Front Range Sustainable Landscaping - Recently Updated Pages

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LiseM — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:03:45 CDT

Front Range Sustainable Landscaping Coalition is a collaboration of landscape professionals building a knowledge base of sustainable landscaping principles for the front range of the Rocky Mountains.

Sustainable Landscape Principles for Colorado A Checklist of Sustainable Practices for the Front Range
Resources Find and List Suppliers, Sub-contractors and Other Resources for Sustainable Landscaping
Downloads Information and presentations concerning Sustainable Landscaping
Coalition Members Become a Member of the Coalition
Sustainable Landscaping Links Find more information about Sustainable Landscaping
Sustainable Landscaping Symposium Next year's date: February 11, 2010
Sustainable Landscaping Symposium in the News at Denver Botanic Gardens February 12, 2009

Upcoming Events! Marcia Tatroe Garden Tour Fundraiser

Want to help with fund raising for FRSLC, but can't make it to the garden tour? Enter our raffle for a free full pass to ProGreen Expo 2009 at $5 per chance or 5 for $20. Call 303-909-4755 For sale through the night of the event, June 17, 2009

Upcoming Events

LiseM — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:52:41 CDT

Garden Party and Tours at Marcia Tatroe’s Residence
A Fund Raising Event for FRSLC
June 17, 2009 6 - 9 pm Registration closes June 10

Marcia Tatroe is a nationally known garden writer, speaker, and photographer who has graciously opened her garden to us and will be giving tours throughout the evening. Her garden features many elements including indigenous plants, a multitude of container gardens, a water garden, and many rare plants and perennials. The garden serves an excellent example for examining techniques to channel rainwater in a suburban setting, and offers FRSLC an opportunity to highlight our 2009 symposium theme of water issues along the front range.

In addition to her new book, “Cutting Edge Gardening in the Intermountain West”, Tatroe has also written the popular book “Perennials for Dummies”, and columns on gardening in many other publications. An avid rock gardener and perennial plantsperson, she has over 2500 species of plants in her quarter acre, suburban landscape. Marcia will be available for book signing and there will be copies of her books available for purchase. This will be a zero waste event and all proceeds will go to the FRSLC to help provide education opportunities to professionals and the public that focus on sustainable landscaping practices.
$29 per person (includes appetizers, drinks, door prizes and tour)
Call 303-909-4655 to register Registration closes June 10, 2009

Want to help with fund raising for FRSLC, but can't make it to the garden tour? Enter our raffle for a free full pass to ProGreen Expo 2009 at $5 per chance or 5 for $20. Available for sale until the night of the event. Call 303-909-4655

Kevin J. Cook
A Home for All: Landscapes for Wildlife
To be rescheduled for this fall at Denver Botanic Gardens

Landscapes that provide homes for wildlife help offset the loss of habitat caused by agriculture and development. Join naturalist Kevin J. Cook to learn simple but effective ways to create wildlife friendly landscapes and add value to your landscape service offerings.
Kevin J. Cook is a naturalist , writer, and consultant, with an M.S. in wildlife biology living in Fort Collins. He teaches and writes about wildlife, as well as consults around habitat issues in the built landscape. His website, Wildlife Window, is a great resource for information on local wildlife and his upcoming schedule of classes.

$12 DBG members, $15 public Call 720-865-3580 or go to Denver Botanic Gardens to register .

Sponsored by the Front Range Sustainable Landscaping Coalition and Denver Botanic Gardens

Downloads

LiseM — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:56:56 CDT

Welcome to the Downloads Page. You are welcome to download the attachments included below for your use. Please respect the copywrited material and give full attribution to those who have created this work.

AVAILABLE NOW: 2009 Symposium presentations by Brad Lancaster, Michelle DeLaria, and Keith Bowers, plus the newest Sustainable Landscaping Principles for Colorado checklist and more.

