Edible Low-Maintenance

Landscaping at Clark University By

Andrea Gialtouridis, Jenkins Macedo,

Hoang Dao, Matthew Huck

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Core Problem

3. Objectives

4. Benefits

5. Challenges

6. Literature Review

7. Strategic Approach

8. Methods

9. Site Diagram

10. Timeline & Cost Benefit Analysis

11. Future Plan

Introduction

What is edible landscaping ?

Using native plants to

transform the campus

environment

Replacement of grass with

more sustainable

alternatives

Provide food

Habitat for animals

Introduction, Continued..

Why Permaculture Design?

Holistic, Sustainable design system and Philosophy

The deign principles of permaculture were derived from the science of system

ecology and study pre-industrial examples of sustainable land use

Use of companion planting to increase ecosystem health while decreasing

maintenance, energy, and water requirements of an area

"Permaculture designs evolve over time by taking into account plant

relationships and ecosystem function and can become extremely complex

systems that produce a high density of food and materials with minimal input"

Introduction, Continued..

What is the role of edible landscaping in sustainable

development?

Transform nutrient poor areas into vibrant habitat

Energy and water savings

Connects people with local food systems

Paradigm change in the way we conceptualize urban green

spaces

Increases and reinforces biodiversity

Core Problem

Grass landscaping is unnsustainable

Grass monocultures upset the nutrient

Large areas of turf were recently created by Clark

University

Lots of human labor and input of treated city water

required

Leads to soil imbalance and limits biodiversity

Industrial farming has shifted food production out of

the public consciousness and promotes

unsustainable monoculture practices

Objectives

To establish a plot of edible, sustainable garden on campus based on the

principles of permaculture.

To create and promote awareness of edible, sustainable landscaping and

local food production on campus and in the community.

To reduce water use and maintenance of a small plot on campus while

improving the aesthetic and ecological value at this site.

To create an information database for future sustainable landscaping

efforts at Clark and in the community.

Benefits

Reduces energy and water consumption

Reduces maintenance requirements

Reduces overall pollution associated with the

transportation and production of food products

Contribute to a diverse and healthy habitat

Provide opportunity for fun and education

Increase the aesthetic appeal of campus

Challenges

Finding funding to purchase plants and other landscaping

materials

Careful planning – like all plants, food-producing plants

have specific growing requirements.

Site design - selection of plants and pattern of planting to

maximize ecosystem health

Coordinating our campus and community resources

Weather and climate

Literature Review

Conduct a literature review

permaculture and edible landscaping

We will review articles, academic journals,

books and related projects.

Methods A. Primary Research

Population

Sampling frame

a) Experts, staff and faculty

b) Sample size ?????

Sampling Strategy

Purposive Sampling (nonprobability sampling)

Data Collection

Qualitative Research

a) Informal-Interviews

b) Field trips to related programs on college campuses

Ethical Considerations

Course IRB approval

Time Limitations

Data Analysis

Unit of Analysis

a) Edible, sustainable landscaping

Atlas.ti Version 17

Methods, Continued...

B. Action Research

Site Selection

Design process and drafting

Assess and allocate resources and funding

Acquire approval for project implementation

Coordinate with students and community to execute

project objectives

Site Diagram

Timeline & CBA Week # Date Activities and Description Cost Benefit

6

15-21 October Literature review and background section

1. Landscaping -

>$1000

2. Volunteer

Labor

3. Loss of turn

4. Transportation of

compost (various)

a) Habitat creation

b) Water savings

c) Maintenance savings

d) Local food production, security and

sovereignty

e) Energy savings

f) Aesthetic improvement

g) Increased biodiversity and ecosystem

services

h) Increase awareness of healthy food

systems

i) Harvested produce from the landscape

will be used to prepare meals for students.

j) Decrease GHG emissions through

sustainable practices

k) Reduce landscape maintenance on

campus by Physical Plant

l) Reduce amount of water use towards

irrigation

7

22-28 October

Survey the plot

Begin working on design

Look for focus group contacts

Identify trees for our plot

Work on midterm presentation

8

29 Oct-Nov. 4

Begin talking with focus group

Work on plot design

Field trip to UMass

Work on the paper

9

Nov 5-11

Find compost and other materials

Work on the paper

Field Trip (Wesley University)

Talking with focus group

Work on plot design

10

Nov 12-18

Work on paper

Talking with focus group

Continue work on plot design

11

Nov 19-25

Finalize design

Planting trees if possible

Get final approval

12 26 Nov-Dec 2 Work on final paper and presentation

13 3-9 Dec Depending on funding start preparing nursery for spring

cultivation of edibles

Future Plan

Continue to consult experts

Field trip to edible landscaping at other colleges

Await fundings approval

Complete the design for the proposed plot

Awaits project approval from campus authorities

Conduct informal interviews with experts

Complete data analysis and draft first report

Complete final report for submission and publication

Special Thanks

Dr. Stephen McCauley

Jenny Isler

Sharon Bort

Chip