If your site already has large areas of existing, natural, open space or a landscape with native and adapted plantings, this credit is easy to earn. Check that you have native or adapted vegetation covering at least of 25% of the total site area (excluding the building footprint) or 5% of the total site area (including the building footprint—whichever is greater.

If you have the open space to do this, but it’s currently covered by turf, hardscape, or other non-native habitat, consider how much restoration would be needed to meet the threshold. In fact, all project teams should consider the multiple benefits of incrementally upgrading their project’s landscaping with more native plantings, even if it has to be incrementally implemented to be cost effective. Re-landscaping large portions of the site will require costs to cover design, labor installation, and the costs of the plants. However, many sites contain annual beds or other areas that can gradually be transitioned to native perennial plantings.

…But any site can earn the credit with off-site restoration

Through off-site restoration and maintenance, this credit can be achieved by any project regardless of site limitations. Two square feet off-site count as one square foot onsite.

The LEED Reference Guide does not clearly define the scope or type of efforts that should be included in the improvement and maintenance of off-site habitat. It confirms that support can be in the form of financial or service commitments, but what scope should be included in a contract with an off-site landowner has been left open to interpretation. There is no reference standard to set the bar for effective off-site conservation and restoration efforts.

What is restoration?

Whether you’re doing onsite or off-site restoration, though, it’s likely to have the following elements:

• Ensure that diversity is restored and maintained. Site restoration should include multiple types of native plants and support a variety of local fauna.
• Eliminate and control invasive and non-native species. This may include extensive and continuous control measures. Appropriate measures vary by species, and include measures like pulling out plants, deadheading, mowing, or burning. Don’t assume that just because a piece of land is undeveloped and thriving with plants, that it is populated with native and adapted vegetation.
• Restore and protect the ecosystem’s ability to maintain water quality and soil productivity. Use landforms and plants to help manage stormwater on site and control erosion For example, plant bioswales and choose proper species for steep slopes.
• Ensure the operation of basic ecosystem processes, such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, etc.

Consider these questions when approaching this credit

• How much compliant area does the project need to meet the credit requirements?
• How much native or adapted vegetation does the existing site already have? What are the opportunities to expand the area of native plantings?
• Can restoring areas onsite help improve the site’s appearance, reduce or eliminate maintenance, and improve stormwater management?
• Can native and adaptive vegetation contribute to the project’s goals for sustainable sites and water use reduction?
• What is the character of the native habitat in this climate and region?
• Did the project earn the credit related to protection or restoration of open space under LEED NC, LEED for Core and Shell, or LEED for Schools? If so, follow the D+C streamlined path.