Winter 2009 Digging In: the Theory and Practice of Ecological Landscaping
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Price $2.00 Because land doesn’t come with a manual. ISSN 1554-656X The Newsletter of the Ecological Landscaping Association Vol. 15, No. 4 Winter 2009 Digging In: The Theory and Practice of Ecological Landscaping FROM THE EDITOR DIGGING INTO ECOLOGICAL landscapes? We can take our cues from a system that evolved over • Kat Good-Schiff LANDSCAPING BY FOLLOWING NATURE ’S LEAD 3,500 million years, and “follow ever before has ecological nature’s lead” to create energy • Kate Hartnett, Mary Tebo, & landscaping been so widely efficient, ecologically diverse, Marilyn Wyzga Npromoted and sought after. This is environmentally healthy, and just in time for the 15th Annual s evidence of extreme weather aesthetically pleasing landscapes Conference and Eco-Marketplace and ecological stress become for municipal, residential, and of the Ecological Landscaping moreA obvious, ELA’s mission to commercial settings. Association. Whether you are new “promote “The principles inherent in natural systems to the field or have been with ELA the design, serve as both a framework and a justification for since the beginning, the conference installation and provides many opportunities to maintenance mimicking nature in our landscaping practices.” meet with professionals, share ideas, of landscapes that are guided by a “Following nature’s lead” allows and be inspired. As you know, the knowledge of and respect for natural us to beneficially tap into the en- choices we make in our landscapes ecosystems” becomes more relevant. ergy flow that influences everything and our lifestyles profoundly affect People are becoming more motivated from climate to built landscapes to local and global ecosystems. There to change their ways. But, how can wildlife habitat and movement. has never been a better time to dig we sort through the complexity of Since the theme for the ELA 2009 into ecological landscaping. information coming conference is “Digging In: The The- at us, to understand ory and Practice of Ecological Land- and effectively scaping,” we would like to briefly work with that explore emerging opportunities for contents complexity in FOLLOWING continued on pg. 2 managed 1 Following Nature’s Lead 4 15th Annual ELA Conference Details 6 Greenhouse Warming and Landscape Care 8 Viburnum Leaf Beetle Detected in New Massachusetts Counties 9 Sustainable Sites Initiative in Draft Stage Plant systems mimic combinations found in nature, incorporating layers of vegetation, 10 Gleanings and Events and provide many benefits including habitat for wildlife in all seasons. FOLLOWING continued from pg. 1 The Ecological Landscaper is published The Ecological Landscaping by the Ecological Landscaping As- integrated design of buildings and Association would like to sociation (ELA). Subscriptions are a grounds, and then describe how thank the following for their benefit of membership in ELA. For we are connecting the theory and generous help in sustaining information about ELA, contact: practice of ecologically-based land- our mission through the scaping in a new book, Integrated Annual Appeal: Landscaping: Following Nature’s ELA Lead. Daniel Hildreth 1257 Worcester Rd., #262 LANDSCAPING IN CONTEXT North Country Framingham, MA 01701 Although many clients may Organics (617) 436-5838 think of landscapes and gardens as Chris O’Brien www.ecolandscaping.org [email protected] their own, they are part of a larger Trevor Smith regional environment. How often Maureen Sundberg Write to us! We welcome comments, do your clients recognize the land- letters, articles, topic ideas, and scaping around homes, businesses, Thank you as well to our opinions. Send to Newsletter Editor schools, and community centers at the address above. many valued supporters who as more than just planting flowers, Also send all other ELA business, wish to remain anonymous. including address changes, to the shrubs and trees, and moving soil address listed above. and rocks? Much landscaping, in- The ELA board meets formed primarily by aesthetics, sig- EW ANUAL ON throughout the year in various nificantly alters ecological function A N M NTEGRATED ANDSCAPING locations in eastern Massachusetts. and services of the local ecosystem, I L : All members are welcome. Contact OLISTIC PPROACH the region, and all who share in its A H A us for specific dates and ocations.l future, including ourselves. Land- Most landscape manuals ad- ELA Board of Directors scaping in context, that follows dress the functional, aesthetic, President: Dennis Collins nature’s lead, protects the existing and budgetary goals of property Vice President: Kathy Sargent-O’Neill owners by describing a linear se- Treasurer: Chris O’Brien ecological services that: quence of processes: