USDA Sustainable Landscaping Partnership

The Sustainable Landscaping Partnership is a project of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Participating agencies include the U.S. Forest Service (FS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS), and Departmental Administration (DA). The Partnership was formed to accomplish the following:

1. To reduce the environmental impacts of stormwater runoff and provide wildlife habitat by using environmentally beneficial landscaping at USDA-NCR facilities.

2. To use the sustainable landscaping as a demonstration area site for tourist, visitors, and employees. These living educational exhibits will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about environmental issues, about USDA programs and initiatives, and what citizens can do in their own backyards to help the environment.

3. To use the project as learning opportunities for our landscape contractors by enlisting them to participate as partners and using that knowledge at other facilities. It is one of our goals that the landscape contracts use environmentally sound landscape and pest maintenance practices.

4. To improve the appearance of the USDA owned grounds by using a landscape plans that will add color and interest to the sites.

5. To use this partnership as a model and the landscaping as a showcase for other public institutions in the region.

6. Provide cost-sharing opportunities for developing and implementing sustainable landscaping practices.

The Partnership’s mission is to create a visually inspiring United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters landscape that showcases environmentally responsible practices, engages and educates the public, provides social benefits for employees, and serves as a sustainable site planning model for public institutions in the region.

November 30, 2007 Sustainable Landscape Conference

Attendees at the November 30 Sustainable Landscaping Conference.

On November 30 the USDA Sustainable Landscape Partnership hosted a conference that was facilitated by the Departmental Administration Office of Operations. The highlight of the conference was a design charrette. The goal of the charette was to develop sustainable alternatives to the plantings and land use at the Jamie L. Whitten building. The Jamie L. Whitten building site is located on the National Mall and is one of USDA’s high profile grounds. Currently the bedding material at this site is rotated three times a year featuring spring bulbs, annuals, and cold weather bloomers. The landscaping costs at the Whitten Building exceed $240,000 annually. Additionally the existing landscape material requires irrigation. The design charette attracted over 75 participants including representatives from the National Park Service, EPA, Bureau of Land Management, US Botanical Garden, National Arboretum, DC Government, NCPC, numerous partner groups (ASLA, National Arbor Day Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Casey Trees, Low Impact Development Center, Alliance for Community Trees, National Mall Trust, Natural Resources Design), and professors and students from Morgan State, University of Maryland, Catholic University, Prescott University, Virginia Tech, and George Washington University.

The participants were divided into seven “zones” around that building. The teams developed concepts that reflected the themes and goals presented at the beginning of the design charette. The themes and goals included:

* Reduce stormwater runoff with raingardens, greenroofs and bioretention practices.

* Create new habitat with pollinator gardens.

* Educate public with interpretive signage and interactive features.

* Reduce maintenance costs with high performing native plants.

* Feature USDA agencies with thematic elements and plants.

* Improve the visual quality of the headquarters landscape.

* Provide learning opportunities for children.

* Organize and provide for a living memorial on site.

* Enhance Farmers Market operations and site integration.

Once the concept plans were completed, each team presented their concepts and vision to the entire group.

Next steps include compiling and digitizing the drawings and notes from the workshop, to set up a publicly accessible website for photos, resources and contact information, and to develop and publish a summary that will influence concept designs for the Jamie L. Whitten Building site.

Background Information:

There is an ever-increasing need in our world today to provide sustainable resources. Increases in stormwater runoff associated with development have had a substantially negative affect on the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Stormwater runoff erodes stream banks, exposes sewer lines, kills trees, destroys aquatic habitat and causes flooding. Stormwater runoff also transports oils, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and sediment to local waterways. In efforts to comply with Executive Order (E.O.) 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management," and other relevant legislation, Departmental Administration has risen to the challenge with a proactive solution. The USDA Beneficial Landscaping Partnership was created to use the landscaped grounds around the headquarters complex to highlight sustainable landscaping practices and the various missions of the USDA. This partnership presents a unique opportunity to use the headquarters facilities as a showcase for education, outreach and a model for other federal facilities.

For more information, please visit the USDA HQs Green Team website.