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Chapter 13: Natural Landscaping Chapter 13: Natural Landscaping “I am not a lover of lawns. conservation and enhanced project review. For example, Rather would I see daisies in their the techniques described in this chapter can help maintain the connections between conserved natural thousands, ground ivy, hawkweed, areas. and even the hated plantain with Natural landscaping uses plants adapted to the tall stems, and dandelions with local conditions (soil, climate, etc.), which are easier splendid flowers and fairy down, to grow and better protect downstream wetlands and watercourses. Native plants, unlike turf grass, can both than the too-well-tended lawn.” improve the infiltration and filtering of rain and snow (Hudson 1919) and stormwater runoff, and hold soil in place, thus greatly reducing erosion and siltation of waterbodies. Stands of native vegetation also require fewer chemical The Hudson Valley landscape has been modified by control agents—no fertilizers or pesticides, and minimal humans for thousands of years. Native Americans set herbicide once established. Thus, natural landscaping fires to maintain open areas for hunting and agriculture, can lead to improved water quality over conventional yet the landscape remained largely forested. After landscapes. European settlement, most of the forested valley and uplands were cleared for timber and agriculture, and as Smart Growth a result, have been changed by humans in some way. Strategies The transition from forest to open areas led to a change Local governments can assist in the wildlife that live in the Hudson Valley. However, natural-area management the habitat remained essentially connected, and wildlife and enhancement in two could easily move to more suitable habitats. As habitat primary ways: and as land across the valley has reverted to forest, many • Maintain as much forest-dependent species returned. natural vegetation as Today, the Hudson Valley is becoming increasingly possible. The habitat developed, with sprawling land-use patterns and more quality of the Hudson Valley is intensive use by people. Unlike the changes of 500 years good overall and leaving natural ago, the habitat is changing in ways that do not allow vegetation is the best way to keep it healthy. sensitive species to adjust. Smaller natural areas are • When it is necessary to have landscaping, favor farther apart. Lawns and invasive plant species between native plants adapted to local conditions. The natural areas make it more difficult for wildlife to find predominant landscaping material in the Hudson healthy habitat. Natural landscaping can help address Valley is the turf-grass lawn. The lawn is borrowed this problem by providing some habitat, maintaining from the heavily grazed, short-grass pastures and connections for wildlife, and reducing the spread of formal gardens of Europe. Though turf grass provides invasive plants. recreational space and some aesthetic appeal, it How Can Natural Landscaping Help offers little with respect to biodiversity and it is expensive and polluting to maintain. Protect Natural Areas and Wildlife? Local governments can lead by example by applying Natural landscaping can benefit native animals, attracting these principles to their own lands. They can also colorful butterflies and moths and an array of songbirds encourage usage of the principles on private lands, that are essential components of healthy ecosystems particularly for developments reviewed by local boards. and enhance our quality of life. It also can serve as a Identifying natural areas is an important initial step to buffer for sensitive habitats in conserved areas. But prioritizing management needs and natural landscaping natural landscaping cannot replace natural areas. Rather, opportunities (Chapter 4). When a community knows this approach should complement other municipal what habitats and connections it wants to maintain, it efforts to conserve wildlife and habitat, like open space Conserving Natural Areas and Wildlife in Your Community 75 Chapter 13: Natural Landscaping will be better able to apply the following techniques natural landscaping in these corridors can help provide where they will have the most benefit for wildlife. continuity and linkages among disjointed habitats. Natural landscaping by school districts, park Encourage the Use of Native Plants for Private departments, and colleges provides a unique educational Landscaping opportunity. Establishing or maintaining natural areas Natural landscaping also can be encouraged or also provides a hands-on learning tool for students and required for certain components of new development volunteers. or redevelopment. In particular, natural landscaping could be required in drainage swales, around stormwater Invasive Plants Some plant species introduced into this country from Europe or Asia can become very aggressive and replace our native species in the landscape. Some common invasive plant species include Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissma) in woodlands, and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and water chestnut (Trapa natans) in wetlands. Though invasive plants can crowd out native plants and make habitat unsuitable for some wildlife species, they are not devoid of habitat value. Further, removal of invasive species can sometimes make problems worse. If you think invasive species are causing a habitat problem in your community, contact a qualified biologist for assistance and possible removal. A more manageable goal is to prevent invasive species introduction and remove invasive plants when populations are small and still manageable. Towns and landowners can help prevent invasive plants from taking hold. Invasive plants specialize in ponds, and along the edges of streams, lakes, and disturbed landscapes, so completely clearing a site wetlands. Other potentially important sites for the of all vegetation establishment of natural landscapes and habitats encourages their are large landholdings, including institutional sites, growth. Maintaining commercial and industrial sites (e.g., industrial and office natural vegetation on parks), houses of worship, and senior housing complexes. construction sites may Privately owned golf courses and parks can also be help. Many invasive encouraged to use natural landscaping. When approving species were introduced a site plan, a town could require natural vegetation as ornamental plants, as a buffer to protected areas and stream corridors. which is why so many Agricultural land also can benefit from using native of them are attractive. plants for windbreaks, swales, and streamside buffers. Planting native plants in our public areas Use Natural Landscaping on Public Properties and encourage native planting on private lands is an Local governments can work with school districts, park important action local governments and landowners can departments, and highway departments to promote take to prevent the spread of nonnative plants. the use of natural landscaping on public properties. Municipalities can use native vegetation around Provide Public Education buildings and parking lots to enhance aesthetics, Local governments can partner with others to provide reduce maintenance costs, and reduce stormwater information about natural landscaping to citizens, runoff. Municipalities also can use native vegetation business owners, developers, and civic organizations. to remediate landscaping and erosion problems along Important topics include environmental benefits, plant stream channels and detention basins, as well as types, sources, and landscape setbacks at property lines. along highway and road parkways, ditches, medians, There are several organizations in the Hudson Valley that and vacant meadows and open areas. Rights-of-way, specialize in natural-landscaping education (see page such as utility corridors, provide more opportunity for 78). Grants may be available for demonstration projects. the use of native landscaping (McElfish 2004). Using See Chapter 6 for more information on developing an education program. 76 Conserving Natural Areas and Wildlife in Your Community Chapter 13: Natural Landscaping Summary of Benefits flooding, and replenishes groundwater. Stormwater conveyance and detention facilities that simulate Lower maintenance cost. natural systems are generally less expensive to build Natural landscapes require and almost always more economical to maintain. much less time, money, and effort to maintain once they are Reduced soil erosion. If sites are not completely established. Long-term needs for cleared of vegetation and topsoil during construction, irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, less sediment will leave the site. Native plants and herbicides are virtually appropriately used on sloped sites, stream banks, eliminated. drainageways, and shorelines can effectively hold the soil and reduce erosion due to their deep and fibrous Conservation education and root systems. scientific study. Natural-habitat management puts people in touch with nature close to home, Improved water quality. Native vegetation in work, and other nearby locations. Municipalities, drainageways helps to filter stormwater to reduce school districts, park districts, and conservation contaminants. Naturally vegetated buffers along districts can use natural landscaping as an streambanks and shorelines intercept surface runoff educational tool. and slow groundwater flow. The reduced use of fertilizers and other chemicals used for maintenance Beautification and property enhancement. Natural landscapes provide
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