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Common Sense

Sustainability:

A Discussion on

Reducing Inputs and Costs

while Saving the Earth

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Sustainability

“Sustainability…meets the needs of the present generation

without compromising the ability of future generations

to meet their own needs”

United Nations. 1987. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, General

Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987.

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“…meet[ing] the needs of

the present generation…”

Landscaping Needs:

Aesthetics

Comfort

Emotional

Social

Financial

Food

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Impact

How does my landscape affect the world?

Butterfly effect

Ex: Back to the Future

Ex: Weather

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Impacts

Sensitive dependence on initial conditions

EX: How does misuse/overuse of chemicals affect our future?

Landscape is a mini-ecosystem that affects the

surrounding environments (landscapes) and thus the

surrounding ecosystems (world)

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Parts of the Landscape

Plant materials

Hardscapes

Maintenance

Other inputs/outputs

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Plant Materials

Right Plant in the Right Place

How does plant selection and placement affect

sustainability?

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Sustainable?

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Plant Materials

Considerations:

Cost of initial plant

Pesticides required

Cost of replacement

Waste materials

Energy for removal, replacement

Fertility needs

Water needs

Benefits of plant

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Plant Materials

Saving ideas:

Minimal water, fertilizers, pesticides, pruning, etc.

Savings in energy costs, i.e. cooling, wind break…

Location to reduce mowing and other difficulties

Long term vs. short term

Mulch area

Soil depth, improvement

Use low pest plants

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Turf

Considerations:

Purpose of turf

Acceptable appearance

Grades/slopes

Other possibilities

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Turf

Inputs to consider:

Time required for mowing, edging, fertilizing, etc.

Fuel required for maintenance

Pesticides, fertilizers

Waste (clippings)

Medical bills…

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Expectations?

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Turf

Saving ideas:

Minimal area to “meet the needs”

Grasscycle

Reduce slopes

Refine irrigation practices

Actually measure fertilizer amount/applications

Adjust expectations

Mechanical weed control

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Hardscapes

Path, deck, retaining wall, patio, etc:

Cost of materials

Longevity

Appearance

Porous vs. run-off concerns

Heat

Usability

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Hardscapes

Inputs:

Cost of materials

Input to obtain, transport, etc.

Durability

Replacement costs

Maintenance costs

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Hardscapes

Saving ideas:

Permanence

Low input materials

Softer materials

Reusable

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Maintenance

Design to reduce maintenance inputs:

Edging

Mulches

Improve soils

Think simple

Right tool

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Other Ideas

Build a healthy soil

Use organic mulch

Compost

Irrigate efficiently

Prune selectively

Diagnose problems correctly

Diversity

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Questions?