Re: SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE - we need your feedback.
Aw, c'mon Wayne. Can't you see that they're trying. A landscaped plot is still an ecosystem (heck, a crack in a sidewalk is an ecosystem) although very simplified and humanized. But a landscaped plot can also be complex and natural -- check out my yard: no lawn, just native trees, shrubs, groundcover (and weeds). I didn't find any reference to mass-grading. Did you? I did see (page 9) something about the importance of native soil horizons. I didn't find anything about weed-covered wastelands, either. Nor anything about relying on expert opinion nor any seemingly hyperbolic use of the terms ecological sustainable green -- buy maybe you read the publication more thoroughly than I did. I think this is progress -- and I know we're obligated to help them make sure it's effective progress. That's why they sent this out for our look see. Okay, they did send it out late on Friday when we're all cranky after not getting everything done this week that we intended to. But let's take another look at it after we've had a good night's sleep. Warren W. Aney Tigard, Oregon -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Wayne Tyson Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 6:03 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE - we need your feedback. 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
Re: SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE - we need your feedback.
Wayne, What you say applies in highly interrelated fashion to reefs and islands of, for example, Dubai and Maldives where, in order of your presentation but not order of importance: 1. Landscaping is applied to resort islands and government mega-projects, often involving mass transfer of soil and vegetation from other islands. In milder cases coastal vegetation is removed or transformed to make more pleasant beaches or views, and inviting coastal erosion. Increasingly landscaping (in drag as rehabilitation) is being done to prettify resort reefs for the enjoyment of tourists (e.g., seagrass habitats removed - they are unnatural, haven't you heard, corals transplanted - only doomed colonies of course - from reefs to barren reef flats (howcome they are barren anyway?). 2. Mass grading takes the form of dredge and fill (euphemistically: reclamation) to enlarge existing islands or create new islands and peninsulas (e.g. the Palm constructions of Dubai, with smaller scale versions in Maldives - but just wait), often with baroque coastlines (more beachfront) and limited water movement inviting further problems (e.g. cyanobacterial blooms). 3. The filled areas are the reef flats. The reef flats are part of the island's natural sea defense system. The land so created is low and often on the outer side of the outer atoll rim (in Maldives). When disaster strikes (e.g. tsunami, storm surge) natural forces or sea level rise/climate change that are construed as responsible and the aid agencies spring to the rescue to restore with little thought to future prevention. 4. Past sins are hidden behind a facade of flam and cute conservation projects to dazzle naive punters. 5. This is cast as eco-friendly despite all of the above and more. Consider energy, virtually all of which is fossil fuel, and waste, in a location where all of the punters, their food and drink (including water), their A/C comfort, liquid and solid waste, etc are imported. The usual pattern of demographic and temporal distribution of the wealth gained by milking the environmental commons applies, and population size is beyond carrying capacity and growing rapidly. Regards, Bill On Dec 14, 2007 9:02 PM, Wayne Tyson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Uh, oh--I'm headed for trouble again. Nobody (well, with the exception of a distinct minority) likes my ideas; they seem to offend just about everybody. (How can an idea offend? Certainly rudeness, body odor, etc. can be offensive, but why do so many of us consider an idea or statement with which we might disagree offensive? How can any intellectual endeavor proceed under pressure to be politically correct?) Have some fun refuting them. Anyway, here goes (with a sample): 1. End landscaping. Unlike ecosystems, landscaping requires water, fertilizer, maintenance, and all the resource/energy/habitat depletion and outright waste connected with those activities. But this seems to be attacking a multi-billion-dollar complex of businesses; therefore it will be attacked by all those who think their professional ox will be gored in some way. Landscaping is, by definition, unsustainable--a sizeable footprint on the face of the earth, however cosmetic. 2. End mass-grading. So-called structural fills are a profit-extending device that places the equivalent of ancient landslides over lower lands. They will slide in the future, when they load up with water. But that takes enough time for the builders to be long gone. 3. Permit building only on land that diminishes only those habitats that are in the greatest supply. End building in flood plains and other hazardous sites, as well as biologically rare ones. 4. Tolerate no lying about biology and ecology. For example, stop claiming that sites are only weed-covered wastes, and report the site's historic biological character. And require that it be treated in accordance with its biological and ecological potential, based on real, complete scientific assessment, not upon expert opinion. 5. Tolerate no hyperbole via use of the terms 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
