C4.6: Conserve and Use Native Plants

(3-6 points)

INTENT

Foster habitat for native wildlife that is necessary for plant reproduction by conserving or installing plants that are native to the site’s ecoregion.

REQUIREMENTS

• Conserve existing appropriate native plants and/or install new native plants that, according to the SITES Native Plants Calculator, equal a native plant score of at least:
  • 20 percent total native plant score 3 points
  • 40 percent total native plant score 4 points
  • 60 percent total native plant score 6 points
• Conserve a percentage of the site’s existing appropriate native plants in Vegetation and Soil Protection Zones (VSPZs) (see Pre-Design P2.3: Designate and communicate VSPZs).
  • The requirements apply to existing appropriate native plants as identified in the site assessment (see Pre-Design P2.2: Conduct a pre-design site assessment). This option is limited to conserving individual native plants in situ, not ones that are growing within a preserved native plant community (see Soil+Veg C4.7: Conserve and restore native plant communities).
  • Conservation calculations are measured by surface area of existing native plant area.
• Install new appropriate native plants to equal a percentage of the site’s final vegetated area
  • New native plant calculations are measured by surface area of final vegetated area, using estimated vegetated cover within 10 years of installation.
• Ensure the section of the site assessment (see Pre-Design P2.2: Conduct a pre-design site assessment) is complete, shows existing vegetated area, and distinguishes which plants are existing native species.
• Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable site maintenance) is complete and describes the on-going management activities to protect the integrity of the VSPZs.

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

• Native plants can be used to express multiple styles of design.
• On sites with existing native vegetation, design the site to preserve native plants, where possible.
• On previously developed sites, use local and regional governmental agencies, consultants, educational facilities, and native plant societies as resources for the selection of native plants appropriate for the site.
• Consult qualified professionals (e.g., an arborist, biologist, environmental scientist) to conduct a vegetation assessment and identify appropriate plant species for the site.

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