DIVE
This DIVE section takes a look at the methods for achieving or earning points for SITES prerequisites and credits at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes project site.
Click the links below to learn more information about each category of this section.
Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Section 5 | Section 6 | Section 7 | Section 8 | Section 9 | Section 10 | Take Away
Section 1: Site Context
Particular attention is placed on understanding the context of where a project is located and developed. SITES requires careful planning and the protection of existing, functioning natural features that are unique, critical, sensitive, or threatened, such as farmlands, floodplains, wetlands, and wildlife habitats. These features provide essential ecosystem functions for wildlife, site users, and the surrounding community.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisite 1.1: Limit development on farmland
Method: Ensured that there were no prime farmland or any farmland soils on the Center for Sustainable Landscapes site, nor were any farmland or prime farmland soils mined for use.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 1.2: Protect floodplain functions.
Method: Located the project on a site that does not contain any land within a 100-year floodplain as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The map placed the project site in Zone X which is outside the boundary of the one hundred year and 500 year floodplains.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 1.3: Conserve aquatic ecosystems.
Method: Ensured that the project site contained no aquatic ecosystems (such as wetlands, deepwater habitats, etc.) as classified in accordance with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map. Complied with Case 1: Sites without aquatic ecosystems. In SITES, cases indicate how projects with particular pre-existing conditions should document compliance. Case 1 suggests that the project be located on a site that does not contain any aquatic ecosystems, including isolated wetlands.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 1.4: Conserve habitats for threatened and endangered species.
Method: Complied with Case 1: Brownfields and previously developed sites. In SITES, cases indicate how projects with particular pre-existing conditions should document compliance. Case 1 suggests that as part of the pre-design site assessment, potential habitats for any plant or animal species on U.S. federal or state threatened or endangered lists is identified. A Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) assessment was conducted indicating there are no threatened or endangered species on the site.
Status: Achieved
Credits
- Credit 1.5: Redevelop degraded sites
Method: Complied with Case 1: Previously developed sites. In SITES, cases indicate how projects with particular pre-existing conditions should document compliance. Case 1 suggests that the project be built on a previously developed site. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) site was built over a previously developed brownfield site where site contamination has been remediated in accordance with local and state requirements. An aerial photo was provided showing condition of site prior to developing the CSL project.
Status: 6 points earned (out of 3 – 6 available points) - Credit 1.6: Locate projects within existing developed areas
Method: Confirmed the project site as an infill site within 500 feet of existing publicly provided water and wastewater infrastructure. In addition, at least one site entrance is in proximity to at least seven publicly available basic services.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 4 available points) - Credit 1.7: Connect to multi-modal transit networks
Method: Complied with the requirements of Option 1: Pedestrian and bicycle network. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 1 suggests that the project be located in an area connected to pedestrian and bicycle networks.
Status: 2 points earned (out of 2 – 3 available points)
Section 2: Pre-design Assessment and Planning
Before design begins, an integrated design team must conduct a comprehensive site assessment of existing physical, biological, and cultural conditions that will inform planning and design. This team must include experts in natural systems, design, construction, and maintenance, in addition to representatives of the community, the owners, and the intended site users.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisite 2.1: Use an integrative design process
Method: Followed the following requirements: formed an integrated design team consisting of the owner, design and construction professionals, professionals with expertise in soils, vegetation and hydrology, developed a collaborative communication process, identified project sustainability principles and performance goals, incorporated the sustainability principles and performance goals into a program plan, identified stakeholders and site user groups, planned for construction oversight and developed a strategy for preparing a site maintenance plan.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 2.2: Conduct a pre-design site assessment
Method: Provided narration, mapping and assessment of existing and referenced site conditions relative to various natural systems, water, soils, vegetation, energy, materials and human use of the site. Used information to make an analysis of the site to determine opportunities and constraints for developing a program plan used to plan and design the site.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 2.3: Designate and communicate Vegetation and Soil Protection Zones
Method: Based on the pre-design site assessment that was developed in Prerequisite 2.2, identified no Vegetation and Soil Protection Zones within the Center for Sustainable Landscapes project boundary.
