Sustainable Sites Initiative
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sustainable Sites Initiative?
The Sustainable Sites Initiative is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden in conjunction with a diverse group of stakeholder organizations to transform land development and management practices with the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes. These guidelines apply to any type of designed landscape, with or without buildings, ranging from shopping malls, streetscapes, subdivisions, corporate and academic campuses, transportation corridors, parks and recreation areas, all the way to single family homes.
What is a sustainable site?
A “site” is a built landscape that encompasses all land in a designated space. Like green buildings, sustainable sites use less energy, water and natural resources; generate less waste; and minimize the impact on the land compared to traditional design, construction and maintenance techniques. Unlike buildings, sustainable sites can even give back by cleaning the air and water, reversing climate change, restoring habitat and biodiversity – all while providing significant social and economic benefits as well to the immediate site and surrounding region.
Why do we need a site-specific rating system?
Green building rating systems developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and other organizations offer excellent tools for new and existing buildings but relatively little beyond a building’s skin. Correctly built landscapes that mimic the natural world will help fillthis critical gap.
What is the USGBC's position on the Sustainable Sites Initiative?
USGBC recognizes that there is a need within LEED® to improve the site components and supports the Sustainable Sites Initiative. The USGBC is participating in the Initiative and anticipates incorporating the Sustainable Sites Initiative Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks into future iterations of LEED®.
What types of projects does the Sustainable Sites Initiative address?
The Initiative seeks to apply sustainability principles to any site, with
or without buildings, which will be protected, developed or redeveloped for
public or private purposes. The Sustainable Sites Initiative Guidelines
and Performance Benchmarks
can apply to all landscapes including commercial and public sites, parks,
campuses, roadsides, residential landscapes, recreation centers and utility
corridors.
What are the Sustainable Sites products designed to achieve?
- Elevate the value of landscapes by outlining the economic, environmental and
human well-being benefits of sustainable sites - Connect buildings and landscapes to contribute to environmental and community health
- Provide performance benchmarks for site sustainability
- Link research and practice associated with the most sustainable materials
and techniques
for site development construction and maintenance - Provide recognition for high performance in sustainable site design, development and maintenance
- Encourage innovation
How was the Rating System created?
The Sustainable Sites Initiative Rating System encompasses four years of work from dozens of the country’s leading sustainability experts, design professionals and scientists, as well public input from hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations during two open-comment periods. Download the latest reports released in November 2009: The Case for Sustainable Landscapes and Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009.
Who can use the Rating System?
The Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009, which includes the Rating System, can be used anyone in the design, construction and maintenance fields, as well as homeowners, governments and those who maintain existing green building standards.
Will compliance with this Rating System be mandatory?
The Sustainable Sites Initiative products are designed to be voluntary.
Will there be certification for Sustainable Sites Initiative projects?
Currently, certification is available only through the pilot project process, though the Initiative is exploring options for establishing an ongoing certification program once the pilot projects are completed. Learn more about the pilot program here.
What organizations are involved in Sustainable Sites?
The American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the United States Botanic Garden are partnering in this effort in conjunction with a diverse group of stakeholder organizations that include the U.S. Green Building Council, the Environmental Protection Agency's GreenScapes Program, the National Recreation and Park Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers' Environment and Water Resources Institute, the National Association of County and City Health Officials and The Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Texas at Austin among others.
What are the similarities/differences between LEED® for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) and the Sustainable Sites Initiative?
The LEED-ND Rating System and the Sustainable Sites Initiative Rating System are similar in that they both significantly extend the focus of green building beyond the single-building envelope. A distinguishing characteristic of LEED® ND is its focus on location and community pattern – where people live and work and how they move around. The Sustainable Sites Initiative focuses on the site scale. Although the two systems are quite different, they are intended to be complementary to one another.
Who is funding the Sustainable Sites Initiative?
In addition to the three partners, funding is provided by The Meadows Foundation and Landscape Structures Inc, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Horticultural Research Institute, the USDA Forest Service and the U.S. General Services Administration.
How can I stay up to date or get involved with the Sustainable Sites Initiative?
Feel free to contact the Initiative at info@sustainablesites.org to learn more about getting involved or to ask questions. You can also sign up for email updates with news and other timely information at www.sustainablesites.org/email.
What are pilot projects?
Pilot projects will test various aspects of the Sustainable Sites Initiative rating system using a cross-section of project types, sizes and geographic locations throughout the design, construction and maintenance stages. The Pilot Program will start in June 2010 and continue for two years. Feedback from the pilot projects will be used to revise the final rating system and inform the technical reference manual. Note, the Call for Pilot Projects is now closed. Click here to learn more about the Pilot Program.
Where can I find the rating system that the pilot projects are testing?
The Sustainable Sites Initiative: Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009 can be downloaded here.