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NEXT TO NATURE CERTIFICATION SCORECARD Nature Supporter 100 points Nature Partner 200 points Nature Champion 300 points Participant: Date: YES ? NO SITE PLANNING (SP) POSSIBLE POINTS: 16 Conduct a site assessment (slope, topography, pathways, soils, utilities, etc.) 4 Identify your landscape objectives and steps to capture multiple eco-benefits 4 Create a living landscape using soil and vegetation features, e.g. vegetated 4 roofs, walls, or facades; rain gardens or bioswales; native species plantings; and tree canopies Prepare (a) site plan(s) 4 YES ? NO LAND/SOIL QUALITY AND CONSERVATION (L/SQC) POSSIBLE POINTS: 56 Incorporate elements to slow, spread, and capture the surface flow of 8 rainwater for infiltration and/or release, such as rain gardens, bioswales, seasonal pools, etc. (WCQM) Install rain barrels to capture stormwater from structures (WCQM) 8 Orient planting beds parallel to topographic contours to slow surface water 8 flow (WCQM) Stabilize erodible surfaces by planting soil-holding species, applying wattles, or 4 by physical means (grading, terracing, armoring, etc.) Convert landscape (and food) waste into compost, biochar, mulch, etc. for use 4 as a soil amendment (LMM) Determine the texture, soil structure, and pH of garden soils in order to make 4 the best improvements Restore previously disturbed soils 4 Correct instances of soil compaction 4 Reduce or eliminate the use of harmful fertilizers 4 Reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals 4 Implement practices to reduce nutrient runoff (such as slow-release fertilizers, 4 optimized application timing and amount) (WCQM) YES ? NO LIVING THINGS (LT) POSSIBLE POINTS: 72 Incorporate water to the garden to sustain living things, large and small 4 Plant trees; consider carbon capture and storage, and low production of 16 volatile organic carbon (VOC) among other criteria such as water use efficiency and drought tolerance (AQ, WQCM, L/SCQ) Manage vegetation health and use IPM to control pests and diseases 4 Conserve/use native plant species where appopriate 4 Eliminate invasive species 4 Plant species with capacity to survive extreme environments 4 Choose pollinator-supporting plant species 4 Incorporate bird and butterfly feeders 4 0000001 Include nest boxes for owls ad bats 4 Increase the time period habitat resources (such as cover, food) are available 4 Select plant species providing appropriate fruit, seed, and nectar for wildlfe 4 Create a landscape insectary by choosing plant species that invite beneficial 4 insects or repel harmful ones Add a log, build a rock pile, or preserve a snag to generate wildlife habitat 4 Substitute lawn with plantings of drought-tolerant sedges, grasses, cacti 4 (WQCM) Install wildlife-friendly lighting, e.g. products that reduce light pollution or 4 don't interfere with bird migrations; use LED lighting (EC) YES ? NO WATER QUALITY, CONSERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT (WQCM) POSSIBLE POINTS: 32 Manage precipitation on-site (cistern, rain garden, bioswale, rain barrel, bird 4 bath, pond, seasonal pools) Reduce water use for landscape irrigation (efficient system design, nozzles, 4 length and timing of application) Substitute permeable for impermeable surfaces to allow water to be absorbed 4 into the soil Add organic matter to the soil (such as compost, biochar, worm castings, etc.) 4 Avoid/minimize copper and zinc (roofs, gutters, downspouts, siding), 4 galvanized materials (fencing, water storage), and treated lumber Reduce the use of potable water in the garden when safe for plants and 4 animals by substituting less pure water types Create planting beds using tree debris (Hügelkultur), which conserves water 4 and improves soil quality Use the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species checklist (WUCOLS) to 4 select low water-requiring plants for use YES ? NO WILDFIRE PROTECTION (WP) POSSIBLE POINTS: 28 Remove fire-prone vegetation (containing resins, oils, and waxes) and dead 4 vegetation Add fire-resistant vegetation 4 Create the correct types of defensible space/zones on your property, removing 4 plants and other types of fuels Remove dead anddying branches; prune dead branches, palm skirts, etc.; 4 observe local guidelines to avoid destroying nests during nestng seasons Avoid mulch use within the "Immediate Zone" of defensible space 4 Use fire-resistant materials and products (roofing, vents, eaves, soffits, 4 windows, decks, porches, siding) Store flammable items indoors 4 Inspect structures; repair damaged or missing roof tiles/shingles, screen vents, 4 etc. YES ? NO AIR/ATMOSPHERE QUALITY (AQ) POSSIBLE POINTS: 16 Install insulating green roofs and walls and/or blue roofs 4 Reduce air pollution by covering/planting bare soil 4 Install a vegetated windbreak to reduce air pollution 4 Choose garden products containing no or low volatile organic compounds 4 YES ? NO ENERGY CONSERVATION (EC) POSSIBLE POINTS: 16 0000002 Use minimally processed materials such as salvaged materials from local 4 sources, compressed earth blocks, bamboo, uncut stones, straw bales Install solar collectors or photovoltaic units to power outdoor landscape 4 elements Plant trees and shrubs as a windbreak to block prevailing cool weather winds 4 or minimize air borne dust Shade dark-colored driveways, roadways, patios, walls, and roof parts that 4 receive significant sunlight YES ? NO LANDSCAPE MATERIAL MANAGEMENT (LMM) POSSIBLE POINTS: 32 Eliminate the use of wood from threatened tree species; use certified wood 4 Re-use salvaged materials and plants 4 Use materials with recycled content (EC) 8 Use locally sourced materials (EC) 4 Repurpose end-of-life local wood by upcycling it into useful products, such as 4 lumber, furniture, household items, art, fuel pellets, biochar (EC) Divert reusable vegetation, rocks, and soil from landfill disposal 4 Avoid using PVC (polyvinyl chloride) because it cannot be recycled and also 4 releases dioxin during its manufacture and disposal YES ? NO COMMUNITY RESILIENCE (CR) POSSIBLE POINTS: 32 Put in place a plan for your family in case of need to evacuate for wildfire or 4 create protections against other natural emergencies Notify your neighbors and others about your disaster preparedness plan and to 4 encourage them so you can help each other Create peaceful and restfull spaces and share them with others (LT) 8 Share natural resources to help build a circular economy, such as leftover 4 wood, rock, soils, plants, cuttings (LMM) Communicate the value of the Next to Nature Program to others in your 4 neighborhood and community Share your knowledge and successful path to landscape sustainability with 4 others, thereby assisting them to improve their own properties Work to make gardens, landscapes, neighborhoods, schools, or workplaces 4 more wildlife-friendly 0000003 0000004 0000005 0000006 0000007 0000008 0000009 00000010 00000011 00000012 00000013 00000014 00000015 00000016 00000017 00000018 00000019 00000020 00000021 00000022 00000023 00000024 00000025 00000026 300 points total 00000027 00000028 00000029 00000030 00000031 00000032 00000033 00000034 00000035 00000036 00000037 00000038 00000039 00000040 00000041 00000042 00000043 00000044 00000045 00000046 00000047 00000048 00000049 00000050 00000051 00000052 00000053 00000054 00000055 00000056 00000057 00000058 00000059 00000060 00000061 00000062 00000063 00000064 00000065 00000066 00000067 00000068 00000069 00000070 00000071 00000072.
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