Belknap Landscape's Sustainability Efforts

"Sustainability" is the buzzword on college campuses across the country, where LEED-certified buildings are the new standard. At Belknap Landscape Company we are in process of becoming LEED Certified, rare for Landscape design firms in New Hampshire.

What's it all about anyway? And why would a landscape design-build firm like BLC make this LEED-certified investment? 

Sustainable landscape designs have been a driving force behind Belknap Landscape's projects for over 20 years - back to the time when sustainability wasn't cool...

It evidenced in the naturalized landscapes, the low power landscape lighting systems and drip irrigation systems installed by BLC technicians all over the Lakes Region of NH. Its further exemplified by BLC designs incorporating rainwater capture systems for water features and our Grounds Management Division's Integrated Pest Management Service, monitoring the landscape and use of pesticides only as a last resort to control insect and diseases.

We have an important role to play as environmental stewards and educators - Belknap Landscape's actions and specifications have a direct impact not only on each piece of property we work on, but on adjoining properties, riverways, lakes and the larger context of our region.

Though we are already talking the talk and walking the walk on jobsites everyday, the LEED Certification formalizes our role...

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a point system where verifiable sustainable landscape design practices earn "points" for the property owner. Generally, the more LEED points a property earns, the lower its carbon footprint, the lower it's operating costs and the higher it's re-sale value. The intent is to design landscape features to minimize demand for water and synthetic chemicals. Plants must be non-invasive, drought tolerant species and turf is both limited and drought tolerant.

Good for the homeowner and good for the Lakes Region ecosystem. That's why Belknap Landscape produces sustainable landscape designs. Here's a great local resource to learn more - http://extension.unh.edu/Counties/Belknap/Belknap.htm