Environmental Design, Inc.’s Post

#BNG and #smallsites - another head in hands experience. Development site is a suburban garden. Owner wants to build a new dwelling largely on the footprint of an existing garage. No significant ecological impact, but access requires removal of a semi-mature sycamore and some scrappy planted cypress. Ran the scheme through the Small Sites Metric (SSM). Outcome = 0.94 units required to meet target. Cost of purchase of units from a habitat bank (the only realistic solution) = c. £22.5k. Ran it through the Statutory Metric. Outcome = 0.64 units required to meet target. Cost of offsite solution c. £15k. That's a difference of c. £7500 depending on which metric is used! Why the difference? Both metrics overinflate the value of individual trees because canopy cover is exagerrated in the 'tree helper' but to make matters worse the SSM sets a default 'Moderate' condition for all trees and a default 'High Strategic Significance'. It's getting very dispiriting explaining to clients why they are likely to have to fork out between 15 - 25 thousand pounds to offset impacts which the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal says are insignificant. The only sweetener being 'I've saved you a few thousand by not using the Metric designed for small sites!' What's the point of the SSM? #planning #biodiversitynetgain

New for 2024, we’re introducing a regular column featuring our brilliant director of landscape engineering and sustainable drainage Lisa Sawyer – and her adorable dog Reggie. Lisa and Reggie will be out and about in the North West looking at sustainable drainage systems to get people thinking about and learning from drainage features which have been constructed. Lisa, who bought Reggie as a puppy a year ago, said: “Most people don’t know what they’re for or how important they are to managing water on and off a site. SuDS are often designed as a standalone feature within a site instead of being designed holistically with the input of other disciplines such as ecology and landscape architecture. “They’re a collection of important water management practices that align natural water processes with modern drainage systems and, at Land Studio, we use them as part of a larger green infrastructure strategy. “In the last few weeks, I think we’ve all been shocked by the dramatic flooding footage as river levels rise and our climate changes. “It made me think about how we get the best out of a layout of a site, how we work with its topography and how we provide multifunctional and accessible SuDS features. “Reggie absolutely loves going for walks so I’ll often combine one with a trip to a SuDS feature. “We’re going to be looking at lots of different examples, the good, the bad and the ugly, and considering how they deal with water flow and if there could have been a better way to incorporate them to give accessible amenity space and biodiversity benefits. “We’d love to hear from our readers too about what they think of the SuDS features they spot and how they could be improved.” * Do send us your SuDS photos and views or let us know if you'd like to be added to our monthly newsletter packed with news and views - just email info@landstudio-uk.com #suds #drainage #dog #dogsoflinkedin #biodiversity #water #engineeringexcellence #ecology #landscapearchitecture Kate Richards Simon Richards Val Gateley

MTA Partner, Carol Phillips, was proud to have been a featured panelist at the National Forest Policy Conference this week, hosted by the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. This year's theme, "national challenges, natural solutions, and building a brighter future", was explored by numerous panelists representing diverse industries such as real estate, natural resources, construction, design, and urban planning. The conference discussed the critical role sustainable Canadian forestry can play to help combat wildfires, housing affordability and sustainability, and climate-smart practices.   Carol shared the stage with Dr. Mike Moffatt, PhD, Senior Director of Policy and Innovation at Smart Prosperity Institute, Derek Eaton, Director of Future Economy at the The Transition Accelerator/ L’Accélérateur de transition, and Patrick Chouinard, Founder of Element5, and moderator Marianne Berube, former Executive Director of the Canadian Wood Council.   “[Timber] is our only low carbon solution… and it’s so Canadian, and it’s so connected to this land. We have the potential for regional identity, as the forests don’t look the same across the country, so why do all of our buildings look the same across the country? I think it is a fantastic opportunity.” – Carol Phillips, Moriyama Teshima Architects   Watch the full segment here, with Carol’s segment beginning at the 1:21:33 mark: https://lnkd.in/e-GaF5wc   #moriyamateshima #forestry #forest #nationalforestpolicyconference #policy #policymaking #buildingindustry #construction #constructionindustry #canadianforest #canadianforest #wood #buildingmaterial #sustainable #sustainability #sustainabledesign #sustainableconstruction #sustainablebuilding #buildingwithwood #masstimber #masstimberconstruction #masstimberbuilding #architecture #mtarch

LinkedIn informal poll -- 1) Are you an #architect or #builder? 2) Attending the #masstimberconference 2024 in Portland this month? 3) Curious about climate-smart wood? Join us! Weds 3/27 in the evening, come learn about what climate-smart wood is, and why you want it in your project. (HINT: Whether you're reducing carbon footprint, want to support local or minority-owned businesses, or want good wood that is also cost effective -- this event will help you find what you're looking for). #climate #climatechange #climatesmart #construction #constructionindustry #environment #corporatesocialresponsibility

