INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS BY DESIGN by LEAH COURTNEY GARDNER (Under the Direction of MaryCarol Hunter) ABSTRACT The goal of this thesis work is two fold. First, a conceptual framework is developed for the design of outdoor recreation areas that would act to increase environmental awareness of its users. Second, a concept plan is created for a portion of the North Oconee River Greenway that is based on a set of ecological design criteria that grows out of the conceptual framework. The concept plan and its attendant management protocols serve the ecological design criteria by improving the ecological health of a human-impacted site, encouraging human engagement with nature by bringing people into the space, and increasing environmental awareness by offering positive recreational and educational experiences in nature. The ecological criteria are identified and are then met by applying appropriate ecological design principles to each design component regarding installation, use of materials, management practices, and educational objectives. INDEX WORDS: Ecological Literacy, Greenway development, North Oconee River Greenway, Ecological design, Ecological restoration, Native plant communities of North Georgia, Granite outcrops, Vegetation management, Invasive exotic removal, Easley’s Mill, Cedar Shoals, Sustainable Living INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS BY DESIGN by LEAH COURTNEY GARDNER B.S., The University of Tennessee, 1997 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ATHENS, GEORGIA 2004 © 2004 Leah Courtney Gardner All Rights Reserved INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS BY DESIGN by LEAH COURTNEY GARDNER Major Professor: MaryCarol Hunter Committee: Alfred Vick David Porter Richard Field Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia December 2004 DEDICATION For Dr. John W. Day iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A heartfelt thank you to my parents, Dean and Margaret Gardner; my sister Deanna Long; my dear friend Chris Roark; Dr. John W. Day; Sam Rogers; the members of my advisory committee: MaryCarol Hunter, Richard Field, David Porter, and AlfieVick; Darrel Morrison; Marianne Cramer; Donna Gabriel; John Ward; Dan Hope; John Devine; William Shealy; Cecil, Debbie, Irene, and Gordie; my friends. Thank you so much for sharing your time, thoughts, and laughs with me. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES .........................................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 Purpose of Thesis Study............................................................................................1 Organization of Thesis ..............................................................................................2 2 BACKGROUND THINKING Introduction ...............................................................................................................4 Why is Ecological Literacy Critical to Environmental Protection? .........................5 Fascination: An Effective Catalyst for Behavioral Change ......................................9 Does Landscape Architecture Contribute to Environmental Awareness and Protection?.........................................................................................................11 Summary .................................................................................................................14 3 GREENWAY FUNCTIONS Introduction .............................................................................................................15 Ecological Roles of Greenways ..............................................................................16 Designing to Perform These Roles Well: Applying Ecological Design Principles to Greenway Development................................................................................19 Managing for Ecological Integrity in an Urban Context.........................................22 vi Where Humans and Nature Meet in Urban Settings ...............................................25 Summary .................................................................................................................27 4 CASE STUDIES Introduction .............................................................................................................30 Storytelling ..............................................................................................................30 Art and Science .......................................................................................................32 Projects ....................................................................................................................33 Summary .................................................................................................................39 5 THE PROJECT SITE Introduction .............................................................................................................45 Oconee River Greenway Evolution: A Brief History ............................................45 Project Location and Existing Conditions...............................................................48 Easley’s Mill: The Beginning of Athens and the University of Georgia ...............52 Ecological Significance of Granite Outcrops..........................................................54 Opportunities and Constraints at the Project Site....................................................55 Summary .................................................................................................................57 6 DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction .............................................................................................................69 Ecological Design Criteria ......................................................................................69 Concept Plan............................................................................................................70 Oconee Street Parking Area ....................................................................................70 Greenway Trail........................................................................................................72 Easley’s Mill Overlook ...........................................................................................74 vii Boat Launches .........................................................................................................75 Vegetation Management..........................................................................................76 Educational Components.........................................................................................82 Summary .................................................................................................................83 7 CONCLUSIONS..........................................................................................................92 Looking Back ..........................................................................................................92 Lessons Learned......................................................................................................93 Looking Ahead........................................................................................................97 Final Thoughts.........................................................................................................98 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................102 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................108 A Definition of terms characterizing ecosystem stability..............................................109 B List of founding members of Sandy Creek Nature Center ........................................110 C Endemic species of granite outcrops.........................................................................111 D A.D.A., Americans with Disabilities Act, trail requirements ....................................112 E General recommendations regarding canoe launch design........................................113 F Top ten exotic plant pests in Georgia .......................................................................115 G “Cut-treat” method of invasive exotic removal .........................................................116 H Suggested native plant list for Zone C/Riparian.......................................................117 I Suggested native plant list for Zones D and E/Warm Season Grass and Wildflower Meadow.................................................................................................................119 J Suggested native plant list for Zone F/Dry slope in right-of-way .............................120 K Definition of Service-Learning..................................................................................121 viii LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1: Characteristics of Conventional and Ecological Design .................................................29 Table