Sustainable Practices

NCSP 5135 Creating Conservation Landscapes

This course counts as 8 hours towards the Sustainable Practices Certificate Program or .8 continuing education credits.

Course Format

1-day Classroom Lecture

Course Description

Sustainable Sites is the initiative designed to complement the LEED green-building system.  It takes a more in-depth look at the elements necessary to create a fully sustainable environment, to develop the environmental functions of green infrastructure into urban sites.

This course builds on the Watershed to Water Tap course and will introduce the techniques and tools necessary for creating sustainable site including site analysis, microclimates, site hydrology, landforms, plant selections, drip irrigation, site structures and sustainable landscape materials.
At the end of the day, the student will be able to:

• Understand basic site analysis, including microclimates and landforms
• Understand how to choose climate-appropriate plants, including edible landscapes
• Understand the basics of water on-site; rainwater-harvesting; drip irrigation systems, including hands-on demonstrations
• Understand how to evaluate the sustainability of materials used in the landscape
• Understand how to optimize site conditions for energy and water conservation, reduced inputs, and habitat enhancement

Instructor Bio

This course will be taught by Paul Lander, a 28-year veteran of water, energy, and land conservation work. Dr. Lander is an instructor at the University of Colorado and for the American Water Works Association, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.