will help maintain soil moisture, will keep weeds down, and will eventually break down adding organic matter to the soil. Inorganic mulches include stones and gravel , landscape fabric and rubber mulch. These mulches help prevent weeds and keep the area clean but do not aid in soil health. Inorganic mulches do not break down easily so do not need to be topped up or replaced. Install drip irrigation The use of irrigation prevents hauling hoses around to water. Drip systems are affordable and fairly easy to install. 3. Sustainable yards Agriculture in your urban garden People are more concerned about where their food is grown. Many are going back to growing their own fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately lots of people do not have the room to put a garden into their landscape so community gardens are sprouting up all over the country. Recycled materials Some examples of recycled material in the landscape are: Crushed concrete used for fill material , composite decking and fences made of melted down plastic from bottles, crumb rubber - the bi-product of tires, and glass melted down to form tiles or decorative glass. Recycling can also include organics like trees shredded to form mulch and organic waste broken down into compost. Salvagable materials are also used in the landscape. Glass for greenhouses or coldframes, decorative containers for annual plantings and plastic containers for water barrels are all examples of salvagable material Solar powered lights Smart Yards The word smart yard has different connotations depending on who you are talking to. Many municipalities use the term smart yard when referring to the use of things like natural pest control, deep rooted perennials, organic mulches and native plants. Smart yards is also a term used for yards that operate off technology. Irrigation systems you can turn on and off with your smartphone, lights that turn on only when needed, the use of LED lights. Both definitions can be classified as sustainable. https://www.gardendesign.com/trends/2017.html This is a small list from garden design.com Stormwater management - bioswales, rain gardens Planting native Plants Urban Gardens and Agriculture Recycled Material Smart yards - https://www.gardendesign.com/trends/2017.html 4. Urban Agriculture Vegetable gardens, community gardens fruit trees. Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2016. The survey was fielded February 4 through February 18, 2016, with 803 responding. Respondents expected the greatest demand for outdoor living spaces that are environmentally sustainable, reduce water costs and are low maintenance. Here are the top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand: Rainwater/graywater harvesting – 88% Native plants – 86% Native/adapted drought tolerant plants – 85% Low-maintenance landscapes – 85% Permeable paving – 77% Fire pits/fireplaces – 75% Food/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) – 75% Rain gardens – 73% Drip/water-efficient irrigation – 72% Reduced lawn area – 72% Water-focused design elements dominated this year’s top ten list and reflect consumers’ growing commitment to landscapes that reduce water use and stormwater runoff, says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. “Water issues are hot topics for many communities, and many people are turning to landscape architects for creative green infrastructure solutions,” said Somerville. “Sustainable residential landscape architecture, if part of a broader integrated site design, can dramatically reduce water usage and stormwater runoff over the long term while creating a healthy residential environment.” https://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=48055 Sustainable Elements Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016 Rainwater/graywater harvesting – 88% Native/adapted drought tolerant plants – 85% Permeable paving – 77% Drip/water-efficient irrigation – 72% Reduced lawn area – 72% Recycled materials – 61% Solar-powered lights – 56% Compost bins – 45% Geothermal heated pools – 28% Trends in Backyard design (4)Attracting Birds and BeesWater featuresBetter Quality, less blingEdiblesLow maintenance, drought tolerant plants and less turfgrass More outdoor living space - spend more time outdoors https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/trends-in-backyard-design-whats-hot-now-pictures Quick Breakdown of Sustainable Landscaping Trends for 2018: (2) Native vegetation Drought resistant plants - minimal use of turf Natural mulches and soils Organic herbicides and pesticides