One of our projects at Bryn Athyn College included The Grant R. Doering Center for Science and Research, which was designed and constructed using the U.S. Green Building Council‘s LEED Rating System (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an internationally recognized standard for what constitutes a “green building.” Among the green features of the Doering Center: Site and Water Garden - One of the biggest environmental impacts that buildings have is on the land itself. Because the Center was built on a previously developed site, greenspace and ecosystems were not disturbed. In fact, the ecosystem was enhanced through the creation of a rain garden, which absorbs runoff from the impervious surfaces and allows stormwater to soak into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains and local waterways. The plants within the rain garden include native wildflowers, sedges, rushes and ferns. Landscaping - The landscaping around the building features native, drought-tolerant and non-invasive trees, shrubs, and grasses. These native plantings eliminate the need for an irrigation system, minimize the need for fertilizer and pesticides, and establish a supportive ecosystem for birds and wildlife. Learn more about the ways in which the Doering Center contributes positively to the environment: https://lnkd.in/eWmUZw-c... #LEEDS #raingarden #ecosystem #nativeplants #environmentallyfriendly #landscapearchitecture #landscapedesign

Reclaim your water and improve your landscape with fertigation. 🌱 Utilizing a SludgeHammer advanced treatment system incorporated into the sustainable landscape of a new home design can not only reduce the environmental impact significantly over a conventional system but also protects it for a lifetime. Take advantage of nutrient-rich wastewater in the landscape architecture and reduce the need for fertilizer and extra water. Something we like to call fertigation. Learn more about incorporating the environmental and design benefits of a SludgeHammer into your plans at www.SludgeHammer.net - - - #sludgehammerdifference #sustainablelandscaping #lakelife #sustainablefarming

An article by Greg Weykamp illustrates the importance and various strategies of designing marinas with habitat in mind. https://lnkd.in/gFaw944d

The Artificial Lawn Company Ltd Feature in this issue discussing a hotly debated topic of artificial grass and its sustainability and biodiversity. With its uses becoming a lot more frequent around the landscaping industry the topic has become more an more of a heated discussion if its friendly to nature and its surroundings or not? This article gives a great overview on the subject and what you should consider when using artificial grass. Please use the link provided below to read this article. #Landscaping #UrbanDesign #Landscapers #ArtificialGrass #LANDUD https://joom.ag/zhnd/p12

Beavers are industrious aquatic architects who construct impressive dams using a combination of instincts and learned skills. They start by harvesting some of the building materials they need and then gnaw through tree trunks and branches with their sharp teeth. The real magic happens as they construct the dam’s superstructure. They work together, pulling everything to the building site, driving branches and logs into the stream bed's mud to form a sturdy base, and carefully assembling the materials they brought, including rocks and dirt, to create a solid dam that holds back water. Beavers are large rodents. They are vulnerable on land but nearly invincible in the water (they have excellent swimming skills and can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes). By damming a pond, beavers can hide from predators and get closer to their food sources, such as trees, water lilies, and cattails. However, the dams serve several essential purposes like water conservation, habitat creation for various aquatic creatures, and ecosystem benefits like filtering water, trapping soil, and even preventing floods. It's impressive how the outcomes of many combined beaver skills shape habitats to benefit many other species in a shared environment. Beavers are like frontline workers, contributing to creating better opportunities for others. For many people, the quality of service we enjoyed before the pandemic seems out of our reach today. If you let us assess how frontline members of your team are currently meeting your customers’ needs we might be able to suggest a holistic solution and provide a set of services that will allow you to set new standards in both internal and external service quality.

Puerto Rico, Vegetation & the Grid: Part #2:   II. The Importance of Planting Outside the Right-of-Way   A. Defining the Right-of-Way The right-of-way (ROW) is the designated area surrounding power lines where vegetation must be controlled to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the electrical system. This zone is critical for maintaining clearance between trees, shrubs, and power lines. B. Benefits of Strategic Planting Reduced Risk of Outages and Damage Planting trees and vegetation outside the ROW minimizes the risk of physical contact and subsequent power outages. By maintaining a safe distance, the likelihood of branches falling on lines during storms is significantly reduced. Enhanced Safety Properly managed vegetation outside the ROW reduces fire hazards and ensures that power lines remain accessible for maintenance and emergency repairs. This enhances overall safety for both utility workers and the public. Improved System Reliability and Efficiency Keeping vegetation away from power lines helps maintain consistent and reliable electricity transmission. It prevents mechanical stress on lines and reduces the risk of sagging and other structural issues. C. Environmental and Aesthetic Benefits Promoting Biodiversity Strategic planting can promote biodiversity by selecting native species that are compatible with the ROW requirements. This supports local ecosystems while maintaining the necessary clearance from power lines. Aesthetic Considerations Well-managed vegetation outside the ROW can enhance the visual appeal of the landscape. Thoughtful planting designs can create attractive green spaces that coexist harmoniously with the electrical infrastructure.