Principal Aims of Organic Land Care
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. |
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