Sustainable Landscaping Symposium

VBDesignscapes — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:14:19 CST

downloads
PASSION TO ACTION: Muddy Waters: Who Owns the Rain
FEBRUARY 12, 2009 at Denver Botanic Gardens

Water is the greatest challenge in creating sustainable Colorado landscapes, homes and communities. Rainwater and greywater are potential sources of water, but can they be used legally in Colorado? And if so, how?

AGENDA

8:00-8:30 am Registration/Check-In; Coffee, Tea, bagels & muffins

8:30-9:00 am Welcome from Denver Botanic Gardens; Denver Water, ALCC & FRSLC

9:00-10:00 am Opening Keynote : Brad Lancaster, author of the three book series Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands will share how rainwater gardens transformed his home and community in Tucson,Arizona and provide detailed information on rainwater systems for Colorado.

10:00-10:30 am Break and Book signing

10:30-12:00 pm Panel discussion, A panel discussion of Colorado water law, the legality of rainwater and greywater use, and possible changes to existing law. Moderated by Paul Lander, Executive Director of Colorado Waterwise Council, with Beorn Courtney, PE; Bart Miller, Water Attorney; Mike Vail, greywater specialist; Jenny Fifita, Reclaimed Water System Analyst; and Zach Johnson, ASLA

12:00- 1:00 pm Lunch Round tables hosted by the panelists and speakers

1:15- 2:15 pm Session – Michelle DeLaria, stormwater BMP scientist with Denver Urban Drainage, will present the effects of land development on waterways and the use of Low Impact Development (LID) or stormwater runoff reduction and infiltration techniques to reduce harm to waterways. She will discuss using LID techniques to protect long-term environmental, economic and social value.

2:15-2:30 pm Break

2:30-3:30 pm Closing Keynote – Keith Bowers, president and founder of Biohabitats, a pioneering ecological restoration company, is a landscape architect with a deep interest in sustainable landscaping. He’ll explore ways in which use of rainwater and greywater in the landscape can create and preserve vital habitat on site and downstream. Keith will discuss how restoring ecological functioning to all of our landscape is the fundamental path to sustainability, and how healthy soil is crucial to all restoration work.

3:30-4:00 pm Final Discussion

2009 Symposium Speakers' Bios

PRICE $75 pre-registered and DBG members, $90 at door, Students $20. $10 optional lunch

Call DBG at 720-865-3580 to register

SYMPOSIUM MAKES LOCAL NEWS

Feb.12, 2009 Symposium in the News

VBDesignscapes — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:59:04 CST

2009 Symposium on Channel 4 News

2009 Symposium News Article

Sustainable Landscape Links

LiseM — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:11:49 CST

General Information
GreenScapes / EPA
Sustainable Sites Initiative
The Greenest Garden-Sustainable Landscapes Blog
Sustainable Landscaping | Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping blog
Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series

Associations/Organizations
ELA - Ecological Landscaping Association
Ecolandscape.org
Native Plants, Natural Landscapes

Colorado Resources
Colorado Energy : Colorado Governor's Energy Office

Grey Water
Colorado Building Green, Newsletter August\September 2008 Water Conservation Through Residential Greywater Reuse

Materials
StopWaste.Org - Products List

Certification/Standards
complete_guidelines.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

Plants
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Native Plants & Wildflowers
Colorado Native Plant Society

Unsorted
Looking toward a greener future at the ANLA Management Clinic - Landscape Management
Statement of Purpose - Sustainable Gardening Australia
Safelawns.org - Organic Solutions for a Healthier Planet
Turning The Ship - Download Final Report
Main Page - PharosWiki
About Biocontrol Network
Climate Chronicles
Greenbridge Developments, LLC :: Green Technology
Tools of Change - Outils de changement
Welcome to County Landscape & Design
Sustainable landscaping pubs available from OSU
Middlebrook Gardens
Policies that Address Sustainable Landscaping Practices
Residential Landscape Sustainability - Book Information
LOHAS: Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability
Environmental News Network
Colorado Water Education Task Force
Waste Home - Tools | Climate Change - What You Can Do | U.S. EPA
SMRC Home
Pollution Prevention:Landscaping and Lawn Care
LandscapeOnline.com :: Article : Nitrogen Fertilizers Deplete Organic Carbon
LandscapeOnline.com :: Article : Fertilizer Bans Spread Across North America
American Forests: CITYgreen
National Urban & Community Forest Coalition
landscapers.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Living Building Challenge — Cascadia Region Green Building Council

