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Natural Resources
Environmental Balance, Stewardship, and Sustainability Group
June 26, 2003
Group Participants
Dave Cohen, Facilitator
Executive Summary
The significant importance of “public input” during the current revision of Portsmouth’s Master Plan has been brought to an elevated level with the Portsmouth Listens Study Circles. As the Natural Resource - Environmental Balance, Stewardship, and Sustainability group of this citywide planning effort, we were given an empowering opportunity to participate in “Making Portsmouth the Best Place to Live and Work for Everyone.”
Of the major themes or issues highlighted during Portsmouth Listens, Phase I, there was a clear directive to preserve, protect, enhance, and sustain our natural resources and open spaces and incorporate wise environmental practices into this stewardship. As a result, in Phase II, our group, the Natural Resources, Environmental Balance, Stewardship, and Sustainability Group was created to further deliberate this key area.
To identify major issues, comments relevant to environmental balance, stewardship, and sustainability contained in all the Phase I Study Circle Reports were tabulated according to their subject or theme, e.g., water issues, wetlands, recreation, etc. The most prevalent theme was the preservation and conservation of undeveloped property, i.e. an open space.
There were also numerous comments from Phase I participants on the concept of sustainability. Therefore, as a group, we firmly believe that the City should increase awareness of this issue both to City government and citizens and integrate sustainability principles into the City’s decision making processes. Ultimately, we encourage the City to adopt a sustainability framework to guide future development, programs and projects.
In every environmental topic (open space, water, pollution, etc.) throughout Phase I and Phase II, there was a common theme of a need for citizen involvement in the City’s planning process. To emphasize the importance of this issue, our Phase II group strongly believes the incorporation of ongoing citizen input into future City decision-making through the establishment of Citizen Committee groups is necessary. It is envisioned that the involvement of these Citizen Committee Groups would continue throughout the implementation of the City’s Master Plan.
The sequence of the sections of our Phase II report was based on the relative importance of the natural resource - environmental balance, stewardship, and sustainability issues in the Phase I Study Circle Reports. The most significant topics based on the number of comments from Phase I, such as "open space policy" and "water issues and wetlands" have been listed first. A discussion, as well as goals and actions have been presented for each of these key issues.
1. Sustainability Framework
1. Sustainability Framework
We recommend inserting a Sustainability Framework into the City of Portsmouth Master Plan. We envision the Master Plan as an opportunity to share our communities’ deepest values, values that have impact on each of us, as well as future generations.
Goals:
We want to ensure that we as a community are progressing toward creating healthy natural resources, vibrant cultural communities and balanced economic development.
In order to achieve these goals, we recommend adopting a framework, such as The Natural Step, by Karl Henrick Robert. This framework of The Natural Step has four system conditions:
Example of Applicability: when the City purchases or replaces vehicles, give preference to efficient, alternative fueled vehicles.
Example of Applicability: In any proposed landscape plan, consideration be given to water consumption, planting of native species and use of plants which do not require heavy fertilization or pesticide use.
Example of Applicability: Portsmouth will support policies which help to protect and regenerate our estuaries.
Example of Applicability: Identify parts of the City where mixed income residents, mixed use and cluster housing would be appropriate, and zone that land accordingly.
Including these system conditions in our master plan will give us direction not only on how we should develop, but it will also give us an opportunity to have a common language to talk across all disciplines, from business to education to civic society.
Action:
We recommend the creation of an Educational Forum with the mission of fostering the necessary dialogue to deepen our understanding of sustainability and how it can be implemented in our City.
There are members of the Natural Resources and Sustainability Committee who are anxious to join with others to support the development of this forum. Creation of the Forum would be accomplished by building on the foundation which Portsmouth Listens has so effectively established.
Comments from Phase I – pertaining to a “sustainability framework”
Group 8
Group 5
Group 12
Group 18
All Groups
2. Open Space
The identification, creation, preservation/conservation, and beautification of open space are key issues to the citizens of Portsmouth. Population growth and sprawling development are consuming both our natural resources and community character. At the present time, New Hampshire is the fastest growing state in the northeast. The population has more than doubled since 1950 and is projected to grow another third from 2000 to 2020.1 Eighty-five percent of this growth will occur in the southeastern third of the state.2 In order to preserve the quality of life and the uniqueness of our community, the City of Portsmouth should strive for a balance between smart growth and smart conservation and should commit efforts for open space protection/preservation.