Durable materials that add visual interest (i.e., tile and faux turf) https://www.landscaperlist.net/landscaping-articles/sustainable-landscaping-trends-spring-summer/ FYI (1) Garden Design - 2018 Trends in Garden Design 1. Embracing the small Garden - features need to be multipurpose, container use high. 2. Rethinking the Alfresco dining - take the eating area out into the garden - surround it with planters, bring out the furniture, have firepit or pool near by. 3. Quality - making craftsmanship a priority4. Restoring habitat at home Grow seed producing and berry producing plantsRestrict the use of pesticidesConsider replacing some of your lawn. 5. Experimenting with what you grow. The edible garden, cut flowers, use of houseplants 6 Creating a sense of enclosure Try plants instead of fences7. Pushing the seasonal boundaries 8. Seeking inspiration in personVisit world renowned gardens 2017 trends 1. Natural Material 2. Color Blocking - Highlighting or framing a specific plant or area. 3. Hyperlocalism - locally sources ( not only native plants but rocks, wood etc. 4. Lawn reimagined - lawn like alternatives (grass mixes that don’t need to be mowed. Faux grass - ugg! Still growing in popularity (low maintenance) 5. Natural Dye Gardens - add to edible gardens , chicken coops and beehives is plants that can be used as natural dyes6. Old and new together - mixing styles.7. Active play spaces for all ages 8 Dwarf Shrubs9. Haute houseplants10. Sustainability Technology - smart yards, smart irrigation technologyhttps://www.gardendesign.com/trends/2017.html From greenbiz.com (3)Global climate change action Nov 2014 US and China deal to cut emissions by 2030, 26% by 2025Lima Accord - every nation committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissionsGreen Climate Fund - money to help poor nations adapt to climate change Greenhouse EffectDefinition from Collins dictionary (6)the emission into the earth's atmosphere of any of various gases, esp carbon dioxide, that contribute to the greenhouse effectCollins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins PublishersCarbon dioxide the leading greenhouse gas globally According to EPA 65% by fossil fuels and industry, 11% by forestry and agriculture (5) methane is second at 16% Carbon dioxide is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, but can also produced by human activity including deforestation, agriculture and soil degradation. Fortunately trees and soil improvement can also store CO2 - removing it from the atmosphere (5) Do we look at the carbon cycle?? https://www.gardendesign.com/trends/2017.html https://www.landscaperlist.net/landscaping-articles/sustainable-landscaping-trends-spring-summer/ https://www.greenbiz.com/node/100886 https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/trends-in-backyard-design-whats-hot-now-pictures https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data#Trends https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/greenhouse-gas-emissions https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=Awr9KR4_2.ZceYcAWBIPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTB0NjZjZzZhBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNwaXZz?p=greenhouse+effect+meaning&hspart=pty&hsimp=yhs-pty_extension&param1=20190324&param2=d8cad4a9-af59-4232-9587-cafa76f950a6&param3=quickmapssearch_5.6~CA~appfocus1&param4=d-lp0-dsf_radio--bb9~Chrome~greenhouse+gas+emissions~D41D8CD98F00B204E9800998ECF8427E&ei=UTF-8&fr=yhs-pty-pty_extension#id=16&vid=0773acb0023b5e4c2d106607a7bce952&action=viewGreenhouse gasses and global warming Quote (1) From Daly, H. E. 1990. Toward some operational principles of sustainable development. Ecological Economics 2:1–6. From http://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/EnvironmentalSustainability.htm May 24, 2019 Raingarden photo Oct 2016 Wendy Daley Olds College www.belgard.com/permeable-pavers May 24, 2019 https://greywateraction.org/greywater-reuse/ May 24, 2019 Drip system photo http://landscapeconsultantsllc.com/services/irrigation-service-repair/drip-micro-spray-irrigation/ retrieved May 24, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=141&v=zuR9MMmr8 May 24, 2019 Drought resistance chart https://www.wallishgreenhouses.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/drought-resistence-chart.jpg https://www.edmonton.ca/residential_neighbourhoods/gardens_lawns_trees/drought-resistant-trees-shrubs.aspx https://homeguides.sfgate.com/recycled-landscaping-materials-21492.html https://ag.tennessee.edu/tnyards/Pages/A-Better-Yard-2.aspx