2008 Symposium: Landscaping Matters Speakers and Topics

LiseM — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:26:26 CST

‘LANDSCAPING MATTERS’ Schedule February 14, 2008

9:30 *Pollution: production, reduction and mitigation Lise Mahnke
of air and water pollution

9:45 *Habitat creation and biodiversity preservation Jim Tolstrup,
High Plains Environmental Center

10:00 *Compost and soils Dan Matsch, Ecocycle

10:15 *Landscaping Materials Paul Acker

10:30 Break

10:45 *Urban forestry and plants Ray Daugherty
Front Range Community College

11:00 Water use: irrigation Leslie Martien, Aquacraft Inc,
Water Management and Engineering

11:15 *Role of Landscaping in Water Quality Protection Jane Clary, Wright Water Engineers

11:30 *Human Well-being Julie Pollack,
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

11:45 Discussion

*PowerPoint presentation

2008 Speakers' Bios

2009 Symposium Speakers' Bios

LiseM — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:11:49 CST

Keith Bowers recognized the need for ecological restoration more than 25 years ago, before it was even recognized as a field. Since then, this internationally recognized landscape architect has planned, designed, and managed the construction of over 200 ecological restoration projects throughout the United States. He also teaches ecological restoration seminars and workshops and participates on numerous industry panels. Keith actively volunteers for organizations supporting ecological restoration. He’s currently serving as Chairman of the Board for the Society for Ecological Restoration International.

Beorn Courtneyhas been a water resources consultant for over 10 years.She is currently working on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program; previous experience includes water supply planning, river basin modeling, and water rights investigations.A registered Professional Engineer, she has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a M.S. in Water Resources Engineering from theUniversityofColorado.

Michelle DeLaria is the CASFM Stormwater Quality committee chair person and a Stormwater BMP scientist/researcher with Urban Drainage and Flood Control District in Denver, Colorado, specializing in Low Impact Development (LID). Prior to joining Urban Drainage, Michelle developed and managed JeffersonCounty's Stormwater Quality program for five years and has an additional 10 years of experience in water quality and environmental compliance. Michelle holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from Colorado School of Mines and is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

Jenny Fifita is Reclaimed Water System Analyst with the city of Westminster, providing program direction and education on the appropriate applications of reuse water within the community.

Zach Johnson is an Assistant Professor at Colorado State University in the Landscape Design and Contracting and Landscape Business Programs. He also owns Green Ink Designs, LLC, a design firm specializing in residential and commercial landscape architecture. Zach holds an undergraduate degree in Landscape Horticulture and a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture. He is a licensed landscape architect, Certified Landscape Professional and a Certified Landscape Technician.

Brad Lancaster has a successful permaculture consulting, design, and education business focused on integrated and sustainable approaches to landscape design, planning, and living. Rainwater harvesting has long been one of his specialties and a passion. At home he and his brother harvest over 100,000 gallons of rainwater a year on a 1/8th acre urban lot and adjoining right-of-way. This harvested water is then turned into living air conditioners of food-bearing shade trees, abundant gardens, and a thriving landscape incorporating wildlife habitat, beauty, edible and medicinal plants, and more. Brad states “I started writing Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond as a way to further empower my clients and my community to make such positive change in their own lives and back yards by harvesting rainwater...I believe we all can become beneficial stewards of the land, and partners in the ecosystem in which we live, and I believe that by sustainably harvesting rainwater we can all begin to transform our households from consumers of resources to producers of resources.”

Paul Lander has worked in the fields of water, energy and land conservation for over 27 years. He became the first Executive Director or the Colorado WaterWise Council in June of 2008, with the previous 16 years directing the city of Boulder’s award-winning water conservation program. Dr. Lander attended the Universities of Washington and Colorado, receiving graduate degrees in landscape architecture and geography, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and is an instructor for the University of Colorado and the American Water Works Association.

