matt arnn, usfs bob snieckus, nrcs

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

U.S. Forest ServiceNatural Resources Conservation Service

Agricultural Research ServiceAgriculture Marketing ServiceDepartmental AdministrationMatt Arnn, USFS

Bob Snieckus, NRCS

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Jamie Whitten Building Grounds

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Jamie Whitten Building Grounds

• Six acre site • Current Landscaping :

• Mix of mature & newly planted trees• Native and invasive shrubs• Sprawling ground covers and lawn• Planting beds (spring bulbs, annuals and cold weather

bloomers)• Poor landscape plan• Heavy amount of asphalt paved parking areas• Outdated Landscape Contract

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USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Storm water runoff connected directly to the District Sewer System

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

$240k has been spent annually to maintain the grounds, including the use of 30,000 gallons of water.

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Goals of Sustainable Landscape Partnership

• Reduce Environmental Impacts• Demonstration site for sustainable landscaping • Learning opportunity for landscape contractors• Improve the appearance of USDA grounds• Showcase for other public institutions• Provide cost sharing opportunities for developing

& implementing sustainable landscaping practices

• Highlight the various missions of USDA

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USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Why integrate sustainable landscape practices to treat stormwater?

Better infiltration, pollutant removal, stabilization, habitat, reduced mowing costs, landscaping value (beautification)

Implementation of sustainable landscape practices has been limited - lack of collaboration among landscape architects and stormwater engineers

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Stormwater projects can reduce water quantity, improve water quality…and be beautiful.

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Good Stormwater Practices = Water Amenities

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Stormwater practices can be resources for people…

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

12th street green street, portland oregon

Source: city of Portland

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

www.fs.fed.us/recreation

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

National Park Service

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Bureau of Land Management

U. S. Botanical Gardens

National Arboretum

D.C. Government

National Capital Planning Commission

American Society of Landscape Architects

Nation Arbor Day Foundation

Nature Conservancy

Casey Trees Endowment Fund

Low Impact Development Center

Alliance for Community Trees

National Mall Trust

Natural Resources Design

Morgan State University

University of Maryland

Catholic University

Prescott College

Virginia Tech

George Washington University

Participants

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

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USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Whitten Building Zones

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Northeast Zone

Rethink memorial grove

Engage children and visitors

Connect to the National Mall

Demonstrate USDA mission

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Jefferson Drive and 12th Street

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Concept Plan

Reduce stormwater runoff with raingardens and bioretention practices.

Create new habitat with pollinator gardens.

Educate public with interpretive signage and interactive features.

Reduce maintenance costs with high performing native plants.

Feature USDA agencies with thematic elements and plants.

Improve the visual quality of the headquarters with improved landscapes.

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

North/Northeast Concept Plan

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USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

Since the Charrette…

Final report published in January 2008

Featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine, March 2008

Refining concepts with input from NCPC, Coalition to Save the Mall, US Botanic Garden and others

Beginning 106 (Historic Preservation) Review

Two rain gardens approved

Coop forestry proposed Independence Ave street tree restoration project

Networking continues (including planting commitments from Casey Trees)

Website: www.greening.usda.gov

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USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

www.sustainablesites.org

USDA Sustainable Landscape PartnershipUSDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership

USDA Assistant Secretary: Boyd Rutherford