Government agencies look to incorporate sustainable landscapes

An increasing number of federal agencies are using sustainable landscape techniques as part of the government’s efforts to become environmentally friendly. Federal Times.com reports a vegetable garden is planted outside USDA’s Washington, D.C., headquarters along with native plant species. An Energy Department laboratory in Golden, Colo., recycles storm water through prairie grass, rocks and recycled crush concrete to irrigate a surrounding landscape.
By 2013 an artificial wetlands will be installed to help reduce water consumption at the Otay Mesa border crossing near San Diego. Concerned with the availability of water, Customs and Border Protection officials chose to create artificial wetlands rather than planting non-native grass or other landscaping that would require frequent irrigation.
Nine federal agencies have joined the Sustainable Sites Initiative to help develop new standards for measuring landscape sustainability. General Services Administration chief architect Les Shepherd told Federal Times.com that landscapes are an integral part of designing federal buildings.

Pictured: USDA in Washington, D.C., is just one of several federal agencies looking to implement sustainable landscape techniques.