In order to pro-actively protect open space and our quality of life, the City should:
1. Establish an Open Space Committee
Open Space Committee
The formation of an Open Space committee is crucial to the implementation of an Open Space policy. This citizens group should work with the Environmental Planner, conservation commission, planning board, local land trusts and interested citizens to focus and coordinate land protection efforts. It is anticipated that the establishment of this committee will lead to further commitment to open space issues in the City and formal adoption of smart growth principles. The committee would oversee the development and implementation of an Open Space policy. In addition to these goals the Committee should be:
Open Space Policy
In recognition of the development pressures the City faces now and anticipates facing in the future, having an Open Space Policy will set the tone for smart growth rather than uncontrolled development. It is hoped that having a plan that identifies areas targeted for conservation will enable the planning board and conservation commission to make informed decisions that are consistent with the Open Space Policy. The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forest has developed an initiative entitled New Hampshire Everlasting which is an outstanding guide for land and resource protection. We have taken several of the ideas presented in that document and adopted them here.
Goals:
The Open Space Policy should incorporate the adoption of the following goals:
1. Conservation of at least twenty-five percent of land within city boundaries for a network of conservation land and parks. (current estimates show that the City has approx. ten percent of it’s land in conservation)
2. Conservation of Lands That Support Our Quality of Life
3. Conservation of Habitat for Native Species
4. Conservation of Lands that Keep our Water Clean3
To achieve these goals, conservation of lands that provide the following should be considered as priorities:
Because we are in an urban area, the Open Space Policy should broadly interpret open and green spaces. The policy should include lands that are smaller in size such as pocket parks in the downtown areas or formal parks that may be public or semi-private. The policy should also extend to municipal development such as the Post Office block and the library.
Actions for City/Committee to implement plan
Comments from Phase I – pertaining to a “Open Space”
General / Zoning
Groups 4,7,9, 13, 16, 19
Identify, create, and conserve (i.e. an Open Space Policy)
Groups 5,10,12, 25
Control and limit commercial sprawl, Rte 1 south is beginning to look like Saugus MA
Group 3
Maintain and beautify open space and parks
Group 3,12
City to buy land and create open space/recreational areas
Group 22
“Mission statement – support the preservation and rehabilitation of the City’s open space”
No more city land sold for development
Preserve what is left of the open space in downtown
Establish an Environmental Impact Review Board
Master Plan include section on environmental preservation
Group 24
Encourage minimal impact development, reduce sprawl and preserve natural resources
Group 25
Portsmouth is loosing its small town or hometown feel. It seems that every open space is taken up by businesses rather than housing or parks.
Groups 4,8,16
New construction/redevelopment – requirement included for green space
Group 4
City to consider creating open/park space surrounding Community Campus
Develop more community parks and gardens – encourage partnership or adoption initiatives
Commit as a City and community to ongoing open space protection – invest in creative solutions
Group 5
Balance ratio of open/undeveloped to developed/paved
Group 14
Balance open spaces and population housing density
Group 9,12
Improve access and expand green space and limit building size
Group 9, 19
Create a map of green space and perform a resource and needs assessments
Group 10, 19
Provide strict review of ordinances related to open space and parks
Group 10
More interaction city residents and Planning Board
Groups 14, 16
Develop, maintain and link “green spots” throughout the city-from small pocket parks to large gardens; a community trail system (16) like the Derry NH Pathways Project that will also provide an alternative transportation network
Group 19
Look at “cluster zoning” to maximize green space
Funding
Groups 4,12, 19
Identify, develop, fund land conservation plan to preserve and add green space – float bond for open space protection
Group 8
Help support green space with a development tax
Group 14
Develop a funding mechanism for the Conservation Commission so they can quickly capitalize on open lands, such as a check box on tax bills to direct monies to the commission.
Site specific
Group 24
Purchase Lady Isle for public use
Group 8
Develop South Mill Pond into town green
Group 10
Renegotiate Osprey Landing, commercial green space to be used for small-size housing and park area
Group 12
Lafayette Road – Open spaces, are we cautious enough in the strip commercial zoning and development of Lafayette Road
Group 3
Urban Forestry/Sagamore Creek Area remain undeveloped
Groups 5,7, 20, 24
Develop a Riverfront Walkway; from downtown to Spinnaker Point; create river walk
3. Water Issues and Wetlands
Portsmouth’s valuable water resources provide tremendous enjoyment and opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors. From commercial or recreational fishing and boating to swimming and claming, planned convenient access to our waterways as well as protection of our water quality and wetlands is essential to the heart of Portsmouth.