Status: Achieved
Credits
- Credit 2.4: Engage users and stakeholders
Method: Welcomed community and project partners, including Phipps staff members early in the design process. Community partners, government officials, university faculty members and students also participated. A variety of forums were set up to gather user and stakeholder goals, concerns and feedback. These forums produced valuable information that was used to develop valuable design programming information. The final design was communicated to stakeholders and users as well as the greater community though a variety of on-site displays, online information, videos and blogs and through speaking engagements and presentations.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 3 available points)
Section 3: Site Design: Water
Natural systems are of critical value for their ability to store, clean, and distribute available water. This section encourages projects that are designed to conserve water, maximize the use of precipitation, and protect water quality. For example, a sustainable project may harvest rainwater on site and use it, rather than potable water, for irrigation and water features. The goal is to incorporate strategies and technologies that restore or mimic natural systems.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisite 3.1: Manage precipitation on site
Method: Retain the precipitation volume for the sixtieth percentile precipitation event (as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act) through onsite infiltration, evapotranspiration and reuse.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 3.2: Reduce water for landscape irrigation
Method: Reduced the use of potable water by 155% from the baseline for landscape irrigation. There is not a permanent landscape irrigation system for the care and long term maintenance of landscape plantings at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL), thus confirming the site reduces water usage for landscape irrigation by 50% and the CSL landscape does not require a permanent irrigation system.
Status: Achieved
Credits
- Credit 3.3: Manage precipitation beyond baseline
Method: As referenced in Prerequisite 3.1, use onsite infiltration, evapotranspiration and harvest use, retain or treat the maximum precipitation volume possible beyond the required baseline precipitation volume of the sixtieth percentile event. Retained and managed precipitation volume for the ninety-fifth percentile precipitation event (as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act).
Status: 6 points earned (out of 4 – 6 available points) - Credit 3.4: Reduce outdoor water use
Method: Complied with Option 3: Reduce outdoor water use. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 3 suggests eliminating outdoor water use for long-term landscape irrigation. Phipps chose to use captured rainwater for temporary irrigation during the establishment period to ensure that 100% of the annual makeup water for the lagoon water feature comes from rainwater (a non-potable water source). Maintenance requirements for the lagoon are listed in the maintenance plan. The required metering for potable and non-potable water are provided enabling the tracking of water usage. Monitoring software on the non-potable water system provides real-time evaluation of water levels in each of the non-potable water storage tanks.
Status: 6 points earned (out of 4 – 6 available points) - Credit 3.5: Design functional rainwater features as amenities
Method: Ensured site precipitation is treated as an amenity in the way it is received, conveyed and managed on site for 100% of rainwater features. Rainwater features are defined as using precipitation for their sole source of water and function as rainwater management elements (e.g., bioswales, raingardens or vegetated roofs). The features were designed to be visually and physically accessible to site users from proposed high-use areas of the site. These features include: the rainwater lagoon, the terraced waterfall, the reflecting pool, porous asphalt, vegetated roof and rain gardens. Rainwater is collected for reuse in underground cisterns and conveyed or recirculated directly in the surface flow through the terraced waterfall (which aerates the water) to the rainwater lagoon and reflecting pool. The lagoon and rain gardens are living ecosystems, alive with fish, birds, pollinating insects and native plants. The vegetated roof is planted with native and edible plants and the porous asphalt is an accepted best management practice (BMP) and offers a pleasing textural and visual contrast to the adjacent pavements. All of the rainwater features are prominently located to be visually and physically accessible to the main building entrances and the main pedestrian circulation system linking the surrounding buildings.
Status: 5 points earned (out of 4 – 5 available points) - Credit 3.6: Restore aquatic ecosystems
Method: The Center for Sustainable Landscapes project does not contain any aquatic ecosystems, riparian buffers, wetlands or shoreline buffers for protection or restoration.
Status: Credit was not pursued.
