The MELA Green Report is a growing collection of insightful articles relevant to work in sustainable landscaping. Topics include biofungicides, mulches, biodiversity and others. Use the left-hand navigation or the links below to view the complete article.

MELA Board Report on Sustainovate Conference 2009

Lindy Westerfeld

Sustainovate ‘09 is an annual conference sponsored by the Foresight Design Initiatives’ Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance (CSBA).  The purpose of Sustainovate is to, “create a knowledgeable community purposed with empowering its members to better address relevant issues and subsequently, develop more robust enterprises dedicated to the pursuit of greater sustainability.” [view PDF]

Designing for Sustainability

A presentation to the LDA by Garth Conrad, MELA President-Elect

Summarized for the MELA Website by Rinda West, Rinda West Designs

The drive  for sustainability in landscaping grows from the success of the LEED certification process in the building industry. [view PDF]

Defining the Sustainable Landscape

Garth Conrad

View this presentation about the draft Sustainable Sites Initiative and how it will potentially be the LEED for landscapes in the immediate future. [view PDF]

Designing LEED Buildings

Lois Vitt Sale

Read about challenges and successes of the LEED system for buildings, and find out what the landscape sustainability effort can learn from it. [view PDF]

Biorationals: An Environmentally Friendy Approach to Pest Control

Shawn Kingzette

Biorationals are synthetic, organic and inorganic pesticides that exhibit low toxicity and low impact on the environment. [view PDF]

A Review of Biofungicides

Garth Conrad

There's a relatively new class of fungicides that seemingly bridges the gap between traditional agrichemicals and organic approaches. [full article]

Stop the Use of Cypress Mulch!

Mike Nowak

The use of organic mulches is one of the cornerstones of environmental responsibility. However, all mulches are NOT created equal. [full article]

Monarchs and Milkweed

Roxana Robinson

Near my back door is a tall, straggly plant, with an awkward shape, nearly colorless flowers. If you saw it you'd think it was a weed, and you'd be right. I planted it. [full article]

Corridors of Biodiversity

Garth Conrad

Collective landscape, heal thyself! [full article]

Read Your Weeds

National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns

Weeds can tell you a lot about the condition of your lawn and indicate what you need to do to grow healthy grass that is naturally resistant to weeds and pest problems. [full article]