As Seacoast New Hampshire grows at an increasing pace, Portsmouth waterways are negatively impacted by continued development within the Portsmouth and surrounding communities. To ensure water quality and quantity, impacts must be assessed for all future development activities including the unregulated pollution from stormwater runoff, as well as the regulated sources of water pollution. Although our freshwater wetlands are now protected by a 100-foot buffer, they continue to be divided and impacted by development, reducing water quality and wildlife habitat. The Little Harbor / Back Channel area appears healthy and provides beautiful vistas and the North and South Mill Ponds, have been cleaned up dramatically in the last decade through the efforts of many volunteers, the city of Portsmouth, and state organizations. Although clean-up as well as protection efforts continue, these coastal embayments are constantly challenged by development and pollution.
Nonpoint source pollution is transported with stormwater runoff and dumping from surrounding development, as well as historic causes. New development (e.g., Tucker’s Cove, Mill Pond Way) and redevelopment (e.g., Pierce Island) add new pollution sources, and sewage continues to enter the South Mill Pond and Piscataqua River from combined sewer overflows. Therefore, private activities continue to require oversight so that their impacts to public resources are minimized. Furthermore, public access to our waterways should be carefully planned to reduce human impacts to water quality and wildlife habitat while creating a safe and fun place to work, live, and play.
Goals:
1. To ensure both the quantity and quality of our City drinking water supply
2. To continue to upgrade its wastewater treatment facilities and pump stations
3. To continue efforts to limit combined sewer overflow to minimize impacts to our waterways.
4. To preserve our precious seacoast environment through strict enforcement of wetlands protection
5. To place priority not only on providing new public access to the cities’ valuable water resources and preserving and enhancing existing public access
6. To consider public access opportunities when selecting preservation or conservation properties especially when development will restrict existing waterfront access
7. To continue to address and expand current efforts to improve the water quality of the North and South Ponds by fully supporting the organizations and individuals involved in cleanup and restoration efforts.
Actions:
Water Quality and Supply
Wastewater
Wetlands
Water Access
Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution
North and South Mill Ponds
Comments from Phase I - pertaining to “Water Issues and Wetlands”
Groups 2,5
Improve sewage treatment including point and non point sources
Group 2
Protect access to water for commercial fisherman
Take control of State Pier
Appoint committee to focus on waterfront/marine environment issues
Group 8
Prioritize health of our water, soil, and air – long range plan
Work with government to manage pollution outside of Portsmouth
Group 19
We want protection of our watershed and our water sources, the city needs to upgrade the water supply, water distribution, and waste treatment facilities to ensure the highest quality
Group 24
Keep dam at South Mill Pond open year round, remove unnecessary fencing in South Mill Pond area
Group 24
Support North Mill Pond cleanup and create public access areas
Group 5
Restore, protect, and preserve tidal flow in all estuaries
Re-establish natural tidal flow
Group 5, 8
Support active preservation and restoration of North and South Mill Ponds
Group 10
Revision of zoning pertaining to wetlands
Preserve, protect, and restore ponds, creeks, rivers and wetlands
Group 24
Restore and protect salt marshes and other natural areas
4. Waterfront
One of Portsmouth’s most valuable resources is its waterfront. The roots of this community were based on fishing, whaling and merchant trade years ago. Portsmouth’s water resources provide many opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The waterfront is actively used today as in the past for commercial and recreational fishing and boating, swimming, and whale watching. Planned convenient access to the waterfront is essential to the heart of what Portsmouth is today.
Goals:
Priority needs to be placed not only on providing new public access to the City’s valuable water resources but also on preserving and enhancing existing public access. The City of Portsmouth should preserve the commercial and public access to the waterfront, while maintaining conservation measures to protect this natural resource.