Bart Miller is Water Program Director at Western Resource Advocates (WRA), a non-profit law and policy organization dedicated to protecting the West’s land, air, and water. At WRA he directs projects throughout the region to improve urban water use efficiency, minimize the water-related impacts of energy development, and protect and restore river flows and other habitat in many river basins. He represents other conservation organizations in civil litigation, lobbies for legislation, and promotes forward-looking environmental policy.

Mike Vail has been in the private sector for decades and is the owner of Water Legacy, a product for indoor greywater use.

Water Conserrvation and Irrigation

LiseM — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:02:51 CDT

As in all sustainable design, it is important to balance water use with the benefits it creates (e.g. neighborhood character, recreation, food production, preservation of trees). Irrigation practices included at basic level are not meant to exclude a landscape that requires no irrigation.

#	Cat code	Sub code	Level		Practice

1	WC	DS	B	Water Harvesting	Make use of runoff from roofs, hardscapes, and drainage from neighbors
1.1	WC	DS	M		Grade landscape (using swales, terraces, detention ponds, etc.) to encourage infiltration in desired areas (not next to foundation!)
2	WC	MT	B	Water Budgeting	10-14 gallons/square foot/season supplemental water
2.1	WC	MT	M		5-9 gallons/square foot/season supplemental water
2.2	WC	MT	A		0-4 gallons/square foot/season supplemental water
3	WC	DS	B	Water-conserving Landscape Design	Design lawn areas for efficient water coverage (limit overspray, no slopes, proper size, etc.)
3.1	WC	DS	B		Group plants according to their water needs
3.2	WC	DS	M		Reduce ET rates for higher water use zones (Windbreaks, canopy/understory levels, solar orientation)
3.3	WC	MT	A		Capture snow in windbreaks and use as winter watering
4	WC	DS	B	Irrigation Design	Zone irrigation system according to microclimates
4.1	WC	MP	B		Use low-volume irrigation (drip, soaker, large droplet sprayhead) for planting beds where ongoing irrigation is required
4.2	WC	MP	B		Design and operate system so that all components are operating at proper pressure
4.3	WC	MP	M		Use subsurface irrigation for lawns
4.4	WC	MP	M		Include a master valve
4.5	WC	RQ	M		Minimize use of PVC -- needs more research
4.6	WC	MT	A		Use a temporary/removeable irrigation system for low and very-low water use landscapes
5	WC	MP	B	Operation and Maintenance	Adjust irrigation schedule according to soil and weather conditions (manual adjustment, water budget timers, ET tmers, soil moisture sensors)
5.1	WC	ES	B		Educate customer on proper operation and maintenance of irrigation system including seasonal adjustments
5.2	WC	DS	B		Sprinkler systems achieve a Distribution Uniformity of 60%
5.3	WC	EC	B		Match irrigation schedule to soil type (e.g. soak-n-cycle irrigation for high clay)
5.4	WC	MT	B		Maintain irrigation system
5.5	WC	MT	B		Reduce watering frequency as plants become established over first season and for several years.
5.6	WC	MT	A		Don't water (or limit watering) cool-season grasses in heat of summer (KBG & Perennial Rye will go dormant)
5.7	WC	ES	A		Check actual water use of established landscape against designed water budget
6	WC	DS	B	Water Features	Design water features for minimal water use (recirculating, shaded, pondless, no exposed water, no mist) and consider alternatives such as dry stream beds and wind chimes

Key to Checklist Classifications

Categories:

I. Site Preparation, Grading and Soil Improvement (SP)

II. Water Conservation and Irrigation (WC)

III. Planting, Plant Choices and Plant Production (PL)

IV. Hardscape and Rockwork (HA)

V. Mulch and Mulching (MU)

VI. Mobilization and Clean Up (MC)

VII. Maintenance (MA)

Subcategories:

Design (DS)

Materials/Products (MP)

Methods (MT)

Energy Use (EN)

Ecology (EC)

Economy/Social (ES)

Levels:

Basic (B) - Practices that any landscape that call itself sustainable should follow. Often already common industry practices.

