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Converting Turf to Created Native Areas Bill Bedrossian, RLA Why - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Converting Turf to Created Native Areas Bill Bedrossian, RLA Why - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Converting Turf to Created Native Areas Bill Bedrossian, RLA Why Convert Turf to Natives? Benefits of Native Plant BMPs Runoff reduction and enhanced infiltration Water quality enhancement Air quality enhancement Eliminate need
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Benefits of Native Plant BMPs
- Runoff reduction and enhanced infiltration
- Water quality enhancement
- Air quality enhancement
- Eliminate need for irrigation and chemicals
- Promote groundwater recharge
- Reduction of conventional stormwater infrastructure
- Enhance bio-diversity and habitat quality
- Pleasing aesthetic throughout the year
- Opportunities to promote education and awareness
- Long Term Maintenance Cost
Reduction (Up to 80% Annual Maintenance savings after establishment !!!)
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Historical Patterns of Hydrology
Recharge Zone: Uplands Discharge Zones: Lowlands- rivers, streams, ponds, wetlands Constant, clean discharge flows, year round to sustain stable surface water hydrology with constant water temperature and chemistry
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Contemporary Hydrology
Upland becomes discharge zone Natural wetlands are expected to function as recharge zones
Reversed hydrological pattern results in runoff containing sediments, oils, greases, salts, fertilizers, pesticides, and higher water temperatures that inundate historical systems adapted to completely different hydrological and water quality conditions
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Integrated Water Treatment Train
- Porous pavement systems
- Rainwater harvesting and re-use
- Green roof systems
- Bio-retention systems
- Native landscape systems
- Other site elements- energy,
wastewater, etc.
Turf to natives is one part of a larger picture
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Key concepts to keep in mind: Plants will only grow in habitats to which they are adapted. We are re-creating native plantings in the built environment and in disturbed areas.
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Low profile mixed native plantings
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Native forb (flowers) dominated plantings
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Native grass dominated native plantings
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Turf to Native Plantings
- Where is it done?
- Why? Enriching life through improving our
environment.
- How? A few examples of voluntary (not
required) turf to native conversions
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Naperville Park District
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Naperville Park District
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Chestnut Park, Darien Park District
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Chestnut Park, Darien Park District
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Chestnut Park, Darien Park District
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Chestnut Park, Darien Park District
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Cover Crop
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Cover Crop
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Munson Basin, Carol Stream
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Munson Basin, Carol Stream
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Munson Basin, Carol Stream
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Munson Basin, Carol Stream
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Munson Basin, Carol Stream
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Roosevelt University
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Roosevelt University
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Roosevelt University
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High Grove Naperville
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High Grove Naperville
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High Grove Naperville
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Pheasant Hollow HOA
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Hawthorne Elementary School
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Some Native Plant Field Notes
- These are not “natural” areas. They are created
native plantings. Modify the seed/plant mix to the location.
- Plants will only grow in habitats to which they
are adapted.
- 3-5 years for establishment. Consider use of a
showy cover crop.
- Think about native plant
structure in the built environment.
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A few last thoughts
- Native plantings need to be an important part
- f our water treatment train.
- Rain water and organic matter are not “waste”
products.
- “Green infrastructure” systems DO
require maintenance to perform to their design specifications.
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The future: More Natives, Less Turf
Native plants are not as widely used as they should be!
Thank you for helping to change that!
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Enriching life through improving our environment
- Native Areas maintenance and restoration
- Native Plantings for resource and cost reduction
- Over 47 years of Landscape Management experience