For years the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has been certifying buildings under its highly esteemed Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating program.  It’s about time our landscapes, with or without buildings, are recognized when outstanding environmentally-sound designs are implemented.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) is a partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the United States Botanic Garden.  According to ASLA, “The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a stakeholder in the Initiative, anticipates incorporating SITES guidelines and performance benchmarks into future versions of its LEED® Green Building Rating System™.”

The SITES system rates landscapes that “sequester carbon, clean the air and water, increase energy efficiency, restore habitats, and ultimately give back through significant economic, social, and environmental benefits.”  Projects range from residential, corporate  and industrial designs to public parks, streetscapes and transportation corridors, among others.

The first three certified projects have been announced:  The Novus headquarters in Missouri, the Green at College Park (U of Texas), and Woodland Discovery Playground in Tennessee.  Notable features of these sustainably designed landscapes include:  stormwater management, restored habitats, rainwater harvesting, a green roof, use of recycled materials and native plants.

Source:  ASLA

photo of the Woodland Discover Playground courtesy of ShelbyFarmsPark.org

It’s true!   North Carolina is not only known for its Carolina blue skies, but also for its humongous hog farms.  Typically all the waste produced by thousands and thousands of hogs fills stinky lagoons, and sometimes overflows onto the surrounding landscape.

The hog waste produces methane and ammonia which, thanks to Duke University, Duke Energy and Google, is now being converted to electricity and fertilizer in Yadkinville.  A new cleaner, innovative waste-to-energy system is in place which improves air quality, not only for the farm’s neighbors, but also for the hogs, whose mortality rates will now be lower (at least until slaughter).

According to the Los Angeles Times, “The digester captures methane equivalent to 5,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year and produces enough electricity to power 35 homes a year.”

Currently, methane “digesters” on farms across the U.S. produced 435 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, which is enough to power 25,000 homes for a year.  Let’s get the rest of the factory farms to clean up their messes with this technology!

Read more at the SFGate

Photo of hog farm waste being pumped into the lagoon courtesy of VeggieRevolution.blogspot.com

Looking for long-lasting, durable fencing?  Today’s composites offer the look of wood without all the maintenance.  Not all composite fencing contains recycled or reclaimed materials, so be sure to inquire if you’re looking at brands other than those listed below.

Close the Loop (made in Pennsylvania) offers post and rail fencing made from 100% recycled HPDE plastic (mostly milk jugs) that require no painting or staining.  It comes in colors of black, gray and cedar.

Fiberon® fencing is made from locally-sourced, discarded wood flour (8%) generated from other wood processes and 84% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from plastic milk jugs, shampoo and laundry detergent bottles.   Three colors are available:  weathered pine, pacific redwood, coastal cedar.  The company is mindful of the environment and recover 98.5% of all material waste from their manufacturing processes.  Fiberon fencing comes with a 20 year warranty.

LifeTime Lumber‘s privacy, decking and equine fencing is made with 60+% recycled (pre-consumer) mineral ash and binded with polyurethanes making it resistant to insects, rotting, mildew, fire, fading, staining, splitting and splintering.  Limited lifetime warranty is included.  (pictured above)

Nature’s Composites’ TerraFence is made in the USA from wheat straw and recycled HDPE.  They offer a 20-year warranty on a variety of styles in shadow box, privacy, basket weaves, ranch 2-rails, as well as ornamental styles.  Their composite fencing does not splinter or crack, and needs no painting or staining.

TimberTech FenceScape composite fencing is made from reclaimed wood flour and available in a rich, warm mountain Cedar color.   There’s no painting, staining or sealing, and FenceScape won’t split, rot, warp, crack, splinter or suffer termite damage.   TimberTech offers a 25-year warranty.

Tree-lined streets are not only appealing, but they add value to adjacent homes and businesses.  And, the benefits don’t stop there.  Trees provide much needed shade during the hot summer months and reduce the heat-island effect in cities.  They provide homes and food for songbirds.  Trees even clean pollutants from the air and help to manage stormwater.

Here are some interesting tidbits:

• Trees provide four seasons of interest:  in spring, they provide lovely flowers; in summer, they provide greenery; in autumn, they provide brilliant colors; and in winter, they provide interesting structure and bark.
• “In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a ‘strong or moderate impact’ on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%.” —Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests
• “There are about 60– to 200-million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO² every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs.” —National Wildlife Federation
• “Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent.” —The Arbor Day Foundation
• “The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.” —USDA Forest Service
• “In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.” —Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University

The presence of trees contributes to a more liveable and cheerful place. I came across an interesting study conducted by the University of Rochester which revealed that “when people come into contact with nature, even in the simple form of a tree or potted plant, they become kinder, more generous, and more community-minded than when they focus on artificial, human-made surroundings.”  Other studies have found links between green infrastructure and lower crime rates, less violence, faster recovery from illness, and better grades for students.

