The Wildflower Center, American Society of Landscape Architects, and the United States Botanic Garden have completed a four-year colaboration to create guidelines and a measuring tool for sustainability in the landscape.  Their 232-page document establishes a rating system for new or renovation landscape projects, encouraging sustainable practices from planning stages, through construction, and through ongoing maintenance once construction is complete. 

The Sustainable Sites Initiative is also calling for pilot projects, in part to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the new guidelines.  Although the pilot program is mostly geared towards large projects (think shopping malls and apartment complexes) it is also appropriate for certain residential projects as well. 

This is no ”check the box and get a plaque” program; it’s very detailed, very thoughtful, and about as comprehensive as it gets. 

For more information about the Sustainable Sites Initiative,  see the website:

http://www.sustainablesites.org/report/

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