Actions:
All new waterfront construction or improvement projects should involve the citizens input by either the formation of a Portsmouth Residents committee or a public comment period prior to and after initial planning. Focus should concentrate around the following:
Comments from Phase I - pertaining to “Waterfront”
Group 2
Increase public ownership
Group 2, 19
Protect and enhance/preserve: access/views to bogs, wetlands, marshes, rivers, and tidal ponds
Group 3
Preserve public viewing and encourage additional viewing points
Limit development around
Group 24
Preserve public harbor access whenever possible
Group 5
Make shoreline protection a priority and make more accessible.
Group 6
More accessible waterways for non-motorized movement
Preserve natural resources, wildlife recreation, waterfront
Group 10, 22
Support commerce and industry that insures the port continues to be a working port, maintain the working port.
Group 10
Retain public access – “Accessibility to the waterfront is very important.”
Group 15
Existing river views in downtown should be preserved and opportunities sought to add more or enhance existing ones
Group 14
Pierce Island – ensure that any development is related to marine use, the area should be kept as public space rather than allowing commercial development. An example of allowable development might be for small boat use such as a city marina.
Group 15
Its diverse components need careful supervision to balance business, industry, and public – private interests. Could a better boat facility be built at Pierce Island?
5. Pollution: Noise, Air, and Light, and Visual Pollution and Litter
Noise pollution
This is a quality of life concern, which can also negatively impact the health and well-being of those continually awakened or otherwise disturbed by excessive noise. City ordinances on noise control [Article IV] and the Zoning Ordinance [Article V, Section 10-505] describe impermissible noise levels for various city districts, at different times of day and night, as determined by sound pressure measurement equipment. Would these ordinances be adequate if rigorously enforced, or do they need revision? Enforcement will depend to a large degree upon monitoring by citizens, as well as City enforcement of the regulations.
Goal:
Determine if current ordinances are adequate to control noise pollution.
Actions:
Air pollution
Air quality is extremely poor in Portsmouth. It negatively impacts the health of the citizens and natural habitats of our City, as well as the atmosphere of our planet. Greenhouse gases are well-established contributors to global warming. Like other population concentrations along the northeastern seaboard and across the nation, our air quality has been given a rating of “F,” the worst possible rating, by monitoring organizations. A major component of this rating is sulfur dioxide, which originates from smokestacks of power plants, both locally and to the west. Auto emissions, chiefly hydrocarbons, are another important source of pollution. Improvements will require efforts on both local and national front. Tobacco smoke, also a hazard to health, is an important source of indoor pollution, and is not uniformly prohibited in Portsmouth restaurants and nightspots.
Goal:
To work towards improving air quality of the NH Seacoast region.
Actions:
Light Pollution
Light pollution in Portsmouth has been largely overlooked. This is perhaps because the public has been conditioned to believe that “more light” is always better and is essential for the public safety and for the success of commercial enterprise. However, excessive and misdirected lighting installed by businesses, private property owners and the municipality 1) have a negative impact on the quality of human and natural life, 2) can create hazardous driving conditions because of glare, and 3) waste not only tax revenues through excessive power usage but also the resources required to generate this power. The City’s Zoning Ordinance contains only minimal reference to light pollution. (see below). The state-produced Technical Bulletin #16 provides useful background information and model light pollution ordinances. Cities as large as Tucson, Arizona and nearby Kennebunkport, Maine has enacted light pollution ordinances which may serve as models. Individuals instrumental in promoting the passage of that ordinance might also be enlisted to help a Portsmouth citizens’ task force. The New Hampshire Citizens for Responsible Lighting and other organizations advocating control of light pollution can also provide guidance to the City.
Goal:
Develop a comprehensive light pollution ordinance for the City of Portsmouth.
Action:
Zoning ordinance Article V-10-511 Exterior Lights A: The source of exterior lighting shall not be arranged in such a manner as to be objectionable to adjacent properties or create a hazard on public ways and B Outside lights must be made up of a light source and reflector so that, acting together, the light beam is controlled and not directed across a property line so as to constitute a nuisance.
Site review regulations require that information be provided about the proposed location and type of lighting for outdoor facilities..
Visual Pollution and Litter
Concerns about various forms of visual pollution and litter were also cited by several of the study groups and effect the way the City is perceived by its citizens and tourists.
Goal:
Consider the scenic beauty of Portsmouth in a comprehensive manner during City decision making.
Actions:
Comments from Phase I – pertaining to “Pollution: Noise, Air, and Light, and Visual Pollution and Litter”
Noise Pollution
Groups 4, 8
More rigorously enforce current ordinances
Group 4
Install noise barriers along Route 1 bypass
Group 1
Turn down the music.
