The Sustainable Sites Initiative is the first rating system (similar to LEED) for green landscape design, construction and maintenance. It is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden to transform land development and management practices with the nation's first voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. This year the Sustainable Sites Initiative announced the selection of 150 projects from 34 states as well as from Canada, Iceland and Spain to participate in an international pilot project program to evaluate the new SITES rating system for sustainable landscapes. Three projects in San Diego County were selected to participate: two designed by the Schmidt Design Group, Inc. of San Diego (Cottonwood Creek Park and Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens) and one by Helix Environmental Planning of La Mesa (Helix Environmental Planning Headquarters). Cottonwood Creek Park (former Orchid recipient) was selected based sustainable practices such as: the daylighting of two creeks to create a native riparian habitat corridor, stormwater management and bioswales that improve the water quality of the urban runoff that flows through the park. Other sustainable elements include native plant material throughout, sustainably harvested IPE wood decks and fencing, pervious concrete that provides infiltration in the parking lot and pathways; and interpretive educational nodes along the restored creek. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (former Orchid recipient) was selected based on sustainable practices including: combining entertaining and recreation within a stormwater basin, water quality improvements, use of local and reused materials, as well as Mediterranean, native and edible landscaping to create a unique and regionally appropriate garden. The garden is also 100% organically maintained. Helix Environmental Planning Headquarters was selected based on sustainable practices including: removing high water use lawn areas, installing a native plant garden, as well as managing and re-using rainwater on site.

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The Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center is a garden-based learning facility and children’s garden for the surrounding community of National City. The client, the International Community Foundation, is a non-profit organization that empowers citizens to improve the health and quality of life in the communities within the San Diego-Baja California border region. Students who attend the Olivewood Gardens program learn about organic gardening. They explore connections between plants and history, science, art, math, nutrition and cook using organic fruits and vegetables harvested from the garden. Olivewood Gardens is the newest addition to the ICF’s campus which includes the 1896 Noyes House and an established organic garden which harvests produce for UCSD Cancer Center’s Healing Foods Program. The client and design team worked with the common goal of creating an inspiring place to learn. Marcie Harris Landscape Architecture maximized the client’s limited space while creating a site design that is playful, orderly and flexible. The demonstration garden includes pollinator gardens to attract beneficial insects, raised planters, in-ground row crops, a passion fruit tunnel, a pizza garden, a recycled garden, picnic tables and a composting area. Sustainability was also an integral part of the project. The parking lot and pathways use permeable materials to minimize run off. The planting was installed with organic non-chemical fertilizers and amendments. Olivewood Gardens is proud to feature a Graywater Infiltration Garden, which was the first permitted graywater system in National City. The graywater from the sink infiltrates into the garden irrigating native plants. The design is cohesive with the existing context. The orientation of the garden and entry were designed to frame a view of San Miguel Mountain. The existing iconic Canary Island palm tree and majestic Morton Bay fig were also incorporated into the site design. The use of materials such as cobble, decomposed granite, and wood relate to the rustic character of the existing organic garden. The Olivewood Gardens has planted a “seed” in the community by inspiring educators, families and children to build their own sustainable gardens. The growth and consumption of fresh, organic food will have a positive impact on the quality of our lives as well as our environment.

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Old Globe Plaza at the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center This complete makeover for the heavily used Plaza at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park included a complete re-grading and expansion of the existing plaza to accommodate increased use and accessibility, concurrent with the new, state of the art Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, a 20-million dollar replacement of the old Cassius Carter Theatre. The new plaza design features granite paving, interlocking pavers and sand finished concrete in a concentric, radiating pattern, appointed with an outdoor dining pavilion, audio visual hook ups, lighting, seating and landscaping, all set in a festival atmosphere amidst San Diego’s greatest theatre venue. Demolition began in July of 2008 and construction was completed in December of 2009. Special recognition of the contributions of private citizens was a requirement of the program, but needed to be tastefully included in the work. Bronze letters in the paving and etched granite pavers celebrate the philanthropy of San Diego citizens, while remaining subtle. The plaza serves as an arrival point for all 3 theatres, and needed to be a nexus between Balboa Park and the theatre interiors. At intermission, there can be as many as 1500 people in the plaza at one time, so the plaza area was expanded and seating greatly increased. The pavilion and surroundings create a dynamic setting for theatre events. Landscape on all perimeters was enhanced to promote an enclave like quality to the venue.

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In alignment with their Corporate Sustainability Goals, Solar Turbines (A Catepillar Company) elected to reduce their water consumption by removing 90,000 sf of turf grass to create a sustainable, 'WaterSmart' landscape amenity. At first, the removal of 2 acres of turf was questioned by employees, but the beauty of the transformed garden has far-exceeded expectations. The garden is now a valued employee amenity and a great source of corporate pride. Employees have learned from the project and are now implementing similar landscapes at their own homes. The project has received several awards, including: 2010 Earth Award (San Diego EarthWorks)and the 2010 President’s Award (CLCA) The Landscape was designed as a 'Sustainable Site’using the following strategies: -Turf and inefficient irrigation systems were replaced with WaterSmart elements -Mature trees were salvaged to maintain site cooling -Existing mounds were 'carved and sculpted’ into low-lying river beds, forming a network of ‘rain swales’ -On-site cobblestones were 'harvested and recycled’ into these riverbeds - Carved soil was relocated to form raised mounds for drought-tolerant trees and shrubs to nelp provide good drainage for their rootballs -Decomposed granite pathways allow water to ‘percolate’ in, rather than run off the site -Soil was amended with organic material to improve moisture retention and introduce healthy ‘biota’ -High efficiency ‘inline’ drip tubing and ‘rotator’ nozzles replaced the old rotor heads (75% water use reduction) -Smart Controllers (tied to weather station data) were installed to respond to Evapo-transpiration rates at the site -Drought tolerant plants from climates around the world were showcased -Bark mulch was used to retain soil moisture

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The Department of the Navy and a private developer worked together in public and private joint venture to build this first-of-its-kind housing development for single, enlisted sailors in San Diego. The project includes three (3) 18-story buildings providing a striking addition to the San Diego skyline and house nearly 1,000 sailors in dual-master suite residences. Due to a critical shortfall of affordable housing in the area, the Navy requires all junior enlisted sailors to live on the ship while in homeport. The Pacific Beacon project, an important component of the Navy’s Ship to Shore initiative, will give each sailor more than 200 times the amount of room than what was previously available in on-board accommodations. Project programmed for the Pacific Beacon included a rooftop Sky Terrace with pool and spa and outdoor amenities taking advantage of San Diego’s ideal weather, which included an athletic field, running path, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, BBQ areas, and an outdoor Courtyard Living Rooms.

The site had several unusual site planning restriction which included major sewer easement which diverse through the site and meeting the Department of Defense minimum antiterrorism standards. In general, this restricted the selection of the plant material and placement of roads and other site amentias in relationship to the buildings. The project also had conform to the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive Order 13148; Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management, which incorporated sustainable principles in the site planning and landscape. The Pacific Beacon demonstrates a wide variety of spatial landscape settings of quality design and scale that provides resort style environment.

The 14 acre project is environmentally responsible and promotes sustainable principles, which included using the athletic field to provide storm water management and water quality, limiting 3% of overall site for higher water/maintenance to the Courtyard Living Rooms and turf areas were utilized only in recreational areas. In addition, what you do not see on the surface is the new technologies irrigation design, which includes a weather based control and central computer irrigation system including fertilizer injection system to reduce irrigation water consumption and storm water pollution.

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