Section 4: Site Design: Soil and Vegetation
This section requires proper soil management as a design element and construction priority. In addition to serving as the foundation for robust vegetation, healthy soils filter pollutants and help prevent excess runoff, erosion, sedimentation, and flooding. Using appropriate vegetation, managing invasive plants, and restoring biodiversity (emphasizing native species) are some key strategies that have multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits. They can reduce or eliminate landscape irrigation, increase the quality of wildlife habitat, promote regional identity, and reduce maintenance needs.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisite 4.1: Create and communicate a soil management plan
Method: Created a soil management plan and accompanying soil management plan worksheet prior to construction. Indicated locations of existing healthy soils onsite and any Vegetation and Soil Protection Zones (there were none). Specified how construction activities were designed to minimize soil disturbance. Identified disturbed soils that were re-vegetated. Described the project as a brownfield consisting of severely disturbed soils devoid of vegetation. Restored soil profiles for the various planting zones were imported and placed at specific depths to support various native plant communities throughout the site as shown on construction drawings. The soil management plan was communicated to contractors in the project construction drawings and specifications. Imported or manufactured soils used on the project were not mined from greenfield sites, prime farmland, unique farmland or farmland of statewide or local importance.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 4.2: Control and manage invasive plants
Method: Ensured only plant species that were not currently listed as invasive on federal or qualifying regional lists were used. Removed complete invasive plant and root systems during site preparation phase of construction. Separated invasive plants removed from construction soils and sent them to a vegetative waste dumpster that was transported off-site for composting. Described all site conditions and all plants brought to the site on the vegetation worksheet to ensure no invasive plants were introduced.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 4.3: Use appropriate plants
Method: Ensured species for use in planting design were deemed to be suitable for site conditions, climate and design intent based on planting design documents and completed vegetation worksheet.
Status: Achieved
Credits
- Credit 4.4: Conserve healthy soils and appropriate vegetation
Method: There were no healthy soils or appropriate vegetation at the project site.
Status: Credit not pursued - Credit 4.5: Conserve special status vegetation
Method: There were no special status vegetation on the Center for Sustainable Landscapes site.
Status: 1 point earned (out of 4 available points) - Credit 4.6: Conserve and use native plants
Method: Conserved existing appropriate native plants and installed new native plants using the SITES Native Plants Calculator to yield a 50% total native plant score.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 3 – 6 available points) - Credit 4.7: Conserve and restore native plant communities
Method: Conserved existing native plant communities and installed new native plants using the SITES Native Plants Community Calculator, to yield a 40% total native plant community.
Status: 5 points earned (out of 4 – 6 available points) - Credit 4.8: Optimize biomass
Method: Determined the existing site biomass density index (BDI) and planned site BDI using the SITES v2 Reference Guide. Existing and proposed BDI equaled 2.02 using the category of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests.
Status: 5 points earned (out of 1 – 6 available points) - Credit 4.9: Reduce urban heat island effects
Method: Used the following formula to reduce urban heat island effects for site paving and structures: (area of non-roof measures divided by 0.5) + (area of high reflectance roof divided by 0.75) + (area of vegetated roof divided by 0.5). The result must be greater than or equal to the total site paving area and total roof area. At the Center for Sustainable Landscapes site, this equated to (28,596 sf/0.5 + 2,453 sf/0.75 + 3,791 sf/0.5). The equation then became the following: (57,192 sf (non-roof) + 3,270 sf (high reflective roof) + 7,852 sf (veg roof) = 68,044 SF (total). 50,714 sf (total site paving) + 10,413 sf (total roof area) = 61,127 sf. 68,044 sf is greater than or equal to 61,127 sf meaning it fits the requirement that the result of the formula is greater than or equal to the total site paving area and total roof area.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 4 available points) - Credit 4.10: Use vegetation to minimize building energy use
Method: Complied with Option 1: Reduce energy use. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 1 suggests using vegetation or vegetated structures to reduce total annual building energy use for heating and cooling. The project site followed this method. The combined cooling effect of vine covered concrete walls, shade trees planted adjacent to the south and western sides, and eight-inch soil depth vegetative roof resulted in a reduction of 15% building energy use for cooling. The vegetative roof system on the Center for Sustainable Landscapes consists of 3,800 sf of herbaceous perennials, grasses and shrubs growing in eight inches of lightweight soil material. The green roof soil mix has an R value of 0.8 per inch which equals 6.4 in total. The addition of the soil and plants resulted in a 7.5% increase in R value, which correspondingly equals a 7.5% reduction in building energy use for heating.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 1 – 4 available points) - Credit 4.11: Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire
Method: The project site is not in a fire-prone zone.
Status: Credit not pursued
Section 5: Site Design: Materials Selection
Appropriate selection and use of materials can contribute to a project’s ability to support and enhance ecosystem services on the site and wherever the material exists throughout its life-cycle. The demolition, selection, procurement, and use of materials in site design and construction present considerable opportunities to decrease the amount of materials sent to landfills, to preserve natural resources, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to support the use of sustainable building products.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisite 5.1: Eliminate the use of wood from threatened tree species
Method: There were no wood species used on the project that are listed by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as threatened with extinction nor listed by CITES as requiring trade controls in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. The wood species are also not on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “Red List of Threatened Species.”