Air Pollution
Group 19
Reduce pollution from the power plant.
Group 10
Consider making downtown smoke-free.
Light Pollution
Group12
Require businesses to use lighting designed to limit light pollution.
Group 15
Light pollution is a growing concern, primarily from commercial establishments. The city ought to adopt and enforce strict regulations regarding “light trespass” from commercial establishments into the public right of way, and against lighting fixtures that aim or allow light to escape upward into the night sky. There are national and international reference sources for information on this topic; the city should appoint a volunteer task force to review the situation in Portsmouth and make recommendations. The worst offenders are auto dealerships, but many other businesses’ ‘security lighting’ in which parking lots or rear entryways are brightly illuminated with unshielded floodlights are common. An egregious example is the recently privately installed ‘street’ lighting (in addition to the pre-existing security lighting” in the lot behind the Blockbuster Video/Cleary’s Cleaners Building that send glare all the way across the Islington Street/Barrett St. Intersection. A clear comparison between bad and good are the Sunoco and Mobil stations on Islington Street, whose canopy lighting cast glare into and even across the street, and the Irving gas station down on Route 1, whose recessed canopy lighting illuminates only the area below it. The light intensity of many internally illuminated signs is also a problem.
Adopt and enforce strict regulations regarding “light trespass” and against lighting fixtures that aim or allow light to escape upward into the night sky.
Appoint a municipal task force to review the situation in Portsmouth and make recommendations.
Group12:
Require businesses to use lighting designed to limit light pollution.
Group 15:
Light pollution is a growing concern, primarily from commercial establishments. The city ought to adopt and enforce strict regulations regarding “light trespass” from commercial establishments into the public right of way, and against lighting fixtures that aim or allow light to escape upward into the night sky. There are national and international reference sources for information on this topic; the city should appoint a volunteer task force to review the situation in Portsmouth and make recommendations. The worst offenders are auto dealerships, but many other businesses’ ‘security lighting’ in which parking lots or rear entryways are brightly illuminated with unshielded floodlights are common. An egregious example is the recently privately installed ‘street’ lighting (in addition to the pre-existing security lighting” in the lot behind the Blockbuster Video/Cleary’s Cleaners Building that send glare all the way across the Islington Street/Barrett St. Intersection. A clear comparison between bad and good are the Sunoco and Mobil stations on Islington Street, whose canopy lighting cast glare into and even across the street, and the Irving gas station down on Rt 1, whose recessed canopy lighting illuminates only the area below it. The light intensity of many internally illuminated signs is also a problem.
Visual Pollution and Litter
Group 1
Pick up litter
Group 10
Schedule downtown trash pickup to early AM or late PM so trash doesn’t litter sidewalks.
Group 15
Visual clutter from utility poles, lines, and signage. City should be more judicial in placement of additional signs and sign poles, make an effort to consolidate.
Group 24
Add services to keep the city center clean by adding more recycling and ample trash bins, and remove graffiti.
6. Recreation / Parks
Recreation is a vital aspect of City life. Many recreational opportunities currently exist in the City of Portsmouth.
Goal:
The City should continue to plan for new recreational areas, as well as expand and/or improve existing recreational facilities. All new construction or improvement projects should involve citizen input by either the formation of a Portsmouth Residents committee or a public comment period prior to and after initial planning.
Actions:
Comments from Phase I - pertaining to “Recreation/Parks”
Groups 5,11
Continue support of public recreational areas – public river access and boat launches
Group 13
Dog park - make more sanitary and stiffer penalties for those who don’t pick up
Group 22
More dog parks
Pierce Island to be preserved
Group 3
Increase number of affordable ball fields and tennis courts
Group 7
Pierce Island - move municipal boat launch
Group 9
Provide responsible recreation (preserve /use Great Bog & upgrade/expand recreational facilities
Group 10
Need for increased public recreation areas – Pease and old DPW off Islington could be recreation area
Support of gym and basketball court at Spinnaker Point
Group 20
Pierce Island – improve for better recreation
Group 8
Parks in places where people will congregate
Group 24
Add sitting areas and pocket parks where pedestrians can meet or rest
Preserve and support Prescott Park programs and other activities now existing
Group 23
Create and maintain current parks
7. Sustainable Landscaping
The City should develop a Landscape Management Plan (LMP) that includes principles and practices of sustainability. This LMP should guide the City as well as citizens / businesses when new and old projects are considered for “greenscaping”. This LMP should incorporate the following elements so that it sets forth a vision that will provide aesthetics, ecological habitat, energy and water conservation, and fit into a larger greenway framework. Above all, citizen input should be included as the Plan evolves.