Ready to plant some trees? A great resource for finding trees at a discount is the non-profit organization The Arbor Day Foundation.  Not only do you get 10 free trees when you join (for $10), but you get great discounts when purchasing trees through the organization.  Their extensive website will also teach you everything you need to know about trees.

View my earlier post here about how to lower your cooling bills with the use of trees.

Sources:  National Clean Water Network and Arbor Day Foundation

photo courtesy of GlenwoodPark.org

We all want our home exteriors to look attractive and protect us from the elements, so when it’s time for new siding, remember that there are siding options that have less of an impact on the environment than others.  Whether you live in a charming bungalow or a cool modern abode, there is an eco-friendly siding option for your home.

Some factors to consider when looking to purchase new siding include:  lifespan, maintenance and the source & manufacturing of the siding materials.

• Natural limestone stucco can be applied to virtually any substrate (wood or steel framed buildings, ICFs [insulated concrete forms] and strawbale construction).
• Reclaimed barnwood or wine-barrel wood can give a new house instant character and rustic appeal when used as an accent on a special part of the house or as whole-house siding.
• Cement board siding provides the look of traditional sawn wood boards, but is much more durable and long-lasting.  It is resistant to insects (including termites), fire, rotting, warping and salt-spray.  It’s made from a mixture of sand, clay, cement and cellulose fibers.  Look for those that are manufactured in the U.S. and contain a high percentage of recycled content.
• Brick or stone comes in veneer form nowadays, as opposed to solid brick or stone walls of days gone past.  These timeless materials last a lifetime with little maintenance.  The most eco-friendly options would be salvaged/reclaimed brick or stone, locally quarried stone or locally made brick.
• EcoClad® (pictured above) is a bio-composite siding made from post-consumer paper products and dense, sustainable bamboo fibers, which offers great durability and water resistance.

Looking to create a new garden path or walkway through your yard?  There are several earth-friendly materials to choose from which will add instant charm to your property.  You can create elaborate or simple designs with these materials too.  Another sustainable characteristic of the following path materials is that they are permeable and allow rainwater to filter through into the ground below to recharge aquifers.

• WOOD CHIPS from downed trees/branches can be applied in a thick (~3″) layer for a completely natural pathway.  (Tip:  This pathway can be installed directly over grass by covering the ground with a layer of newspapers before adding the chips.  This will kill the grass and prevent weeds from popping through).
• PINE NEEDLES make another great natural path, especially if you have a lot of pine trees on your property.
• MOSS can actually be used for lightly-treaded pathways through moist and shady wooded areas.  It feels like a luxurious velvet rug underfoot!  Be careful though as it can be a little slick to walk on sometimes.
• TUMBLED, RECYCLED GLASS comes in numerous colors and adds fun & sparkle to any space.  See my previous post here about this cool product.
• RECLAIMED BRICK, COBBLESTONE or FLAGSTONE gives an established, aged feel to even the newest of landscape installations.
• NATURAL GRAVEL occurs in pebble-size pieces, and is not quarried and crushed with fossil-fuel-burning machines.
• RECYCLED, CRUSHED BRICK, LIMESTONE or GRANITE can be used in formal or informal settings.  If you find it from locally-mined sources, the environmental impact is lessened.  However, the pollution generated from the crushing machines is something to be considered.

photo of wood chip path by McD22

Knowing which bugs are beneficial, and which ones are pests, goes hand-in-hand with natural, non-toxic gardening.  Whether you have a fruit and vegetable garden or a flower garden, a little knowledge about the creepy crawlies and flying insects that kill pests will keep your garden blooming without the use of harsh chemicals.

Synthetic yard and garden chemicals can’t tell the difference between pests and beneficial insects, and therefore kill both.  Plus, pesticides are dangerous for you, your kids and pets, other animals and the environment.  Read on to learn more about organic gardening and the natural enemies of pests.

Beneficial insects that control pests can be classified into the following groups:

1. Parasitoids attach themselves to a pest and ultimately kill it.  Some “female parasitoids may also kill many pests by direct feeding on the pest eggs and immatures”.  Many are wasps or flies.
2. Pathogens carry diseases that kill pests and are labeled in spray form as microbial insecticides, biorational or bio-insecticides.  Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), is a common pathogen.  Pathogens typically target specific pests.
3. Predators include lady beetles, true bugs, lacewings, flies, midges, spiders, wasps, and predatory mites which kill pests.
4. Weed Feeders consume exotic and invasive weeds that choke out native plant species.

