ALCC Basic Principles for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability

• ALCC's members represent the "green" industry. Our more than 700 members strive to design, install and maintain landscapes that are sustainable or provide lasting, long-term environmental and aesthetic value for our customers and Colorado. Long-term value has evolved into a broad set of concepts that are commonly referred to as sustainability.
• ALCC recognizes that our industry has a responsibility to be good stewards of the environment. We are working with our members to provide standards and guidance on environmentally responsible landscape practices. Our Sustainability Task Force is examining and developing sustainable landscape design, construction and maintenance recommendations for our members.
• Our 700 plus members assist a wide range of clients from very large commercial developments, parks and government entities to private residences. Professionals in the green industry work with their customers to develop and execute the most responsible landscape strategy for each specific site. Our members help customers achieve their goals while using resources wisely.
• ALCC supports research at Colorado State University and other regional educational institutions that will further our understanding of responsible landscaping. ALCC also recognizes the important role industry-generated technology can play creating green landscapes for generations to come.

Where does the Green Industry fit?

• As an industry, we are already providing/leading environmental stewardship in design, plant and materials production, installation, construction, and maintenance in the following areas:
• Landscape development of most urban improvements;
• Trees & other plants that help cleanse the air and mitigate climate extremes;
• Wetlands mitigation;
• Revegetation projects (road cuts, mining, fire reclamation);
• Green-space development in urban environments (parks, playground, athletic fields);
• Restoration and rehabilitation of waterways into usable trails;
• Preservation of topsoil during construction;
• Use of organic material as soil amendments during construction;
• Implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in maintenance practices;
• Research areas (facilities) & demonstration gardens devoted to research and public education for water wise gardening, plant selection & hardiness, soil prep, and many other green industry topics;
• Developing arboretums and botanical gardens;
• Collaborating and funding state universities that provide research and education on urban horticulture;
• Use of recycled building products (decks, patio stones, etc.);
• Mulching (tree chipping, rubber, lumber by-products, mining by-products);
• Use of effluent or 'gray water' water for irrigation;
• Using cellulose for hydroseeding, erosion control, and nursery containers; and,
• Composting of green waste, developed by many municipalities, supported by many green industry businesses

Landscaping Protects and Improves the Environment

• Landscaped spaces improve our air and water quality. Areas landscaped with trees, plants, and groundcovers convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and filter urban run-off, reducing pollution. For example, one tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions. Landscaped properties also reduced erosion and storm water run-off that can affect surface water and add volume to waste water treatment plants. A 50 x 50 foot lawn releases enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe.

Energy Savings

• Lawns reduce carbon dioxide emissions, mitigate the "heat island effect," and reduce energy consumption and contributes to reducing global warming.
• Landscaping reduces air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent by shading the windows and walls of a home.
• A single urban tree can provide up to $273 a year in air conditioning, pollution fighting, erosion and storm water control, as well as wildlife shelter benefits.
• Healthy front lawns of eight houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning - enough to cool 16 average-size homes.

Water Conservation

• During Colorado's drought from the late 90s to early 2000, ALCC spearheaded an effort to develop best management practices (BMPs) to help our members and consumers manage water more efficiently. We worked with water utilities to educate the public on wise water use in landscaping. Since then, a number of Colorado municipalities have adopted the BMPs as part of their landscaping requirements. ALCC plans to serve in a similar leadership capacity in understanding and promoting environmentally responsible landscapes in Colorado.
• The term Xeriscape was pioneered in Colorado and is now widely embraced as an environmentally responsible approach to landscaping that uses xeric or water saving plants to conserves water. Xeriscape is built upon seven primary principles that ALCC has incorporated into its Best Management Practices. These include:
• Planning and design
• Creating practical turf areas
• Selecting low water plants
• Using soil amendments
• Using mulches
• Irrigating efficiently
• Maintaining properly

Pest and Weed Management

• ALCC's members who are hired for their expertise and experience in landscape maintenance use a variety of techniques to control weeds and pests. Chemical application in the state of Colorado is regulated by a strict set of laws to ensure proper and safe application. Applicators must be licensed to apply pesticides. Additionally, many companies are moving to an approach known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment. Simply put, IPM is using the best mix of cultural techniques and discreet use of chemical products.