Strategies for preserving and restoring habitat can be integrated into the site’s stormwater design and may contribute to SSc6: Stormwater Quantity Control. Focus on restoring areas of drainage where native and adapted plants can aid in stormwater treatment.

Restoring larger areas may be necessary for credit achievement and will take more planning and investment. Consider replacing large areas of paving or turf grass with native xeriscaping or uncovering waterways and water bodies that are currently diverted into underground pipes or storage tanks.

Some existing areas within your site may lend themselves to quick and easy restoration efforts. For example, it may be simple to convert annual beds to native, perennial forbs (i.e., herbaceous, flowering plants—rather than grasses, sedges, or rushes). Planting a native understory beneath existing trees, where turf grass can be hard to maintain, can be done with minimal site disturbance.

Natural site areas, including water bodies, exposed rock, or bare ground, can also contribute to the achievement of this credit. These features can only contribute if they are part of the region’s historical natural landscape and provide habitat value.

This credit requires more than just native species; areas of vegetation must be biologically diverse and capable of providing habitat. Monoculture plantings, such as single-species turf grass or sedum on a green roof, cannot contribute to the credit requirements, even if they meet the definition of native or adapted. Consider substituting areas of manicured lawn with short-stature prairie grass and incorporating a diverse selection of native groundcover into vegetated roofing systems. 

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.

Landscape architects, local restoration ecologists, horticultural extension agencies, and native plant societies can help identify appropriate species and conditions for the local habitat.

Consider restoring habitat around and adjacent to the most ecologically sensitive areas on your site, such as adjacent wildlife habitat or bodies of water.

Research appropriate native and adapted plants, landscaping conditions, and watering requirements for your climate and region. Be aware of any differences in maintenance and water requirements between new and well-established plantings.

Areas of vegetated roof surfaces can contribute to the achievement of this credit if they are planted with habitat-providing native and adapted plants. In zero-lot-line conditions, this credit can be earned by using green-roof surfaces equal in size to at least 5% of the total site area (based on the credit requirements).