Pepperdine University's hilly seaside
campus, and Caltrans' statewide construction projects are both examples of Californians' changing approach to the local
landscape.
Pepperdine, reports that the local, native plantings are part of a 10-year project to get good native plant and soil cover on all the slopes. A real paradigm shift!
Read more about local native planting methods used on these large scale landscaping projects.
Pepperdine, reports that the local, native plantings are part of a 10-year project to get good native plant and soil cover on all the slopes. A real paradigm shift!
"...the local native planting method replants the slopes with seeds and soil collected by hand from the site seven years ago, before grading began. The hand selection also allowed landscapers to eliminate any nonnative plant species that had invaded the site," says Rick Leach, director of facilities management and planning for PepperdineThis local native habitat method is endorsed by Douglas Failing, Los Angeles director for the California Department of Transportation, which for more than two decades has used it to re-vegetate hillsides affected by massive highway construction projects.
Read more about local native planting methods used on these large scale landscaping projects.
BENEFITS of LOCAL NATIVE PLANTINGS
- Drought-resistant native flora saves water and maintenance in commercial and residential landscaping.
- Native plants on native soil requires less fertilizer and chemical pesticides, etc. -- thus protecting our groundwater supply
- Native flora supports native wildlife and the natural soil systems that make up the local biodiversity system.
- Native flora thrives in microclimates that vary widely.
- Appreciation of California's unique environment and natural ecosystems.
- Native plants have deep roots that protect soils from erosion and the plants during dry seasons and droughts
- Native plants will be the hardiest survivors of climate change and record drought events.
- Native landscapes are virtually self-sustaining!
