Conservation Landscaping
Updated: October 17, 2023

What is a Conservation Landscape?

A conservation landscape is a garden that improves water quality, promotes and preserves native species, and provides wildlife habitat. Conservation landscaping replaces hard surfaces or turf grass of a traditional lawn with native plants. There are many social and environmental benefits that result from installing a conservation landscape.

The eight essential elements below represent the practice of conservation landscaping:

1. Designed to benefit the environment and function efficiently and aesthetically for human use and well-being;

2. Uses locally native plants that are appropriate for site conditions;

3. Institutes a management plan for the removal of existing invasive plants and the prevention of future nonnative plant invasions;

4. Provides habitat for wildlife;

5. Promotes healthy air quality and minimizes air pollution;

6. Conserves and cleans water;

7. Promotes healthy soils;

8. Managed to conserve energy, reduce waste, and eliminates or minimizes the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Resources

UMD Extension EBR-0370 Conservation Landscaping