Title
Boise State University Landscape Applications Towards Energy Conservation
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
4-12-2010
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Scott Lowe and Dr. John Gardner
Abstract
Technology and innovation has allowed humans to direct and manipulate resources to create ideal landscapes in non-ideal places. This is exemplified by lush, green golf courses in the dry Arizona desert. These exotic water and energy intensive practices are pervasive throughout society. But is this model good for resource diminished areas? This study looks at BSU’s opportunity to implement landscape design techniques that will save time, water, energy consumption, and pesticide use. We consider the effects of evaporative cooling that plants, trees, and grasses have on surrounding buildings; the type of plants, shrubs, grasses, and trees which reduce the use of natural resources at BSU; carbon emission attenuation from lawn mowers, weed eaters, and blowers; effective policy and design practices that will enable success; and the achievement of aesthetic beauty coupled with intelligent design. This study concludes that BSU can reduce its environmental impact while conserving its monetary expenditure.