Status: Achieved
Credits
- Credit 5.2: Maintain on-site structures and paving
Method: The site made use of sufficient existing pavement to achieve a 20% or greater increase in total existing built surface area.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 2 – 4 available points) - Credit 5.3: Design for adaptability and disassembly
Method: The percent of reusable components shown on the materials worksheet (determined by dividing the total reusable material cost by the total material cost) equals 65.42%. All of the eligible materials demonstrate that 100% of the material weight is reusable. Some of these materials include: natural wood benches with bolt and screw assembly reused as benches, natural wood boardwalk decking and framing using bolt and screw assembly, dry-laid flagstone pavers, concrete pavers, Belgium block, dry-laid sandstone steps and walls, stainless steel railings and bicycle racks, rain tank storm water storage system and steel light poles.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 3 – 4 available points) - Credit 5.4: Reuse salvaged materials and plants
Method: The materials worksheet lists numerous types of salvaged materials used on the project. For example, there are: existing fuel oil tanks, Belgium block pavers, granite curbing, and reclaimed concrete pavers, salvaged concrete and steel mill slag, crushed and repurposed for fill and landscape aggregate. The two existing fuel tanks have been repurposed to store reclaimed sewage effluent from the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) building. The Belgium blocks and granite curbing were salvaged from a portion of a cobblestone drive that extended into the project site and they were reused in a portion of the driveway surface at the entrance to the CSL. The concrete pavers were cut from an existing floor slab taken from the razed storage building on site. The repurposed pavers were used to pave compact car spaces near the entrance to the CSL. The salvaged materials made up 10% of the total materials cost, excluding soils.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 3 – 4 available points) - Credit 5.5: Use recycled content materials
Method: Qualifying site materials with the associated percentage of recycled content are listed in the materials worksheet. The percent of recycled materials costs equaled 34% (determined by taking the total recycled materials cost (excluding plants and soil) divided by the total material cost less ineligible product and salvaged materials cost).
Status: 3 points earned (out of available 3 – 4) - Credit 5.6: Use regional materials
Method: Based on the calculations built into the materials worksheet, regional materials represented 48.39% of the total materials cost (determined by dividing the total regional materials cost by the total materials cost).
Status: 3 points earned (out of 3 – 5 available points) - Credit 5.7: Support responsible extraction of raw materials
Method: Complied with Option 1: Advocate for sustainable extraction of raw materials. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit materials. Option 1 suggests that a letter be submitted to all raw materials suppliers and manufacturers asking them to keep track and disclose sustainable extraction practices.
Status: 1 point earned (out of 1 – 5 available points) - Credit 5.8: Support transparency and safer chemistry
Method: Complied with Option 1: Advocate for transparency and safer chemistry. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 1 suggests that a letter be submitted to all manufacturers for all materials specified in the product categories asking them to develop and disclose chemical inventories or conduct chemical hazard assessments according to criteria outlined in Options 2 or 3.
Status: 1 point earned (out of 1 – 5 available points) - Credit 5.9: Support sustainability in materials manufacturing
Method: Complied with Option 1: Advocate for sustainable materials manufacturing. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 1 suggests that a letter be submitted to all materials manufacturers asking them to perform, track and disclose sustainable practices.
Status: 1 point earned (out of 1 – 5 available points) - Credit 5.10: Support sustainability in plant production
Method: Complied with Option 3: Support producers that achieve significant improvements in sustainable practices. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 3 suggests that teams obtain 80% of purchased plants, sod and seed from businesses that achieved at least six of the following ten sustainable practices: reduce use of potable water, reduce runoff from irrigation, choose sustainable soil amendments, recycle organic matter, reduce waste, use IPM, prevent use and distribution of invasive species, reduce energy consumption, use renewable energy sources and provide safe and fair working conditions.
Status: 5 points earned (out of 1 – 5 available points)
Section 6: Site Design: Human Health and Well-Being
Any access to nature, whether in a park or natural area, or simply viewing green space during daily life, positively affects mental health and facilitates social connection. These effects are essential to healthy human habitat and extend to include positive physical health outcomes. This section promotes outdoor opportunities for physical activity, restorative and aesthetic experiences, and social interaction. It also encourages projects to address social equity in their design and development choices. The intent is to build stronger communities and create or renew a sense of environmental stewardship.
