Working with Nature Constructing around nature is better in the long run. Sep 1, 2006 By: Jamie J. Gooch

Not too long ago, in a suburban Milwaukee neighborhood, a prairie landscape grew to surround a typical home that sat in a sea of well-manicured grass lawns. Wildflowers and indigenous plants grew shoulder high, obscuring much of the home. Though unconventional for the area, the homeowners were not brought before city council by their neighbors' complaints. Instead, they became the neighborhood's plant experts, helping many of their neighbors install and maintain natural landscapes.

Water conservation is important to government agencies and homeowners alike. Drip irrigation systems can help reduce the amount of water applied. In addition, runoff and evaporation is reduced because the water is applied slowly, allowing it to percolate through the soil.

The latest iteration of the Sustainable Sites Initiative Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks is now available for public comment. Comments must be received by Jan. 20, 2009.

When encountering difficult soils, the first question we have to ask ourselves is whether we want to work with the soil as it is, or try to improve it with amendments.

The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a tool to help landscape designers, builders and irrigation professionals develop a water budget outlined in the draft specification for water-efficient single family new homes and to make a complex calculation more straightforward.

From the ground up to the roof, the Smart Home landscape design demonstrates an eco-friendly aesthetic with systems that sustain and replenish the environment.

John Deere Construction & Forestry has launched www.skidsteersmackdown.com, the first part of an integrated campaign for skid steer users that involves head-to-head contests between Deere and competitor machines.

Do your part by helping clients conserve water.

Design and Planning awards program to honor post-Katrina rebuilding efforts.