Moderate (M) - Practices that fall between basic and advanced.

Advanced (A) - Practices that would require a significant shift in the way the industry does business. May be more costly.

Site Preparation, Grading, and Soil Improvement

LiseM — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:32:22 CDT


#	Cat	Sub	Level		Practice

1	SP	MT	B	Site Assessment	Assess site before beginning work for: hazardous materials, wind and water erosion potential, noxious weeds, site history, soil seed bank
2	SP	MT	B	Weed Control	Tailor weed control practices for conditions of site
2.1	SP	DS	B		Design landscape with weed invasion potential of various areas in mind
2.2	SP	MT	B		Use least toxic strategies for weed control
2.3	SP	MT	B		Use thick mulches (4" settled organic mulch)
2.4	SP	MT	A		Consider use of cover crops to outcompete weeds and exhaust soil seed bank (and improve soil)
2.5	SP	MT	A		Consider using sheet mulch to smother weeds
3	SP	MT	B	Vegetation Protection	Protect vegetation to be retained
3.1	SP	MT	B		Follow a tree protection plan per ISA standards or certified arborist recommendations
4	SP	MT	B	Avoid Soil Compaction	Don't compact soil and create hard-pan
4.1	SP	MT	B		Designate site access and material storage areas
4.4	SP	MT	B		Avoid traffic on soil when wet
4.2	SP	MT	M		Use light weight equipment and hand labor
4.3	SP	MT	M		Use track vs wheeled equipment
5	SP	MT	M	Minimize Waste Hauling	Minimize debris hauled off site
5.1	SP	MT	B		Dispose of hazardous materials appropriately (e.g. railroad ties, lead paint, asbestos)
5.2	SP	MT	M		Keep existing landscape features as much as possible
5.3	SP	MT	M		Re-use materials from existing landscape, if possible (e.g. use concrete debris to make retaining walls, tree limbs to make mulch)
5.4	SP	MT	A		Deconstruct rather than demolish
6	SP	MT	B	Recycling	When removing debris from site, recycle as much as possible (as close to site as possible)
7	SP	MT	B	Erosion Control	Follow GreenCO BMP "Landscape Installation and Erosion and Sediment Control" guidelines during grading and construction
8	SP	DS		Grading	Grade to accomplish design goals while minimizing site disturbance and accomplishing the following:
8.1	SP	DS	B		Grade to minimize erosion
8.2	SP	DS	B		Grade to minimize water use (e.g. avoid steep sodded berms)
8.3	SP	DS	M		Grade to balance cut and fill
8.4	SP	DS	M		Grade to allow groundwater recharge without endangering structures
9	SP	DS	A	Create Microclimates	Use grading to create beneficial microclimates for plants and people
10	SP	MT	B	Conserve Native Soil	Conserve native soil, including topsoil
10.1	SP	MT	B		Store topsoil, if necessary, in a way to preserve soil life
11	SP	MT	M	Soil Improvement Needed?	Only improve soil where needed for plants that are not adapted to existing conditions
12.1	SP	MT	M	On Site Soil Improvement	Improve soil using on site resources
12.2	SP	MT	B		Till in organic matter produced by site prep
12.3	SP	MT	M		Use removed sod to build berms
12.4	SP	MT	M		Compost organic matter from site prep
12.6	SP	MT	M		Sow cover crops (prevent erosion, grow out weed seeds in soil seed bank, increase soil organic matter, can fix nitrogen)
12.7	SP	MT	M		Lay sheet mulch (also suppresses weeds)
12.5	SP	MT	A		Chip larger organic debris from site for mulch
13	SP	MT	B	Soil Amendments	As needed, bring in soil amendments that build soil health
13.1	SP	MP	B		As with all green materials, when sourcing soil amendments prefer local, non-toxic materials with low embodied energy
13.2	SP	MP	B		Use local, recycled materials (e.g. manure, brewery waste, sawdust and wood chips, yard waste, agricultural waste, sewage sludge [on non-edible plants])
13.3	SP	MP	B		Use compost to create topsoil. Don't import topsoil or topsoil mixes
13.4	SP	MT	B		Till compost in 6-8" deep
13.6	SP	MT	B		Choose bulk soil amendments over bagged
13.7	SP	MP	B		Use organic soil amendments, not fertilizers. Organic soil amendments contain a full range of plant nutrients, add organic matter which improves the structure, water holding capacity and pollution mitigation potential of the soil, and feed soil life.
13.5	SP	MT	M		Loosen subsoil with deep trenching, deep forking, chisel plow
14	SP	MT	A	Soil Life	Consider bringing in living things to improve the soil, such as worms, mycorrhizae and biologically active compost tea
15	SP	MT	A	Structural Soil	Consider using structural soil in urban or high traffic areas