Goal:
Hire a part-time or full-time position to develop and administer the Landscape Management Plan and Tree Management Plan, and additional duties as applies to landscaping, community gardening, and park management with the City’s Recreation Department.
Actions:
Comments from Phase I - pertaining to “Landscaping”
Group 1
Plant flowers
Group 3
The gateways to the city (landscaping, trees flowers)
Group 4
Trees to be planted along Congress and Islington Street
Group 4
Beautify neighborhoods and parks by creating and implementing landscape/greenway plan
Group 5,13
Plant more trees when developing and refurbishing neighborhoods
Group 6
Plant trees and shrubs around mall parking lots
Group 13
Create a community garden
Group 9
Use green techniques minimizing fertilizer and pesticides
Group 15
Tree Management plan and Landscaping as a priority, there are large expanses of asphalt, encourage greenery as an ethic instead of barren concrete
Group 19, 20
Have a ratio of trees to buildings; plant trees throughout the city
Group 19
Create buffers/vegetation on major thoroughfares
Group 19
“Paving Over” – change how the City works with developers and national chains in order to limit indiscriminate paving over of large areas
Group 21
New developments should have innovative design guidelines that include landscaping and orientation
8. “Green” City/Business Practices - Green Infrastructure
Research has afforded us the capacity to engineer and design buildings and systems that are sustainable and use a “life cycle perspective”.
Goal:
The City of Portsmouth should strive to develop, promote, and implement sustainable business practices, as well as sustainable buildings. The implementation of sustainable building practices relies on an integrated process starting with policies and programming for a new project and leading to operations, maintenance, and new policies for the occupied building.
Actions:
Comments from Phase I - pertaining to “Green Building Practices”
Group 14
Development/Commercial – 1) Offer incentives for commercial buildings to be environmentally friendly – require “green” standards in municipal buildings and new development, 2) in new commercial, insist on green space as well as residential to encourage “mini neighborhoods”, 3) review existing zoning and commercial development to include multi-use – green space.
Group 13
Green Building practices should be adopted, see page 38 for the description
Group 18
Portsmouth should become leader by incorporating energy efficient practices in all facets of City business and promoting alternative, non-polluting sources for energy and transportation; promote sound/clean/green design of spatial environments
Group 19
City should adopt environmentally sustainable practices in all its endeavors, and we are in favor of the green Portsmouth Library
Group 20
Encourage “LEED” certified buildings
9. Recycling & Composting:
In addition to saving the City on disposal costs associated with tipping fees, recycling has many benefits including the saving of our limited natural resources, reduction of energy needs and of water in the manufacture of goods, reduction of emissions that may contribute to the greenhouse effect, and the saving of valuable space in landfills. Following are items for consideration:
Goal:
We recommend that a major emphasis be placed on recycling in the City.
Actions:
Comments from Phase I – pertaining to a “Recycling and Composting”
Group 5
Implement downtown recycling with collection baskets
Group 8
Develop new ways to recycle
Group 10
Recycle efforts city-wide
Group 14, 20,
Mandate and enforce recycling throughout the city – residential as well as commercial; expand the list of recyclables; consider alternative systems such as “pay per bag” for refuse collection that would encourage more recycling, waste reduction and composting (Seattle model); place recycling bins in downtown next to trash bins; and institute year-round compost pickup (see page 18 for remaining) Review the City-wide exemptions – the exemption of a commercial or residential who has existing private contract for pickup is a shortcoming, there is a lack of “curbside” services in condominiums/apt.
Appendix
Benefits of Trees
The urban forest provides us with many long-term environmental, social and economic benefits:
A single large tree can release up to 400 gallons of water into the atmosphere each day.
Tree foliage filters dust and and can help remove toxic pollutants from the atmosphere. The foliage
captures and removes a wide range of smog-producing compounds such as ozone, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides, airborne ammonia and some sulphur dioxide.
