Ecological Landscaping: for Communities, Small to Large - Ontario, Canada

CITY OF WOODSTOCK PUBLIC WORKS

XERISCAPE GARDEN

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPINGFor Communities small to LARGE

Mathis Natvik H.B.Sc., LEED AP

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE

Principles of Ecological Landscaping• Solves or mitigates current

environmental problems.

• Does not require excessive

resources for long term

maintenance.

• Helps maintain or create a

healthy ecosystem(i.e. contributes to biological

diversity)

• Respects local conditions such

as topography, hydrology and

soil conditions.

• Accomplishes all of the above,

while also adding beauty and

functional space for humans.


Principles of Sustainability

• Development which meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations

to meet their own needs (Brundtland

1987)

• Near constancy of natural resources

• Equilibrium relationship between human activities and

the physical environment

• Intergenerational fairness


Applications of Ecological Landscaping• Green Roofs, Meadows, Xeriscapes, Urban Forests, Rain Gardens


GREEN ROOFS Quick Facts

• Modern building materials allow greening of almost all

roofs.

• They are not “new.”

Green roofs are common practice

in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland and have

been for decades.

• Habitat for pollinators, songbirds, plant biodiversity.

• Reduced lifecycle costs for buildings.

• Valuable source of green space in dense urban or

agricultural settings.

• TIP:

Don’t think of them as “green roofs.”

Consider

them yet another place to design for gardens and spaces

for humans.

AUGUSTENBORG’S BOTANICAL ROOF GARDEN, Sweden


GREEN ROOFS North American Examples

City Hall, Chicago

Mountain Equipment Co‐op, Toronto

The American Society ofLandscape Architects, Washington

Life Expression Chiropractic CentreSugar Loaf, PA

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METRO‐CENTRAL YMCA, Toronto –

September 2009

GREEN ROOFS Examples from Natvik Design Inc.


ACTIVIA SPORTS COMPLEX,

Kitchener

–

August 2008

GREEN ROOFS Examples from Natvik Design Inc.


MEADOWS and PERENNIAL GARDENS Quick Facts

• Source of biodiversity and pollinator habitat.

• Higher up front costs but reduced life cycle costs.

• High quality native meadows establishment

distinct from "just stop mowing“

commonly seen in

naturalization areas.

• True naturalization involves removing exotic sod,

and actively planting wildflowers and native grasses.

• Meadows in dense urban areas require more

planting design to remain publicly acceptable.


MEADOW GARDEN European Examples

PIET OUDOLF

www.oudolf.com


MEADOW GARDEN North American Examples: Lurie Park, Chicago

PIET OUDOLF

www.oudolf.com


MEADOWS Natvik Design Inc. ExamplesETYMONICS OAK SAVANNA

FAIRFIELD ROADSIDE PRAIRIE


XERISCAPES Quick Facts

• Uses engineered growing medium designed for low weed pressure

and excellent drainage.

• Allows for demonstration of responsible water use of

municipalities.

• Establishment requires care and attention to preparation of site,

but is as lowest in annual input there after.

• Designed for zero irrigation with long‐lived plants.


XERISCAPES European Examples

BETH CHATTO, Essex, England

www.ferncreekdesign.org

MAINTENANCE FREE CURB

Malmo, Sweden


XERISCAPES Natvik Design Inc. Examples


URBAN FORESTRY Quick Facts

• Associated with increased property values and greater community

care.

• Engineered soil is absolutely necessary in dense hard‐scapes. Trees

live short lives in downtown cores.

• Tree selection of paramount importance

• Long term human care and use should be integrated.

.

Cornell University Homewood Forest, Guelph


URBAN FORESTRY Natvik Design Inc. Examples

PHOTO: BCCA

PHOTO: Cornell University


RAIN GARDENS Quick Facts

• Aesthetic approach to storm water management.

• Can mitigate some of the challenge associated with parking lots, abundant hard surfaces.

• Thereby can contribute to water quality.

City of Portland City of DetroitPHOTO: Iowa Department of Natural Resources


RAIN GARDENS Natvik Design Inc. Examples

CITY OF WOODSTOCK, Woodstock –

September 2009


RAIN GARDENS Natvik Design Inc. Examples

241 METCALFE STREET,

Guelph


Challenges of Ecological Landscaping

• Misperceptions that naturalization is simply not mowing the grass.

• Up front costs.

• Different from traditional aesthetic, although these can be mostly mitigated.

• Lack of standards, knowledge of practices within landscape industries.

• Shortage of products needed for these projects in Canada.


How to Mitigate Challenges

• Demonstration projects in city parks and streetscapes.

• Corporate sponsors willing to pioneer techniques or fund municipal projects; education regarding lifecycle costs.

• Education regarding lifecycle costs, water use for traditional gardens.

• Research standards and practices from other countries.


Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Small Communities

William Aberhart High School Calgary, Alberta

Viscount Alexander Public School Ottawa, Ontario


Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Mid-sized Communities

McMaster Children’s Hospital Hamilton, Ontario


Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Mid-sized Communities

Bellevue Manor Vaughan, Ontario


Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Large CommunitiesGO TRANSIT, Toronto


Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Large Communities

Dundas Square image

DUNDAS SQUARE, Toronto


Integrated Ecological Design – truly sustainable!….but what does it look like?

PHOTO: City of Anderson, Indiana

THANK YOU

201-143 Wyndam St. NGuelph, OntarioN1H 4E9

Tel 519.822.5263Fax 519.822.5266

www.roofgarden.ca

[email protected]

This document is complimentary and is provided from the National Recreation Database by the Lifestyle Information Network (LIN) www.lin.ca

Appropriate Use

http://lin.ca/

http://lin.ca/

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Ecological Landscaping: for Communities, Small to Large - Ontario, Canada

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