Traditional landscaping and current landscape maintenance practices often have harmful environmental impacts, including the clearance of natural habitats, extensive use of pollution-emitting mechanical equipment, consumption of water and fuel resources, and the frequent use of fertilizers and pesticides. The EPA promotes the adoption of more ecologically beneficial alternatives such as natural or native landscaping in which indigenous rather than imported plants are used. This approach can yield great benefits, including safer environments for our families, quieter neighborhoods, water conservation, reduced landscape maintenance costs, reduced waste generation and even lower heating and cooling bills.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• GreenScapes
  Provides information about environmentally beneficial landscaping.
• Green Landscaping: Greenacres
  Landscaping with native wildflowers and grasses improves the environment.
• Water - Efficient Landscaping: Preventing Pollution and Using Resources Wisely
  This booklet describes the benefits of water - efficient, low - impact landscaping.

Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquaculture, Coral Reefs, Estuaries, Freshwater Ecosystems, Lakes, Marine Ecosystems, Oceans, Shellfish Protection

Ecological Monitoring
Ecological Assessment, Environmental Indicators

Ecological Restoration

Landscape Ecology

Mines
Abandoned Mine

Soils
Erosion, Leaching

Species
Endangered Species, Exotic Species

Terrestrial Ecosystems
Coasts, Forests, Urban Ecosystems, Watersheds, Wetlands