Tees help to cool and freshen the air we breathe. Not only do they moderate the air temperature, but
through photosynthesis, their leaves take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen for us to breath. A
single, fully grown sycamore tree can transform 26 pounds of carbon dioxide into life-giving
oxygen every year.
Trees reflect our natural heritage and provide a sense of place.
Tees improve our aesthetic environment, absorb noise, are traffic calming, reduce stress and crime,
and create a peaceful place to relax or socialize.
Trees intercept rainwater aiding soil absorption for gradual release into streams; preventing flooding,
filtering toxins, and extending water availability into dry months when it’s most needed.
Trees cleanse ground water as it filters through their root systems.
Both urban and rural forests are home to a wealth of wildlife which depends on trees for survival; providing shelter, nesting material and fruits, nuts, and flowers.
Trees improve property values. The addition of trees can increase property values by 10 – 20%.
Water from roots is drawn up to the leaves where it evaporates. The conversion from water to gas
absorbs huge amounts of heat cooling hot city air.
Trees help offset the "heat island" effect resulting from too much glass and concrete. Urban
neighborhoods with mature trees can be up to 11 degrees cooler in summer heat than those without
trees.
Trees and shrubs slow down rainwater, helping runoff to soak into the soil at a slow and even rate,
relieving the pressure on our storm sewers and allowing for the renewal of ground water.
One acre of trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people every day.
One acre of trees absorbs enough carbon dioxide per year to match that emitted by driving a car
26,000 miles.
40% of prescripition drugs dispensed in the U.S. have active ingredients derived from plants, animals
or microorganisms, many of them from forests.
By preserving and protecting trees on private property, on our streets and in our parks, we will
continue to help renew and enhance our urban forest for future generations.
Community Organizations Dedicated to Trees and Urban and Rural Forests:
Appalachian Mountain Club
Audubon Society of New Hampshire
National Tree Trust
Nature Conservancy, New Hampshire Field Office
New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands
New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
Tree City, USA – National Arbor Day Foundation Program
UNH Cooperative Extension Ecological Reserve System Project
LANDSCAPE PRACTICES
Moving from Conventional Landscape
>>>>>
To a More Sustainable Landscape
Designs disconnected from natural systems >>>> Design based on native ecosystems
Low biodiversity >>>>> High biodiversity
Indiscriminate use of exotic materials >>>>> Preferential use of native materials
Dominance of high maintenance lawn areas (mowing, raking, liming, fertilizing, irrigating, aerating, amending, applying pesticides, dethatching, overseeding) >>>> Reduced lawn areas, utilizing more sustainable practice
Reliance on pesticides >>>>> Integrated pest management
Rapid water collection and conveyance >>>>> Water detention, infiltration, and filtration
Overuse of impervious surfaces >>>>> Preferential use of permeable surfaces
Soil degradation (erosion, loss of organic matter, compaction, pollution) >>>>> Soil conservation and restoration
Removal of organic matter (lawn clippings, leaves) >>>>> On-site conservation of organic matter (mulching of leaves, grass clippings)
Reliance on high-input bark mulch >>>>> Use of groundcovers and other natural mulches
Degradation of vegetation & soils during construction >>>>> Stringent protection of existing vegetation & soils during construction
Reliance on rock salt for snow & ice removal >>>>> Reduction in reliance on rock salt by use of low-impact substitutes
“One size fits all” landscape >>>>> Strong sense of place
Some Characteristics of a Sustainable Landscape
- the use of endemic plant community models;
- relocation of plant materials threatened by land development;
- use of plant species which are adapted to the region, cold hardy and rugged, with particular emphasis on the use of natives;
- sound management of exotic plant and animal species which are aggressively invasive;
- minimal site disturbance during new installations and preferential re-use of existing plant materials; and
- careful selection, siting, and proper installation of new plant material, including proper after-care, to reduce such problems as transplant shock, long-term stress, on-going maintenance, and mortality.
Sustainable Landscape Group
1 US Census Bureau, Census data summaries, 1950-2000.
2 Thorne, Sarah and Dan Sundquist, New Hampshire’s Vanishing Forest: Conversion, Fragmentation and Parcelization in the Granite State, SPHNF 2001
3 Thorne, Sarah, New Hampshire Everlasting, An Initiative to Conserve Our Quality-of-Life Working Proposal, SPNHF 2001
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