Green building has been a growing industry for the last several years. It’s great that buildings are using less energy, better materials and such. But what about the landscape? Plenty can be done to reduce a landscape’s footprint, but we didn’t have standards to help decide what to do. Until now.
Last week the Sustainable Sites Initiative announced the launch of its web site at www.sustainablesites.org. You can find the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes, along with case studies. You can sign up to be a pilot project.
As a communicator, I especially like “The Case for Sustainable Landscapes.” Did you know that in the US we use more than 7 million gallons per day to water landscapes? Or that workers who can see natural areas take fewer sick days? Or that preserving forested or natural areas can save up to $10 per square foot over conventional landscapes? Pretty cool stuff.
Strategies for a Green Future 