Ecological Landscaping: for Communities, Small to Large - Ontario, Canada

1. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING
CITY OF WOODSTOCK PUBLIC WORKS
For Communities
XERISCAPE GARDEN
small to LARGE
Mathis Natvik H.B.Sc., LEED AP

2. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Principles of Ecological Landscaping
• Solves or mitigates current
environmental problems.
• Does not require excessive
resources for long term
maintenance.
• Helps maintain or create a
healthy ecosystem
(i.e. contributes to biological
diversity)
• Respects local conditions such
as topography, hydrology and
soil conditions.
• Accomplishes all of the above,
while also adding beauty and
functional space for humans.

3. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Principles of Sustainability
• Development which meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs (Brundtland 1987)
• Near constancy of natural resources
• Equilibrium relationship between human activities and
the physical environment
• Intergenerational fairness

4. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Applications of Ecological Landscaping
• Green Roofs, Meadows, Xeriscapes, Urban Forests, Rain Gardens

5. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
GREEN ROOFS Quick Facts
• Modern building materials allow greening of almost all
roofs.
• They are not “new.” Green roofs are common practice
in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland and have
been for decades.
• Habitat for pollinators, songbirds, plant biodiversity.
• Reduced lifecycle costs for buildings.
• Valuable source of green space in dense urban or
agricultural settings.
• TIP: Don’t think of them as “green roofs.” Consider
them yet another place to design for gardens and spaces
for humans.
AUGUSTENBORG’S BOTANICAL ROOF GARDEN, Sweden

6. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
GREEN ROOFS North American Examples
www.greenroofs.com
www.greenroofs.com
Life Expression Chiropractic Centre Mountain Equipment Co‐op, Toronto
Sugar Loaf, PA
www.greenroofs.com
www.asla.org
The American Society of City Hall, Chicago
Landscape Architects, Washington

7. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
GREEN ROOFS Examples from Natvik Design Inc.
METRO‐CENTRAL YMCA, Toronto – September 2009

8. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
GREEN ROOFS Examples from Natvik Design Inc.
ACTIVIA SPORTS COMPLEX, Kitchener – August 2008

9. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
MEADOWS and PERENNIAL GARDENS Quick Facts
• Source of biodiversity and pollinator habitat.
• Higher up front costs but reduced life cycle costs.
• High quality native meadows establishment
distinct from "just stop mowing“ commonly seen in
naturalization areas.
• True naturalization involves removing exotic sod,
and actively planting wildflowers and native grasses.
• Meadows in dense urban areas require more
planting design to remain publicly acceptable.

10. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
MEADOW GARDEN European Examples
PIET OUDOLF
www.oudolf.com

11. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
MEADOW GARDEN North American Examples: Lurie Park, Chicago
PIET OUDOLF
www.oudolf.com

12. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
MEADOWS Natvik Design Inc. Examples
ETYMONICS OAK SAVANNA
FAIRFIELD ROADSIDE PRAIRIE

13. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
XERISCAPES Quick Facts
• Uses engineered growing medium designed for low weed pressure
and excellent drainage.
• Allows for demonstration of responsible water use of
municipalities.
• Establishment requires care and attention to preparation of site,
but is as lowest in annual input there after.
• Designed for zero irrigation with long‐lived plants.

14. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
XERISCAPES European Examples
BETH CHATTO, Essex, England
MAINTENANCE FREE CURB
Malmo, Sweden
www.ferncreekdesign.org

15. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
XERISCAPES Natvik Design Inc. Examples

16. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
URBAN FORESTRY Quick Facts
• Associated with increased property values and greater community
care.
• Engineered soil is absolutely necessary in dense hard‐scapes. Trees
live short lives in downtown cores.
• Tree selection of paramount importance
• Long term human care and use should be integrated. .
Cornell University Homewood Forest, Guelph

17. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
URBAN FORESTRY Natvik Design Inc. Examples
PHOTO: BCCA
PHOTO: Cornell University

18. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
RAIN GARDENS Quick Facts
• Aesthetic approach to storm water management.
• Can mitigate some of the challenge associated
with parking lots, abundant hard surfaces.
• Thereby can contribute to water quality.
PHOTO: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City of Portland City of Detroit

19. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
RAIN GARDENS Natvik Design Inc. Examples
CITY OF WOODSTOCK, Woodstock – September 2009

20. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
RAIN GARDENS Natvik Design Inc. Examples
241 METCALFE STREET, Guelph

21. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Challenges of Ecological Landscaping
• Misperceptions that
naturalization is simply not
mowing the grass.
• Up front costs.
• Different from traditional
aesthetic, although these can
be mostly mitigated.
• Lack of standards, knowledge
of practices within landscape
industries.
• Shortage of products needed
for these projects in Canada.

22. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
How to Mitigate Challenges
• Demonstration projects in city
parks and streetscapes.
• Corporate sponsors willing to
pioneer techniques or fund
municipal projects; education
regarding lifecycle costs.
• Education regarding lifecycle
costs, water use for traditional
gardens.
• Research standards and
practices from other countries.

23. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Small Communities
William Aberhart High School Calgary, Alberta
Viscount Alexander Public School Ottawa, Ontario

24. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Mid-sized Communities
McMaster Children’s Hospital Hamilton, Ontario

25. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Mid-sized Communities
Bellevue Manor Vaughan, Ontario

26. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Large Communities
GO TRANSIT, Toronto

27. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Ecological Landscaping Opportunities for Large Communities
DUNDAS SQUARE, Toronto
Dundas Square image

28. ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING For Communities small to LARGE
Integrated Ecological Design – truly sustainable!
….but what does it look like?
PHOTO: City of Anderson, Indiana

29. THANK YOU
201-143 Wyndam St. N
Guelph, Ontario
N1H 4E9
Tel 519.822.5263
Fax 519.822.5266
www.roofgarden.ca
mathis@roofgarden.ca

30. This document is complimentary and is provided from the Appropriate Use
National Recreation Database by the
Lifestyle Information Network (LIN) www.lin.ca