Multiple Field Technician positions in restoration ecology/conservation biology (REPOST)
We seek applications to fill multiple temporary field technician positions for a large-scale experiment on restoration of plant communities in fragmented habitats with corridors. Technicians will join a team of several principal investigators (Ellen Damschen at Washington University in St. Louis, Nick Haddad at North Carolina State University, Doug Levey at University of Florida, and Josh Tewksbury at University of Washington), postdoc Lars Brudvig, and several graduate students, and be provided exposure to numerous research questions and approaches. Research will include studies of the effects of corridors on various aspects of plant restoration, including establishment and population growth. Tasks will include growing seedlings, maintaining experimental plots, experimental studies of plants (and animals that interact with them), and working with other project collaborators. Opportunities for independent research projects exist for highly motivated individuals. Positions will begin as soon as possible after 1 April 2007, and will last for a minimum of three months; however, possibilities for extension exist and applicants are encouraged to indicate dates of availability in their application letter. Pay rate will be $8.00-$12/hr, depending on experience. Technicians will live near New Ellenton, SC, where the field site is located. Successful candidates will hold or be working towards a bachelors degree in ecology, biology, or a related discipline and must be able to endure hot and humid conditions and long hours in the field. Previous field research experience is desirable. Because the Savannah River Site is a highly secure area run by the U.S. Department of Energy, non-United States citizens may have difficulty gaining clearance to work there. Additional information about the project is available on the web at: http://www.conservationcorridor.org/Corridor%20Experiment.html http://www4.ncsu.edu/%7Ehaddad/Corridors/Corridors.html Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply, please email a letter describing past experience, why this position is interesting or important to you, dates of availability after 1 April 2007, and contact information with email addresses for two references to Lars Brudvig: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE - we need your feedback.
I have plenty of dandelion greens in my yard. ;) But really, I think that's a great idea. By reducing the grass in yards, it would also decrease the CO2 released into the atmosphere every time someone cuts their lawn! I recently bought a house with a decent sized yard that I am trying to convert from grass to native plants. It is very difficult to find nurseries that 1) have native plants, and 2) have employees who actually know which plants are native. I feel like I need to take my plant books with me every time I go! Carrie DeJaco Stephen Caird wrote: Certainly others have thought of this before, but the mention of landscaping (in Wayne's e-mail) makes me think this: where possible, could landscapers--instead of growing swaths of Kentucky bluegrass--grow edible plants in an aesthetically pleasing manner, that their customers could: Eat organically grown produce (which is already a popular demand); Eat food grown locally, thereby reducing the need for burning fossil fuels/increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere for food transport; Eat vegetables fresh from the garden, thereby reducing the amount of time a farmer would spend harvesting and washing produce. It wouldn't work everywhere, but perhaps it would free up farmland for restoration to 'natural areas.' Could this be one way to alleviate tensions on our shrinking wild places? I thought I would throw these ideas out there for people who have time to critique them. I would really appreciate anyone's feedback on the potential of drawing food production into residential communities, and restoring farmland to natural areas--is that realistic? Steve Caird On Dec 14, 2007 10:09 PM, Warren W. Aney [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Aw, c'mon Wayne. Can't you see that they're trying. A landscaped plot is still an ecosystem (heck, a crack in a sidewalk is an ecosystem) although very simplified and humanized. But a landscaped plot can also be complex and natural -- check out my yard: no lawn, just native trees, shrubs, groundcover (and weeds). I didn't find any reference to mass-grading. Did you? I did see (page 9) something about the importance of native soil horizons. I didn't find anything about weed-covered wastelands, either. Nor anything about relying on expert opinion nor any seemingly hyperbolic use of the terms ecological sustainable green -- buy maybe you read the publication more thoroughly than I did. I think this is progress -- and I know we're obligated to help them make sure it's effective progress. That's why they sent this out for our look see. Okay, they did send it out late on Friday when we're all cranky after not getting everything done this week that we intended to. But let's take another look at it after we've had a good night's sleep. Warren W. Aney Tigard, Oregon -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Wayne Tyson Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 6:03 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: SUSTAINABLE SITES INITIATIVE - we need your feedback. 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
