Urban Conservation
Much may be heard about “Urban Conservation” in the coming months. It's an effort to bring to the forefront many of the conservation practices adopted in rural areas but adapting them to an urban setting.
Namely, people want to take care of where they live. If they have any kind of outdoor space they would like to do something with it. Something affordable and easy to maintain is a concern. Folks want to know options and do it correctly the first time.
Recognizing in working with outside spaces there an many concepts shared in rural areas that can be applied but in different ways in urban settings. For instance, soil erosion in the countryside is managed with good grass cover in pastures. On cropland, terraces, waterways, reduced and no-till keeps soil erosion in check. In urban areas the parallel is, silt fences and sediment basins and surface mulches to name a few to contain sediment as construction projects proceeds. In both the countryside and urban thought is needed in how to place these vital practices to make them effective.
In urban areas, the adoption of “Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management” is desired much like in rural areas. A heavy dose of fertilizer and insecticide could be done or layers of management that lessons the need for those products usually works better. In addition, the integrated approach has a significant impact in safe-guarding water quality.
So just what as some of the conservation practices (all be it on a small scale) can be applied in an urban area?
As conservation work in urban areas progresses the opportunity exists to educate the public about conservation opportunities and where their food comes from. Adopting natural resource practices is important. Repeated maintenance of these practices is necessary for continued success.
Namely, people want to take care of where they live. If they have any kind of outdoor space they would like to do something with it. Something affordable and easy to maintain is a concern. Folks want to know options and do it correctly the first time.
Recognizing in working with outside spaces there an many concepts shared in rural areas that can be applied but in different ways in urban settings. For instance, soil erosion in the countryside is managed with good grass cover in pastures. On cropland, terraces, waterways, reduced and no-till keeps soil erosion in check. In urban areas the parallel is, silt fences and sediment basins and surface mulches to name a few to contain sediment as construction projects proceeds. In both the countryside and urban thought is needed in how to place these vital practices to make them effective.
In urban areas, the adoption of “Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management” is desired much like in rural areas. A heavy dose of fertilizer and insecticide could be done or layers of management that lessons the need for those products usually works better. In addition, the integrated approach has a significant impact in safe-guarding water quality.
So just what as some of the conservation practices (all be it on a small scale) can be applied in an urban area?
- Mulching in gardens, landscaping or when planting grass in a new area.
- Planting trees for shade, fruit, wildlife.
- Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management involving a mixed approach to achieve goal.
- Composting to improve soil tilth and provide some or all nutrient needs in a garden.
- Developing an area filled with a variety of native, perennial and naturally reseeding flowering plants.
As conservation work in urban areas progresses the opportunity exists to educate the public about conservation opportunities and where their food comes from. Adopting natural resource practices is important. Repeated maintenance of these practices is necessary for continued success.