Credits
- Credit 6.1: Protect and maintain cultural and historic places
Method: Complied with Option 2: Historic or cultural landscapes. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 2 suggests identifying and protecting historically significant cultural landscapes that are included, or are eligible for inclusion in a local historic register, a state historic register or the United States National Register of Historic Places. Phipps has both historic buildings and cultural landscapes. Phipps protects and maintains the historic glasshouse and cultural landscapes ensuring that these buildings and landscapes are listed on local, state and federal historic registers.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 2 – 3 available points) - Credit 6.2: Provide optimum site accessibility, safety and wayfinding
Method: Ensured that the project included the following elements: accessibility (follow requirements and standards of Americans with Disabilities Act), safety (improve actual and perceived safety of site users by providing the following components: clear, defined spaces and access control, natural surveillance with adequate lighting levels, natural surveillance at entrances and walkways and clear visibility and good sight lines) and wayfinding (create an environment that makes it easy and intuitive for users to orient themselves and navigate from place to place by providing the following components: clear entrances and gateways, viewpoints and sight lines, landmarks, hierarchy of pedestrian and vehicular circulation and maps and brochures).
Status: 2 points earned (out of 2 available points) - Credit 6.3: Promote equitable site use
Method: Achieved the following SITES credits: support mental restoration, support physical activity, support social connection and promote sustainability awareness and education. Provided free public access to four specific, equitable site elements which include: green infrastructure features and monitoring stations, 1.7 acres of free public outdoor gardens, a weekly public organic farmer’s market on the iconic Phipps front lawn and the Phipps Café and outdoor dining area.
Status: 2 points earned (out of 2 available points) - Credit 6.4: Support mental restoration
Method: Provided accessible, quiet outdoor spaces that include: seating for 5% of total site users, visual and physical access to vegetation, elements that reduce noise and mitigate negative distractions and elements that address microclimate and other site-specific conditions (e.g., sun, shade and wind).
Status: 2 points earned (out of 2 available points) - Credit 6.5: Support physical activity
Method: The team worked to improve human health by providing onsite opportunities that encourage outdoor physical activity. Estimated the total number of site users at peak times of use to be 117 peak users on weekdays. Developed and implemented a functional plan that encourages outdoor physical activity for the users by providing the following features: a physical activity program (yoga classes) and an onsite trail that is a minimum of one mile in length and is closed loop. The trail also connects to an off-site multi-use trail system through Schenley Park that is several miles in length.
Status: 2 points earned (out of 2 available points) - Credit 6.6: Support social connection
Method: Provided outdoor spaces to encourage social connection, including: seating for a minimum of 10% of total site users that accommodate a variety of group sizes, elements that address microclimate and other site-specific conditions (e.g., sun, shade and wind), amenities, services or activity spaces (e.g., food concessions, picnic or dining areas, playgrounds and farmers’ markets).
Status: 2 points earned (out of 2 available points) - Credit 6.7: Provide on-site food production
Method: There is no onsite food production at the project site.
Status: Credit not pursued - Credit 6.8: Reduce light pollution
Method: There is no light pollution at the project site.
Status: Credit not pursued - Credit 6.9: Encourage fuel efficient and multi-modal transportation
Method: The team worked to include: preferred parking for vehicles that have reduced emissions and high fuel efficiency for 3% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site, preferred parking for vanpools and carpools for 3% of the total vehicle parking capacity and electric recharge stations or alternative fuel stations.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 4 available points) - Credit 6.10: Minimize exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
Method: Complied with Option 2: Prohibit smoking on site. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 2 suggests developing and implementing a smoke-free policy to prohibit smoking within the entire site.
