Much of the focus on sustainability in institutional and commercial facilities focuses on building components and systems and their energy-efficient operations. The focus is understandable, given their high levels of energy use and the resulting impact on the environment.
But often overlooked in such discussions are the landscapes surrounding facilities, which also can have a tremendous impact on the environment.
An article in the July issue of Maintenance Solutions examines the activities grounds managers need to consider — from irrigation and mulching, to plant selection and maintenance — in their efforts to make landscapes more environmentally friendly.