Key to Checklist Classifications

Categories:

I. Site Preparation, Grading and Soil Improvement (SP)

II. Water Conservation and Irrigation (WC)

III. Planting, Plant Choices and Plant Production (PL)

IV. Hardscape and Rockwork (HA)

V. Mulch and Mulching (MU)

VI. Mobilization and Clean Up (MC)

VII. Maintenance (MA)

Subcategories:

Design (DS)

Materials/Products (MP)

Methods (MT)

Energy Use (EN)

Ecology (EC)

Economy/Social (ES)

Levels:

Basic (B) - Practices that any landscape that call itself sustainable should follow. Often already common industry practices.

Moderate (M) - Practices that fall between basic and advanced.

Advanced (A) - Practices that would require a significant shift in the way the industry does business. May be more costly.

Introduction to Sustainable Landscape Principles

LiseM — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:01:48 CDT

Best Practices for a Sustainable Colorado Landscape provided by the Front Range Sustainable Landscaping Coalition

A sustainable Colorado landscape balances resource use with tangible benefits to the local, regional and global environment throughout its lifespan.

This checklist of best practices represents the collective work of over 40 green industry professionals from Colorado's Front Range. These professionals include landscape contractors, landscape designers, landscape architects, nursery owners, and educators.

The checklist is divided into seven categories:

Site Preparation, Grading and Soil Improvement (SP)

Water Conservation and Irrigation (WC)

Planting, Plant Choices and Plant Production (PL)

Hardscape and Rockwork (HA)

Mulch and Mulching (MU)

Mobilization and Clean Up (MC)

Maintenance (MA)

Each practice is also identified as belonging to one of six subcategories:

Design (DS)

Materials/Products (MP)

Methods (MT)

Energy Use (EN)

Ecology (EC)

Economy/Social (ES)

Finally, each practice is rated as meeting one of three levels:

Basic (B) - Practices that any landscape that call itself sustainable should follow. Often already common industry practices.

Moderate (M) - Practices that fall between basic and advanced.

Advanced (A) - Practices that would require a significant shift in the way the industry does business. May be more costly.

Please feel free to use this checklist in your business. If you wish to suggest revisions, you may join this wiki and add whatever comments you wish under the "Threads" section of the applicable page. To join the Coalition as we work to educate ourselves and others about sustainable landscaping in our region.

Sustainable Landscape Principles for Colorado

LiseM — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:31:34 CDT

Recommended practices for landscape construction

Introduction
Mobilization and Cleanup
Site Preparation, Grading, and Soil Improvement
Water Conservation and Irrigation
Planting and Plant Choices
Hardscape and Rockwork
Mulch and Mulching
Maintenance Matters
Unclassified

To download a copy of the Best Practices for a Sustainable Colorado Landscape, please vist the downloads page. You will need Adobe Reader to open the file which is available to download here.

Mobilization and Cleanup

LiseM — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:30:19 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Unclassified

LiseM — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:12:22 CST

NOW AVAILABLE--the final Sustainable Landscape Principles for Colorado Checklist is available for download. Just scroll down this page to find it under the Attachments section. Note there is only one file to download, which is the same file on each page.

