Ecologically Based Landscape Design and Pest Control: The project site is an urban infill site located in Sacramento, California. The project is an office building for the State of California, housing the Department of Education. Prior to the design and construction of the new office building, the site was a surface parking lot with a few trees surrounding the site on the perimeter. Adjacent to the project is a six-story apartment building and across from the site is the California State Capitol mall, a park like setting, with many differing plants and tree species represented. Contained within the project is a small pocket park, which separates the office building from the adjacent apartment building. The park was selected as a site for the State Arts in Architecture program, and a nationally known artist was selected for the art commission. In response to community outreach efforts, and in response to neighborhood concerns about open space, the Design Team for the project worked with the artist to develop a unique response. The team worked on the development of the landscape design using specific features listed below, coupled with the strategy of an ecologically based landscape management and maintenance program. The team also sought to use the project landscape as a means to educate and promote the use of organic based urban landscaping and agricultural farming and the use of beneficial insects as a substitute for pesticides. Features of the Ecologically based Landscape Design and Pest Control include: - An interpretive fountain and sculpture that uses gray water and that reflects the culture and environs of the Sierra Foothills; - Native plant materials, selected for their appropriateness to the climate, low water requirements, adaptation of the native cultural landscape of the region, and aesthetic appeal. Plant material was also selected for its ability to provide habitat for beneficial insects; - Organic landscape specifications including soil mix management, sub-surface drip irrigation, gray water and organic fertilizers; - An irrigation system that utilizes high efficiency drip technology and reduces water consumption by 63%; - A fertilizing and feeding plan, which includes a biological nutrient management using compost tea, injected into the irrigation system; - The project also has a retail component, designated as restaurant space. Once restaurant tenants are identified, the Design Team will work with the tenants to develop a composting process to recycle organic waste streams from the building and the restaurant tenants, including food waste, landscape pruning, etc. - Training of the building and grounds maintenance staff to monitor for insect pests and plant disease. Training the staff to release beneficial insects as the primary means of pest control, and training the staff to use soft pesticides and to avoid toxins. - Educational stations with plaques and graphics delineating the ecological methods utilized, beneficial insect and plant identification and their symbiotic relationships. - Consultation on pest problems and supplying beneficial insects to the project for the duration of the two-year warranty period. Question: Could this interpretive pocket park, developed with neighborhood concerns, educational goals and coupled with organic practices be considered an innovation point?
Yes, this project could attempt an innovation credit by addressing the education value of the "green" features of the park. A previous LEED Interpretation on the issue of an educational program in relation to buildings to achieve an innovation credit: please see Inquiry Number 0121-IDc11-092801. To summarize the earlier ruling, your project must be ACTIVELY instructional by including two of the three following elements: 1) comprehensive signage program to educate; 2) manual, guideline or case study to inform the design of other projects; 3) educational outreach program or guided tour focusing on sustainable living. As outlined in your inquiry, most of these elements are planned or already incorporated into the program in a very comprehensive way that reaches across many credit categories. Rather than focusing on a sustainable building education program as described in the previous inquiries, this project could focus on a sustainable site educational program that highlights green features throughout, as suggested in your narrative. You must be vigilant in your documentation of the measures described and provide adequate photos/drawings and other documentation along with narratives explaining your intent, the requirements, the submittals and the design approach, as directed in the Reference Guide. The opportunity to achieve innovation credits is designed for just such projects that either lie outside the existing LEED credits or exemplify exceptional performance in sustainability.