Simply planting specific types of flowers in your garden will attract beneficial insects, such as lady bugs, lacewings, minute pirate bugs, stink bugs (some species, such as the Spined Soldier Bug and the Two-spotted Stink Bug), assassin bugs, hover flies, paper wasps and many kinds of parasitic wasps.  Flowers to include are: coriader (cilantro), dill (especially ‘Bouquet’ variety), fennel, caraway, alyssum, flowering buckwheat, black-eyed susans, dwarf sunflowers and yarrow.

To learn more about individual beneficial insects, including photos, click here.  For more information about pests, including pictures, visit the National Gardening Association website.

Sources:  University of Rhode Island and Cornell University

photo by Jon Brierley of a Praying Mantis consuming a pest

Did you know that outdoor structures such as pergolas, awnings and even carports can do double duty?  Not only do they protect you, or your car, from the hot sun or drenching rain, but these structures can be topped with solar panels to generate clean electricity for your home, business or electric car.

Whether you purchase a pre-assembled unit, like the one pictured here, or build one yourself, you’ll enjoy a shady spot for family gatherings or to park your car under.  I love the idea of parking lots sporting solar carports to generate electricity for nearby businesses, while keeping the parked cars nice and cool.

There are numerous companies that offer pre-assembled structures that support solar panels for both residential and commercial applications.  You may even qualify for state or federal tax incentives or grants to help offset the cost!

photo courtesy of the American Solar Energy Society

Looking for a quick fix to jazz up your outdoor spaces?  Try adding colorful accent rugs and doormats.  A wide variety of sizes and styles, from traditional patterns to whimsical motifs, are available.  They’re made of weather-resistant, recycled materials and brighten up any patio, deck or porch.  

• “Mad Mats,” made by Philadelphia-based Mariachi Imports, are composed of recycled plastic and feature fantastic floral, geometric, ethnic and traditional designs.  They’re available in many sizes and colors to complement any outdoor room.  (pictured above)
• Gaiam offers hand-crafted, reversible Turkish patterned rugs made from recycled soda bottles in 6′x9′ and 4′x6′ sizes.  You’ll also find door mats made from reclaimed marine rope or flip-flop foam!
• VivaTerra has many different stain-resistant styles on hand, from Moroccan and Oriental patterns to stripes and florals (made from recycled plastic bottles and packing materials).  Available sizes are:  4′x6′, 5′x8′ and 6′x9′.
• Pottery Barn‘s Tauna Kilim Indoor/Outdoor Rug is handwoven from recycled polyester yarn and is available in numerous sizes.  Williams-Sonoma sells a recycled plastic rug in a great graphic print by designer Thom Filicia.  Both of these companies sell many kinds of outdoor rugs, however the ones mentioned here are the only ones with earth-friendly characteristics.  Perhaps if many people sent them a note requesting more green products, we could make a difference together.  Other Thom Filicia recycled rugs are available through QVC, Overstock.com and CSN stores.

It’s hard to believe another year has passed and it’s Memorial Day again.  While honoring the memory of American soldiers killed in combat, we also welcome the warm weather and sunny skies that indicate the unofficial start of summer.

Here are some easy green tips that honor the Earth and help reduce your impact this summer.

FOOD & BEVERAGES

• Treat your family to fresh delicious food while supporting your local farmer’s market.
• Transport your goodies to the park or beach in a natural willow picnic basket and be sure to bring your re-usable water bottles.
• If you have to use disposable plates, napkins, cutlery and cups, please choose those made from recycled paper or biodegradable materials such as sugar cane fibers or corn-based “plastics.”
• Barbecue solar style!  Whether you’re in the middle of nowhere or in your own backyard, solar ovens use the power of the sun to cook your meals pollution-free!
• Recycle bottles and cans
• Compost fruit and veggie scraps

THE BEACH

• Kids love recycled plastic beach pails to build castles in the sand
• Organic cotton and bamboo beach towels come in all sorts of fun colors
• Biodegradable sunscreen will help protect you from the sun’s harsh rays and won’t leave harmful chemicals on your skin or in the ocean

THE BACKYARD OASIS

• Eco-friendly furniture, decorative accents, decks, fences, lighting and plants can add style to your outdoor “rooms.”  Read my earlier post about “greening your outdoor spaces” here.

LOCAL EVENTS

• Bicycle or walk to local destinations and events such as holiday parades
• Pick up litter along the way and you’ll prevent pollution to streams, rivers and the ocean and ultimately help save sea life.

photo by General Wesc