Maintenance Matters

LiseM — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:11:33 CST

Mulch

LiseM — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:08:46 CST

Hardscape and Rockwork

LiseM — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:07:24 CST

Planting and Plant Choices

LiseM — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:02:21 CST

2008 Speakers' Bios

LiseM — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:08:34 CST

Kim Sorvig (kim@meaningfulplaces.com) is a noted landscape architect, design critic, and environmental author from Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has over 28 years of experience creating, teaching and writing about interpretive and sustainable places. Internationally known for his work as Contributing Editor of Landscape Architecture magazine and as co-author of Sustainable Landscape Construction, he is a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Garth Conrad is a landscape designer in LaPorte, Indiana. He is the Environmental Chair for the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), is on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association (MELA), which has organized many events focused on sustainable landscaping. He was an eloquent speaker on sustainable landscape design at the 2007 APLD Conference, ‘Sustainable Designs, Diverse Cultures, Remarkable Landscapes’.

Dan Matsch is the director of Eco-Cycle’s new composting program and has also been the manager of Eco-Cycle’s innovative Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials since joining the staff in 2001. Dan draws on 14 years of experience as an organic farmer and composter to help Eco-Cycle add the significant new piece to its business operations – tackling the organic waste stream of our customers and developing a range of markets for new compost products. Dan is also involved in the formation of a new regional composters association, the Rocky Mountain Organics Council.

Dan’s presentation experience includes presentations to the US Compost Council Annual Conference on compost tea and zero waste, as well as several presentations of various aspects of organic farming at the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association annual conferences. The NAFDMA mission is to develop and promote new direct marketing opportunities for small farmers and it is the largest association of its kind.

Jane Clary is a Senior Water Resources Scientist with WWE where she has focused on water quality issues, stormwater, watershed management, and water conservation for the past 15 years. Currently, she is working with the Green Industries of Colorado (GreenCO) to update their water conservation and water quality Best Management Practices (BMP) manual, which includes addressing the role of landscape in Low Impact Development, as well as sustainability concepts relevant to the Green Industry. Other recent work has included key roles in developing the Denver Water Quality Management Plan, updating the Denver Storm Drainage and Technical Criteria Manual, helping to develop and manage the International Stormwater BMP Database (www.bmpdatabase.org), and participating in updating Volumes 1 and 2 of the Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual. She has also served as the Watershed Coordinator for the Big Dry Creek Watershed Association (www.bigdrycreek.org) for over ten years. As Project Coordinator for the International Stormwater BMP Database Project, she routinely interacts with a broad range of entities both seeking and providing stormwater BMP data. She has also worked on stormwater BMP implementation issues in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas.

Paul Acker has a Bachelors of Architecture Degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Certificate in Construction Management from Colorado State University, and has been an active member of both the Boulder Green Building Guild and the U. S. Green Building Council - Colorado Chapter since their beginnings. For 4 years Paul worked at the Building Division of ECO-PRODUCTS, in Boulder. There Paul used over 25 years experience in commercial and residential construction and design to assist architects, contractors and homeowners searching for non-toxic, rapidly replenished, resource efficient, or recycled products suitable for their projects. Through his company, Sustainable Building for the Real World, he consults on sustainable design and building materials.

Leslie Martien joined Aquacraft in 2002 after completing her Bachelor of Science in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering at the University of Colorado. She has worked with technology developed for water efficient landscape designs and worked on system planning projects evaluating new conservation technologies. Ms. Martien is an Irrigation Association Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor with experience in irrigation system design and evaluation as well as waterwise landscaping.
She has worked on projects for the Colorado Department of Human Services researching water rights, water reuse for irrigation, the value of water for Pinellas County, Florida, landscape audits for the University of Colorado, Boulder, and indoor and landscape audits of the Denver Public libraries.

