Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series - SULIS
Millions of dollars are spent each year designing, implementing, and maintaining urban landscapes. Long-term problems are caused when these processes are not carried out properly and many of these problems can be avoided or reduced by utilizing sustainable landscape practices. A landscape developed with sustainable practices will improve the environment by conserving resources and reducing chemical applications. A sustainable landscape will also reduce labor inputs making it less expensive to implement and maintain.
This site offers a detailed guide to designing, creating, and maintaining sustainable urban landscapes. Aimed at both the public and the horticulture and landscape industry, the site is composed of four main sections. The first, design, takes users on a detailed trip through envisioning, planning, and designing landscapes that are cost-effective, visually pleasing, and easy on the environment. The next section is plant selection which gives the basics of selecting plants for landscapes and includes an excellent plant-selection database, with detailed information and photos of more than 1,200 plants. The implementation section covers preparation, planting, installation, and construction of urban landscapes, with several illustrated how-to projects. The final section, maintenance, offers a comprehensive guide to lawn care, with additional features on tree, shrub, and plant care planned for the future.
The goal of SULIS is to provide sustainable landscape information to the public and to the horticulture/landscape industry. By utilizing SULIS concepts, homeowners, business owners and related industry personnel will be able to create outdoor spaces that are functional, maintainable, environmentally sound, cost effective and aesthetically pleasing.
http://www.sustland.umn.edu |
