Uh, oh--I'm headed for trouble again. Nobody=20 (well, with the exception of a distinct minority)=20 likes my ideas; they seem to offend just about=20 everybody. (How can an idea offend? Certainly=20 rudeness, body odor, etc. can be offensive, but=20 why do so many of us consider an idea or=20 statement with which we might disagree=20 offensive? How can any intellectual endeavor=20 proceed under pressure to be politically=20 correct?) Have some fun refuting them.
Anyway, here goes (with a sample): 1. End landscaping. Unlike ecosystems,=20 landscaping requires water, fertilizer,=20 maintenance, and all the resource/energy/habitat=20 depletion and outright waste connected with those=20 activities. But this seems to be attacking a=20 multi-billion-dollar complex of businesses;=20 therefore it will be attacked by all those who=20 think their professional ox will be gored in some=20 way. Landscaping is, by definition,=20 unsustainable--a sizeable "footprint" on the face=20 of the earth, however cosmetic. 2. End mass-grading. So-called "structural"=20 fills are a profit-extending device that places=20 the equivalent of ancient landslides over lower=20 lands. They will "slide" in the future, when=20 they load up with water. But that takes enough=20 time for the "builders" to be long gone. 3. Permit building only on land that diminishes=20 only those habitats that are in the greatest=20 supply. End building in flood plains and other=20 hazardous sites, as well as biologically rare ones. 4. Tolerate no lying about biology and=20 ecology. For example, stop claiming that sites=20 are "only" weed-covered wastes, and report the=20 site's historic biological character. And=20 require that it be treated in accordance with its=20 biological and ecological potential, based on=20 real, complete scientific assessment, not upon "expert opinion." 5. Tolerate no hyperbole via use of the terms=20 "ecological," "sustainable," "green," etc. I could go on and on . . . WT At 01:54 PM 12/14/2007, Ray Mims wrote: >** High Priority ** > >This is a project of which we are extremely proud to be a part. We are >in a comment period right now and would like to have additional >architects, builders, engineers, ecologists, horticulturist, landscape >maintenance contractors, soil scientist, architect, green building >consultant and planners to give us feed back. Please take the time to >look at the email and go to our website to view the draft report. > >ALSO PASS ON TO ANYONE YOU KNOW THAT MIGHT HAVE INSIGHT OR COMMENTS. >thank you, >Ray > > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------= ---------------------------------- >The USBG has been involved in this partnership and is very excited >about Sustainable Sites. >The Sustainable Sites Initiative is developing national, voluntary >standards and guidelines for sustainable land development and >management >practices as well as metrics to assess site performance and a rating >system to recognize achievement. It is a partnership of the American >Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower >Center, the United States Botanic Garden and a diverse group of >national >stakeholder organizations. The U.S. Green Building Council, a major >stakeholder > in the initiative, has committed to incorporating these guidelines and >standards into the >future evolution of the LEED=C2=AE (Leadership in Energy and Environmental >Design) Green Building Rating System. These will also be available at >no cost for >those that will not go for certification. > >The initiative is in the process of developing the Standards and >Guidelines for Sustainable Sites - a compilation of current research, >technology, and practices to provide technical guidance and >performance >benchmarks. The Preliminary Report on the Standards and Guidelines ( >www.sustainablesites.org/report.html) is now available for comment. >The >purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of the first findings >of >the initiative with the intention of collecting feedback from >professionals and stakeholders. It is critical to receive knowledge >and >input from other professionals and stakeholders to ensure that the >products of the Sustainable Sites Initiative are relevant to those who >influence land practices. Please share this document with other >colleagues. An on-line feedback form ( >www.sustainablesites.org/questionnaire.html) is available to submit >comments on the preliminary report. The public comment period will be >open until January 11, 2008. > >Many local and regional efforts now provide guidelines for improved >land >development and management practices. Sustainable Sites recognizes the >importance and relevance of these programs and is interested in >information sharing and partnering. > >Please share this freely with all that you think would be interested. >If you have any questions, a system has been set up to field them at >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >I hope you will find this effort as exciting as we do. > >all the best, >Ray > >Ray Mims >Conservation Horticulture >United States Botanic Garden >4700 Shepherd Parkway, SW >Washington, DC 20032 >202.409.1659 cell
