3 Important Things You Need to Know About Sustainable Landscaping

I've been studying eco-friendly building and landscaping products and practices for several years. Early on the question arose, "Why all the fuss?"

Why? We have a real problem. That's the first important thing.

1) Water is our most precious resource and there's a real issue with both the quantity and quality of water. Even here in the land of 10,000 lakes, we experience drought, watering bans and peak shortages of municple water supplies that compromise emergency services like fighting fires. As for quality, urban run-off is the #1 cause of pollution in our lakes, rivers and streams. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimates that 40% of our waterways are impaired by conventional pollutants. For the enjoyment of our generation, our grandchildren and generations to come, we have to stop this alarming trend.

The good news is the second important thing: several "best management practices" exist for reducing urban run-off and pollution and reusing that most precious resource.

2) Capturing the rain that falls on your property and allowing it to soak into the soil dramatically reduces stormwater run-off and filters out pollutants. Several sustainable landscaping techniques can be used.

• Raingardens
• Trees
• Permeable paver driveways, walkways and patios
• Rain barrels
• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Reponsible lawn care
• Keeping storm drains clear of debris
  
  

The third important thing is that YOU can have a direct impact on solving the problem by doing something, no matter how small.

3) Take action now. It's not hard to take a small step, and then another. You can turn the powerless "What can I do?" into the adrenaline rush of "We are making a difference!" See how a neighborhood in south Minneapolis is Going Blue thanks to the leadership of concerned neighbors. A quote written on the Berlin Wall said, "Many small people in many small places doing many small things can alter the face of the world." Do something small - it adds up.

• Learn more about raingardens and sustainable landscaping.
• Invite your neighbors over for a presentation and discussion about the issue.
• Explore the BlueThumb.org website.
• Find out what funding is available from your local watershed district.
• Ask a professional landscaper for help.

For more information about Sustainable Landscaping, download the class schedule for Hedberg's Sustainable Landscaping Day on March 11, 2010 featuring case studies and presentations from leading experts in the field. Call Tina at 763-392-5909 with questions.

Are you already practicing sustainable landscaping? What are you doing in your yard to help your local environment? Leave a comment and let me know!