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Tools for Transformation Funded Proposals

Sustainable Community Landscapes

College of Forest Resources
Ecosystem Sciences Division

We live in an increasingly urbanized world, where green space is becoming less common and more highly valued. Community landscapes provide an extension of the livable environment. Unfortunately, many public landscapes are neither well managed nor sustainable, with poor plant selection and maintenance. A variety of problems make such places unattractive and unhealthy for plants, animals, and humans. We have formed the Sustainable Community Landscapes (SCL) consortium to restore these declining landscapes. Sustainable or ecologically friendly landscapes consume less water, have reduced needs for fertilizer and pesticides, and avoid the use of non-native, invasive species. By applying plant and soil sciences, the SCL consortium serves to integrate the efforts of educational, non-profit, community, governmental, and industry groups in designing, building and restoring sustainable landscapes in public spaces. SCL is dedicated to increasing the percentage of sustainable yet aesthetically pleasing urban landscapes in the Puget Sound region. We are devoted to helping the community to recognize and apply sustainable management practices as preferable alternatives to current practices.

Contact: Linda Chalker-Scott
Associate Professor, Ecosystem Sciences Division
lindacs@u.washington.edu
Allocation: $50,000
Date Funded: April 2001


Progress Report, January 2002

2001 Highlights and Accomplishments
See also the Sustainable Community Landscapes 2001 Highlights page on their website for more links and pictures.
January
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Year-end Summary
2001 was a busy and successful year for Sustainable Community Landscapes. It was our first full year of operation, and we completed a number of projects and began many new partnerships and activities. Our four panel discussions had a combined attendance of over 100 people, and our dynamic speakers provided great insight and expertise. With help from UW's Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry students and community groups, we installed more sustainable, aesthetically pleasing landscapes at three public sites. We also performed site analyses and created design and management plans for five more sites. Our director and program coordinator gave presentations and provided technical assistance to a number of groups, ranging from the Association of Women in Horticulture to Friends of Louisa Boren Park to University of Washington classes. During the year, we added over 30 new partners to the consortium. As a result of these partnerships, we are planning diverse activities for 2002, including an educational symposium, additional panel discussions, and a series of hands-on restoration workshops. We look forward to working with our many wonderful partners for many years to come.

Tools for Transformation Funded Proposals