by CeCe Haydock The Sustainable Sites Initiative™, or SITES™ for short, was born from a need for a nationwide, voluntary rating system for landscape construction. The collaborative effort involved forty…
The Patina of Found Materials
Text by Ben Crouch Photos by Kimberly Moa The use of environmentally friendly materials is becoming widely accepted in all trades. Eco-friendly products are common on the shelves of every…
Bioretention Soils
by Tom Barry Stormwater runoff has become an increasing environmental concern as urbanization of our society has created massive areas of impervious surfaces that flood our storm drains and waterways…
The Consciously Designed Life – Living with the Active Voice of Permaculture, Part 1
by Lauren Chase Rowell “The finest design for society will not be one worked up by specialists but a design created by the people themselves to fit their needs. Planners…
Active Zone Profile: Water House Pools
by Maureen Sundberg Introduce water into the landscape and it brings changes in light and sound. Introduce water in the form of a natural pool, and the results are magical…
Exhibitor Profile: HerbaNatur Controls Weeds Naturally
A water-soluble herbicide that’s safe for humans, safe for pets and wildlife, and kills targeted plants in one application? Is this an ecological gardener’s dream come true? Visit HerbaNatur at…
Roundtable Review: Sustainable Practices for Ecosystem Restoration
Sustainable Practices for Ecosystem Restoration was held at Wellesley College on January 19, 2012. Reviewed by Brandon Schmitt Nearly 60 people joined together at the beautiful Wellesley campus to attend…
Asiatic Bittersweet Vine: An Exotic Invasive Plant Fact Sheet
by Bruce Wenning Common Names: Asiatic bittersweet vine; Oriental bittersweet vine; Chinese bittersweet vine. Plant Taxonomy: Family Celastraceae. Genus Celastrus. Species Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. Regulations: The importation, distribution, trade, and…
Book Review: A Guide to Smithsonian Gardens
A Guide to Smithsonian Gardens Written by Carole Ottesen Published by Smithsonian Books, 2011 Reviewed by Risa Edelstein As a landscape designer, I try to visit gardens every season both…
Conservation and Landscaping Professionals Working Together in Ecologically Sensitive Areas
by Theresa Sprague As the landscape paradigm continues to shift towards sustainable/regenerative design, ecological function, and land management vs. landscaping, it becomes clearer that collaboration between the conservation and landscape…
Planning for Resilient and Sustainable Communities
by Jack Ahern An original method for planning resilient and sustainable cities is presented here. The method builds on established planning methods and models. The method has five themes: (1)…
Resource-based Invasive Plant Management
by Julie Richburg As regional ecologist for The Trustees of Reservations, I work with my colleagues to ensure that the natural resources of our properties (including rare species) are protected…