John Kurowski has been an active pioneer in the Green Movement long before it was called “Green.” His commitment to Green Issues goes back 33 years. Both Governors Lamm and Romer asked him to serve on special environmental task forces representing the Home Building Industry. John has been recognized twice as Built Green Custom Builder of the Year. He is considered to be the Grandfather of the Built Green movement by his peers. John has received numerous industry awards. Two of which he is most proud of are “The Lifetime Achievement Award” presented to him at the NAHB National Convention in Dallas in 1998 for his 25 year commitment and accomplishments building the Green Movement; and a special President’s Award in 1999 from the Denver Home Builders Association for recognition of his special contributions to the Built Green Program for Colorado. In 2000, John received the Built Green Award of Excellence. He received the E-Star Excellence in Energy Efficiency Award in the 2001 Mile High Tour of Homes and was awarded the E-Star “The Most Energy-Efficient Homes of the New Millennium” in 2001, 2002, and 2003. John is a past President of the Home Builders Association and was Chairman of the 2004 National Green Building Conference. In 2006, John was awarded the “HAP” (Home Builders and Associates in Partnership) Award, which recognizes builders who foster goodwill with their business associates.

Jim Tolstrup is the Executive Director of the High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland, CO. Jim’s past work experience includes serving as Director of Shambhala Botanic Gardens and Preserve in Red Feather Lakes, CO and running his own landscape design business in Kennebunkport, Maine where he installed gardens at George and Barbara Bush’s “Summer White House.” Jim holds a certificate in gardening arts from Harvard University, he has written numerous articles on gardening and environmental stewardship for various publications, and is a past recipient of Denver Water’s Xeriscape Award and ALCC’s Excellence in Landscaping Merit Award.

Julie Stewart-Pollack is the founder and Director of the Green Design Area of Emphasis and Coordinator of campus sustainability at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design in Lakewood. Her research and professional practice focuses on understanding the human need for nature (Biophilia) as a rationale for the conservation of natural environments and as a premise for the design of the built environment. She is the co-author of the ASID/Polsky Foundation Award winning book Designing for Privacy and Related Needs, and has written numerous Biophilic design articles in Interiors & Sources magazine and Ultimate Home Design Magazine. Julie has presented workshops and seminars on sustainable design and Biophilic Design at The ASID National Conferences, IDEC International Conferences, EnvironDesign and West Coast Green conferences. She is NCIDQ certified and a professional member of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), The Interior Design Educator's Council (IDEC) and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Ray Daugherty joined the Horticulture and Landscape Technologies faculty of Front Range Community College in 1998 after working in Colorado’s Green industry since high school. Ray holds a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from Colorado State University and while at CSU was inducted into the Pi Alpha Xi, the honor society for ornamental horticulture and Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society for agriculture. In addition to his work at FRCC, Ray is a Colorado Certified Nursery Professional and sits on both the Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association’s the Nursery Professional and Greenhouse Grower Certification Committees. Ray is also an avid plant photographer and supplied the bulk of the plant that appear in the Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association’s Rocky Mountain Plant Guide. Ray lives near Brighton Colorado and is learning how to grow a xeric (nearly non-irrigated) garden on loamy sand soil.

Lise Mahnke is a writer and award winning landscape designer from Lakewood, CO. She has been involved with environmental landscapes as owner of Earth Mamas since 1990. Winner of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado’s Garvey Award for distinguished service in recognition of her work concerning water conservation and Colorado Green Magazine, she also writes two industry related web logs. Her newest blog, www.TheGreenestGarden.com, is directed toward the Green Industry and mitigating the environmental impact of built landscapes and working toward sustainability. Dry Ideas is a gardening blog for the Rocky Mountain Region at www.Dry-Ideas.com. She supports the Front Range Sustainable Landscaping Coalition in part by managing their wiki available at www.frslc.wetpaint.com.

Coalition Members

LiseM — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:04:34 CST

At the time being the Front Range Sustainable Landscaping Coalition is an informal group made up of landscape design and construction professionals in the Denver/Boulder area. There are plans in the making for the coalition to become a more formal organization. We welcome all who are interested in issues of sustainability. If you are interested in becoming involved, contact Lise@TheGreenestGarden.com.