New foundation launches to focus on sustainability
This year sees the launch of The Sustainable Landscape Foundation, a new charity with the mission to share best practice for creating more sustainable gardens, cities and wider landscapes.
Founded by landscape architects and garden designers Arit Anderson CMLI and Marian Boswell FLI, the new charity’s trustees include past president of the Landscape Institute Adam White FLI and his business partner Andrée Davies FLI, Professor Nigel Dunnett FLI, business expert Lisa Anderson and Simon Hepper, founder of the Sustainable Restaurant Association and Net Zero Now.
In an article published in the March issue of Pro Landscaper, Adam White talks of being approached by Anderson and Boswall: “The two pitched the idea to me at the Pro Landscaper Business Awards in 2017. I was sold and agreed to join them on their journey to unite and inform the wider profession. Since then, we have gathered a team of industry leaders, scientists, investors and influencers who are keen to push to unify the benchmark of what makes sustainable landscape design and management.”
One of the key objectives of the Sustainable Landscape Foundation, White says, is to develop an accreditation process for projects, with ratings which could be linked to materials, aftercare and biodiversity. It is also looking to develop workshops with its partners on sustainable practices and to create an “online sustainability hub” to offer guidance.
“We want to start by producing a set of codes and measurements for the profession and industry,” says Arit Anderson. “We need to raise awareness in both the horticultural industry and the public realm, the foundation will act as an interface for both groups. Eventually, we hope garden owners might get an eco-rating on their gardens, which could reduce their council tax rates in some way. It is this incentive-driven approach that could also precipitate change in the public sector.”
Marian Boswell adds: “We are all custodians of the earth and, as landscape professionals, are in a unique position to make an impact. The issues created in one generation, need to be addressed by the next generation.”
Are you interested to know more? Visit the SLF website and sign up to join and be more involved.