Status: 2 points earned (out of 1 – 2 available points) - Credit 6.11: Support local economy
Method: The team worked to include: hiring a local workforce and supporting local businesses during the construction phase, commit to employing no fewer than 75% of workers at or above a living wage ($27.95 per hour in 2011) during construction of the site and purchasing materials and construction services equal to 10% or more of the construction budget from locally owned and operated business. This information is provided in documentation from the contractor, confirming that the amount of money spent on materials and construction services is over 80% of the project’s construction cost.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 3 available points)
Section 7: Construction
Sustainable construction practices start with ensuring that contractors are aware of sustainability goals set in the initial design phase. Then, proper actions can be taken through the construction phase. This section encourages projects to protect air quality through low-emitting equipment, strive for a net-zero waste site, ensure healthy vegetation through soil restoration strategies, and protect receiving waters from polluted runoff and sedimentation.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisite 7.1: Communicate and verify sustainable construction practices
Method: Designated an integrated design team member, other than the contractor, who was responsible for verifying the site is built per the construction specifications and drawings. Held a meeting that included at least one person from each discipline from the integrated design team to review construction specifications and drawings that conveyed the project’s sustainability principles and performance goals and to review the steps needed to achieve all prerequisites and pursued credits. Created a SITES Punchlist that assigned responsibility for each prerequisite and desired credit to a member of the integrated design team.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 7.2: Control and retain construction pollutants
Method: Created and implemented an erosion and sedimentation control plan (ESC) and a rainwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) for all construction activities associated with the project. The SWPPP and ESC conformed to erosion and sedimentation requirements of the United States EPA Construction General Permit.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 7.3: Restore soils disturbed during construction
Method: Conducted a Pre-Design Site Assessment (Prerequisite 2.2.) and identified that there were no existing, naturally occurring referenced soils on the site. The site was devoid of topsoil and subsoil. These soils had to be manufactured and imported to the site to be used for planting and rain garden drainage soils. The imported topsoil and manufactured soil blends designed to serve as topsoil and subsoil were not mined from greenfield sites, prime farmland, unique farmland or farmland of statewide or local importance as defined by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Status: Achieved
Credits
- Credit 7.4: Restore soils disturbed by previous development
Method: Utilized a point value table to determine what percent of total site area would be re-vegetated. The total project area of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes was 2.9 acres. All existing non-paved areas or areas covered by buildings or structures were devoid of soil suitable for re-vegetation. The total area of severely disturbed soils that would be re-vegetated was 1.4 acres.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 3 – 5 available points) - Credit 7.5: Divert construction and demolition materials from disposal
Method: Diverted materials from disposal by recycling, salvaging or reusing structural materials (e.g., bricks, steel or wood) and road and infrastructure materials (e.g., pavement or drainage structures). Found that 75% of structural materials and 95% of road and infrastructure materials were diverted.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 3 – 4 available points) - Credit 7.6: Divert reusable vegetation, rocks and soil from disposal
Method: Soils were reused for functions comparable to their original function (i.e., topsoil is used as topsoil, subsoil as subsoil or subsoil amended to become functional topsoil). Retained 100% of land-clearing materials for use within 50 miles of the site.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 3 – 4 available points) - Credit 7.7: Protect air quality during construction
Method: Established a policy to reduce diesel engines used onsite during construction. Limited unnecessary idling to no more than five minutes in any sixty minute period. Implemented a preventative maintenance plan for all equipment according to engine manufacturer specifications. Used no construction equipment with Tier 0 engines. 50% of total run-time of construction equipment had Tier 3 or higher engines.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 2 – 4 available points)
Section 8: Operations and Maintenance
To produce a design and to meet performance goals that will conserve resources and reduce pollution and waste throughout the life of the project, work with a maintenance professional during the design phase. This section promotes maintenance strategies that maximize the site’s long-term potential in providing ecosystem services. Strategies include reducing material disposal, ensuring long-term health of soil and vegetation, reducing pollution, conserving energy, and encouraging the use of renewable energy.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisite 8.1: Plan for sustainable site maintenance
Method: Prepared a site maintenance plan with the integrated design team, explained short-term risks and the long-term strategic plan to achieve sustainable maintenance goals and ensured the maintenance contractor or site manager committed to educating maintenance personnel on the goals and implementation of the site maintenance plan.
Status: Achieved - Prerequisite 8.2: Provide for storage and collection of recyclables
Method: Conducted a waste stream study to estimate the amount of recyclable materials generated in outdoor areas (e.g., paper, glass, plastics and metals), co-located collection containers for recyclables next to all trash receptacles and ensure that service is provided for collection of recyclable materials.
Status: Achieved
Credits
- Credit 8.3: Recycle organic matter
Method: Conducted a waste stream study that estimated the amount of vegetation trimmings and food waste that will be generated. Found that the Center for Sustainable Landscapes composts and recycles 100% of vegetation trimmings off-site within fifty miles.
Status: 3 points earned (out of 3 – 5 available points) - Credit 8.4: Minimize pesticide and fertilizer use
Method: Complied with Option 2: Best management practices for plant health care. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 2 suggests that all requirements for Option 1: Plant health care plan are followed. Incorporated additional policy options of: banning all weed and feed type fertilizers, enforcing buffer zones, developing written safety and handling regulations, banning pesticides for cosmetic purposes, banning use of pre-emergent herbicides, using organic slow release fertilizers and banning fertilizer use in rainy seasons.
