Initiative aims to measure sustainability of landscapes

Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI) is a new effort to develop standards and guidelines for site development that will reduce the environmental impact of landscapes. SSI members include the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden.

The standards can apply to landscapes at industrial and office parks, military complexes, airports, botanical gardens, streetscapes and plazas, residential and commercial landscapes and public and private campuses.

The standards are intended for use by designers, architects, contractors, engineers, developers, builders, maintenance crews, horticulturists and governments.

Members of the Initiative believe the standards will “protect and enhance the ability of landscapes to provide services such as climate regulation, clean air and water, and improved quality of life.”

The guidelines will compile current research, technology and best practices and provide technical guidance for the construction and maintenance of sustainable sites. There will be two interim reports before a final document in spring 2009.

The SSI standards will be used to construct a ranking system with specific site performance goals much like the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards recognize sustainable buildings. Credits will be assigned for meeting performance goals so that each site can be rated.

Pilot programs to test the rating system will begin in 2010.

SSI has some suggestions for sustainable vegetation practices.

* Incorporate healthy native or non-invasive vegetation and encourage a tight disturbance zone to limit construction damage to vegetation.

* Eliminate the use of invasive plants.

* Specify plants from local growers to reduce energy use and other negative environmental impacts of shipping. Ensure plants are adapted to local environmental conditions.

* Minimize the amount of time plants are stored on-site before planting.

{sidebar id=3}

For more: Adele Gravitz, ASLA, (202) 216-7852; agravitz@asla.org; www.sustainablesites.org.