What can we do, right now, in our own landscapes, to help solve climate change?
Predictions about future effects of climate change range from mild to dire - but we're already seeing warmer winters, hotter summers, and more extreme storms. Proposed solutions often seem expensive and complex, and can leave us as individuals at a loss, wondering what, if anything, can be done.
Sue Reed and Ginny Stibolt offer a rallying cry in response - instead of wringing our hands, let's roll up our sleeves. Based on decades of experience, this book is packed with simple, practical steps anyone can take to beautify any landscape or garden, while helping protect the planet and the species that call it home. Topics include:
Working actively to shrink our carbon footprint through mindful landscaping and gardening
Creating cleaner air and water
Increasing physical comfort during hotter seasons
Supporting birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife.
This book is the ideal tool for homeowners, gardeners, and landscape professionals who want to be part of the solution to climate change.
AWARDS
GOLD | 2018 Nautilus Book Awards: Ecology & Environment
Climate-Wise Landscaping : Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future
Description
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Doug Tallamy
Preface
Introduction: A Primer on Climate Change
SECTION 1: Lawn
I-1: Liberate the Lawn
A Primer on Landscape Chemicals
I-2: Reduce the Extent of Lawn
I-3: Minimize Use of Power Tools
I-4: Revive Damaged Lawns
I-5: Provide Good Preparation for New Lawns
I-6: Replace Some Lawn with Meadow
I-7: Ideas for Large/Public Lawns
SECTION II: Trees and Shrubs
II-1: Take Good Care of Woody Plants
II-2: Choose Species Able to Tolerate Changing Conditions
II-3: Maximize Carbon Storage in Woody Plants
II-4: Get the Most Cooling Benefit from Trees
SECTION III: Water
A Primer on Water Chemistry and Plants
III-1: Make Landscapes More Drought-Tolerant
III-2: Use Climate-Wise Irrigation Methods
III-3: Install Water-Collection Systems
III-4: Add Water-Absorbing Features
III-5: Create or Maintain Water Features
SECTION IV: Ecosystems
A Primer on Native Plants
IV-1: Prioritize for Native Plants
IV-2: Plant in Groups and Communities
IV-3: Create Habitat-Rich Layers and Edges
IV-4: Enhance Biodiversity
IV-5: Create Semi-Wild Patches
SECTION V: Soil
A Primer on Soil Carbon and Ecosystems
V-1: Maximize Carbon Storage in Soil
V-2: Minimize Soil Disturbance
V-3: Avoid Compacting the Soil
V-4: Build Compost
V-5: Cover Bare Soil
SECTION VI: Planning and Design
VI-1: Design New Home Sites with Climate in Mind
VI-2: Fit Landscape to Land
VI-3: Design for Multiple Purposes
VI-4: Create Energy-Wise Landscapes
VI-5: Design Flood-Wise Landscapes
VI-6: Install Buffer Zones
VI-7: Create Fire-Wise Landscapes
VI-8: Incorporate Renewable Energy
VI-9: Design Climate-Wise Driveways and Parking
SECTION VII: Herbaceous Plants
VII-1: Choose Regionally Appropriate Plants
VII-2: Garden to Support Pollinators
VII-3: Control Invasive Plants
VII-4: Design Perennial Gardens to Serve Local Ecosystems
SECTION VIII: Urban Issues
VIII-1: Maximize Urban Vegetation
VIII-2: Create More Green Roofs and Green Walls
VIII-3: Design Cool Roofs
VIII-4: Support the Use of Cool Pavement Techniques
VIII-5: Choose Climate-Wise Lighting
VIII-6: Create Habitat Corridors
SECTION IX: Food
IX-1: Grow Food Above the Ground
IX-2: Grow Long-Lived (Perennial) Sources of Food
IX-3: Use Organic Methods for Growing Food
IX-4: Support Locally Produced Food
IX-5: Harvest Wild Edibles
SECTION X: Materials
X-1: Stone
X-2: Wood
X-3: Metal
X-4: Concrete
X-5: Earthen Materials
Conclusion
Endnotes
Index
About the Authors
About New Society Publishers
Author Description
About Sue Reed
Sue Reed is a registered Landscape Architect with thirty years' experience designing sustainable landscapes that are ecologically rich, energy efficient, and climate-responsive. Sue served for 14 years as adjunct faculty at the Conway School of Landscape Design and has led numerous workshops on the subject of ecological landscaping. Sue is the author of Energy-Wise Landscape Design, for which she also provided much of the photography.
Ginny Stibolt, a life-long gardener with an MS degree in Botany from the University of Maryland, moved to NE Florida in 2004. She writes about Florida gardening. She manages a Sustainable Gardening for Florida Facebook page where she advocates for sustainable and organic gardening and green landscaping. She is co-manager of the Florida Native Plant Society Facebook page, where she works to increase the outreach so that Floridians know more about how an authentic Florida landscape should look.