Status: 5 points earned (out of 4 – 5 available points) - Credit 8.5: Reduce outdoor energy consumption
Method: Selected outdoor lighting and other site equipment (e.g., aerators, ceiling fans, water pumps and transformers) to achieve an annual energy reduction of 90% from the estimated baseline energy use.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 2 – 4 available points) - Credit 8.6: Use renewable sources for landscape electricity needs
Method: Complied with Option 1: Onsite renewable production. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 1 suggests using onsite renewable energy sources to generate outdoor site electricity for at least 100% of annual outdoor site electricity. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) operates as a net zero energy facility with a net zero energy balance spreadsheet. The CSL net zero energy tracking and monthly renewable energy generation reports document net-zero energy use.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 3 – 4 available points) - Credit 8.7: Protect air quality during landscape maintenance
Method: Complied with Option 1: Scheduled maintenance. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 1 suggests planning for the use of powered maintenance equipment only during hours when the site is closed for use or during periods when the lowest percentage of site users are potentially exposed to landscape maintenance emissions.
Status: 2 points earned (out of 2 – 4 available points)
Section 9: Education and Performance Monitoring
This section recognizes projects for efforts made to inform and educate the public about the project goals and sustainable practices implemented in site design, construction, and maintenance. It also creates an incentive to monitor, document, and report the performance of the site over time in order to influence and improve the body of knowledge in site sustainability.
Credits
- Credit 9.1: Promote sustainability awareness and education
Method: Complied with Option 2: Additional education. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 2 suggests that Option 1: Educational and interpretive elements is completed (provide a maximum of three educational or interpretive elements that draw attention to and explain sustainable features or processes of the site design, construction, operations or maintenance). Under Option 2, the following were added: interpretive signage, informational brochures and educational programming. Interpretive signage is placed throughout the landscape. For example, the lagoon signage notes that the lagoon is a storm water control element as well as a thriving ecosystem of native water side plants, turtles, fish and insects. Brochures that describe sustainable elements of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes are provided to the public. For example, it is noteworthy that over one hundred native plants comprise native plant communities in the landscape. Educational programming such as summer camps, field trips and high school eco-challenges are provided by Phipps’ Science and Education Department. In addition, docent led tours are a key component in promoting sustainability awareness and education at Phipps.
Status: 4 points earned (out of 3 – 4 available points) - Credit 9.2: Develop and communicate a case study
Method: Use the SITES project to clearly and effectively illustrate the approaches, strategies and benefits of implementing sustainability at the site scale.
Status: Credit not pursued - Credit 9.3: Plan to monitor and report site performance
Method: Develop a plan or policy to demonstrate the ongoing performance monitoring and reporting of at least three SITES prerequisites or credits.
Status: Credit not pursued
Section 10
This section encourages creativity and innovation in fulfilling prerequisite and credit requirements. It awards bonus points to projects that demonstrate exemplary performance above and beyond the targets established by one or more of the credits. SITES also supports innovation by awarding extra points to projects that develop or pursue sustainable practices or meet benchmarks for sustainable performance that are not currently addressed in the SITES v2 Rating System.
Credits
- Credit 10.1: Innovation or exemplary performance
Method: Complied with two innovations under Option 2: Innovation outside the SITES v2 Rating System. In SITES, options allow project teams to choose actions to satisfy credit requirements. Option 2 suggests that innovative site practices and performance benefits are applied and documented in areas not specifically addressed by the SITES v2 Rating System. At the Center for Sustainable Landscapes site, net zero sanitary water documents the project’s efforts to treat all sanitary water in a constructed wetland with a two-stage treatment cell system, sand filters and UV treatment with no chemicals used. Certification is also achieved for three rating systems: LEED Platinum, the Living Building Challenge and SITES Platinum.
Status: 6 points earned (out of 3 – 9 bonus points)
Take Away
The SITES v2 platinum certified Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) serves as a template for understanding and implementing SITES across Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. From Section 1 through Section 8, almost every prerequisite and credit of SITES is reflected in the landscape. SITES strategies and guiding principles provide valuable criteria for designing the site and specific documentation requirements ensure that site development standards and guidelines are adhered to. The CSL is a lens to view other sites on campus and unlock potential strengths and opportunities for SITES implementation, while also addressing weaknesses and constraints.