design, plant Secretary: Andrea Knowles • reduce stormwater runoff, re- selection, installation, and ongoing charge groundwater, and purify Board Members maintenance. Integrated Landscap- M.L. Altobelli surface water ing: Following Nature’s Lead takes Jordan Hall • moderate site conditions a nonlinear, holistic approach to William Jewell (shade and breeze in summer, Robert Levite sun and light in winter) these recognized practices, using natural ecosystems as models, by Trevor Smith • purify air Sue Storer studying the fundamental processes Maureen Sundberg • make food and fiber of nature and applying them to Sandy Vorce • pollinate and disperse seeds the landscapes we create around Bruce Wenning • control insect populations our homes, workplaces, and public Executive Administrator: Penny Lewis • take up and sequester carbon spaces. The principles inherent in natural systems serve as both a Each author appearing herein retains • decompose wastes original copyright. Right to reproduce framework and a justification for or disseminate all material herein is • screen views and reduce noise mimicking nature in our landscap- otherwise reserved by ELA. Please contact As we begin to see ourselves and the Editor for permission to reprint. ing practices. our landscapes as part of the natu- Mention of products is not intended 1. Diverse forms of life live and to constitute endorsement. Opinions ral world instead of separate from work together independently. expressed in this newsletter do not it, we can begin to make the kinds necessarily represent those of ELA’s In natural systems plants are always directors, staff, or members. of choices that support native eco- systems and maintain the look and found living together with animals. ©Ecological Landscaping 2009 feel of our home settings. FOLLOWING continued on pg. 3 — 2— FOLLOWING continued from pg. 2 promote growth of root systems and animals with nonliving components 2. Soils are covered and populations of microorganisms. of the environment to interact and protected from the impacts of function as a whole. Because they 8. The subsoil provides inorganic excessive wind, sun, and rain. compounds required for living mimic combinations found together In natural systems, soils are typi- and nonliving processes. in nature, the plant systems of inte- grated landscapes can: cally covered and protected, with In undisturbed natural systems, layers of vegetation serving as the subsoil lies below the upper layers • Offer year-round habitat and first line of defense, beginning of soil. Formed by the weathering of food for wildlife. with the tallest canopy of overstory parent material, the subsoil provides • Provide a variety of aesthetic trees, followed by shrubs, herbs, inorganic compounds (mineral mat- landscape qualities. and groundcovers. ter) to the soils and plants above. • Enhance local character. 3. Rainfall is filtered, conserved, 9. Natural systems are dynamic • Resist pollution, pests, and and available when needed. and will change over time. drought. Natural systems allow rainwater, al- Natural systems undergo succession, • Minimize maintenance. ready reduced to fine sprays by mul- the progressive change from one dom- • Provide ecological services es- tiple-canopy layers, to sink slowly inant plant community to another. sential to human quality of life. into the ground. After being trans- All of this helps soil regenerate, formed into thin films of water by 10. Humans experience sensory, plants thrive, and wildlife flour- intellectual, emotional, the litter layers, water moves through and spiritual stimulation, ish in real-world situations, while the topsoil. opportunities for learning, reducing energy inputs and saving and insights into the wonder money. By following nature’s lead, 4. Soil organisms are fed by of complex natural processes. the cycling and recycling of we also can discover additional nutrients. Natural systems engage all our hu- aesthetic appreciation, recreational man senses. opportunities, intellectual stimula- In natural systems, a great vari- tion, and a spiritual connection to ety of decomposing organisms the life support system of the beau- consume organic matter as a food The holistic practices used in tiful planet. source, leaving behind humus, the Integrated Landscaping include stable remnant (due to its chemical working with “plant systems” rather Lauren Chase-Rowell, Kate Hartnett, composition and chemical bonds) than individual specimens. A plant Mary Tebo, and Marilyn Wyzga are of decaying organic material. system unites diverse plants (some the authors of Integrated Landscap- combination of groundcovers, grass- ing: Following Nature’s Lead, which 5. Humus holds fertility reserves es, perennials, within the upper layers of soil. may be purchased from Amazon, your vines, shrubs, local bookstore, or http://extension.