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For example, point-based codes reward meeting quotas for trees per acre, limits on turf grass or conservation of potable water. However, most point-based codes do not provide points for sustainable practices, yet they do provide a pattern for point-based sustainable landscape codes. And that is exactly what communities from Florida to Louisiana to Georgia to Minnesota to California are doing.

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This unique landscape code is a point-based landscape code modeled after a similar program in Berlin, Germany called the Biotope Area Factor (BAF). The Seattle code necessitates landscape plans for development or redevelopment in commercial areas meet new design standards based upon sustainability. This program, adopted in January 2007, requires landscape plans address ecological function and aesthetic principles, such as canopy coverage, permeability, visual access, and total landscaping to meet a prescribed number of points. These points are derived using a menu of green landscaping strategies that are included in a landscape calculator provided by the department of planning and development.

Sustainable Landscape Design

There are tools available for designers to use that will help them produce sustainable landscape designs. Many are familiar with the LEED rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council for the design of green buildings, green neighborhoods and their building sites. Most landscape architects are watching with approval as the American Society of Landscape Architects fine tune their proposed Sustainable Sites Initiative (ASLA SSI).

In the Dec. column of LASN (Vol.24, No. 12) the 2008 version of Bay Friendly Landscaping System used in California was previewed (see side bar). This rating system can be used by landscape architects, horticulturists, arborist and urban foresters to devise sustainability requirements for project design. Sustainable landscape metrics are set forth for in the Bay Friendly program for site context, waste reduction, soil protection, water conservation, energy conservation, air quality and protection of wildlife habitat. A minimum of 60 points must be earned from eight categories of sustainability and nine required practices. Total practices that earn points for the designer equals 124, derived from such sustainable practices as irrigation to innovation. A total of 219 possible points can be awarded to measure compliance with the program. A handy score card is available at StopWaste.org, a program of the Alameda County Waste Management and Recycling Board for keeping track of points earned. See www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=782

Bay Friendly is equivalent to a sustainable methodology used in Florida known as the 2006 Florida-Friendly Landscaping program. It was created by an extension unit of the University of Florida to help people and professionals design, build and maintain gardens that would not cause negative environmental effects on fresh water bodies and coastal waters. The LSU Ag Center in Louisiana modeled a similar program to design, create and maintain landscapes in ways that minimize environmental damage and promote sustainability through water conservation, reducing stormwater runoff and decreasing nonpoint source pollution, enhancing desirable wildlife habitats and creating functional, attractive landscapes. Seven sustainability principles guide the 2007 Louisiana Yards and Neighborhood program. The LYN principles create sustainable practices associated with plants, planting, irrigation, mulching, recycling, fertilizing, drainage and wildlife husbandry.

Both the California and Florida programs stress sustainable landscaping practices that can easily be incorporated in to everyday landscape design practice. The Florida program is being adapted to many city and county landscape codes in Florida. Homestead, Fla. was the first city to adapt this system of landscape best management practices. Other communities in Florida are looking to revise their existing landscape codes to accommodate these best practices.

Landscape Best Management Practices