River-Friendly Landscaping is . . . |
A whole systems approach to the design, construction and maintenance of the landscape to
support the integrity of one of California’s key ecosystems, the Sacramento River
watershed.
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BASIC PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL SYSTEMS
1. Natural systems are inherently beautiful.
2. Nothing goes to waste.
3. Inputs are limited and are primarily defined by the
natural
resources on site.
4. The more diverse they are, the more stable they are. |
A well-designed and maintained River-Friendly
landscape can cost less to maintain in the long
run by consuming fewer resources. For public
spaces, River-Friendly landscapes embody
community values for health, wildlife and the
environment.
The River-Friendly landscape professional can create and maintain healthy,
beautiful and vibrant landscapes by:
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7 PRINCIPLES OF RIVER-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING
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Landscape Locally
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Landscaping in harmony with the natural conditions of the Sacramento River watershed. |
Landscape for Less to the Landfill
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Reducing waste and recycling
materials. |
Nurture the Soil
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Nurturing healthy soils while
reducing fertilizer use. |
Conserve Water
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Create drought resistant soils with compost and mulch. |
Conserve Energy
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Plant and protect shade trees; specify local products and suppliers. |
Protect Water & Air Quality
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Reducing stormwater runoff; using integrated pest management to minimize chemical use. |
Create & Protect Wildlife Habitat |
Creating wildlife habitat
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THE RIVER-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING BENEFITS CALCULATOR
Have you tried it yet? Why should I use this calculator?
The calculator walks you through some simple steps to define the characteristics of your landscape and your maintenance practices.
At the end, the calculator estimates the amount of water your landscape needs, as well as green waste and greenhouse gas emissions it produces, and the cost and labor required to maintain it, as compared to both a river-friendly landscape and a conventional one.
Click Here to Evaluate Your Landscape Now!
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These excerpts are taken from the River-Friendly Guidelines -
http://www.riverfriendly.org |
