Organic Land Care is the design, construction and maintenance of landscapes according to the practices prescribed in this document. Organic Land Care excludes the commercial production of food and fiber, and focuses predominantly on ornamental and recreational landscapes, and predominantly in urban areas.

Organic Land Care aims to achieve its overall landscape goals through the use of practices and products that preserve and enhance the health of complete ecosystems, and the quality of life within urban environments.

The principal aims of Organic Land Care are:

a) To work with natural systems and processes rather than seeking to dominate them;

b) To encourage and enhance biological cycles within landscapes, involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals;

c) To optimize and maintain the long term biological activity of soils;

d) To practice the responsible use of water, and the protection of water resources;

e) To optimize air quality and circulation in the soil, water and atmosphere in support of all life forms;

f) To use, as far as possible, renewable, biodegradable and recycled resources from local sources and to minimize waste;

g) To work as much as possible within closed systems with regard to organic matter and nutrient cycling;

h) To avoid or minimize all forms of pollution in the establishment and care of landscapes;

i) To ensure biological diversity within urban landscapes;

j) To encourage the creation and protection of native plant and wildlife habitats;

k) To consider the wider social and ecological impacts of urban landscapes and the practices and products used to create and maintain them.