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FEATURE

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING

PROGRAMME

Joanne Hilliar of Landscape Design Consultants International has developed a Sustainable
Landscaping Programme, which conveys an understanding of how to recognise, practice
and create self-sustaining landscapes.

he has run the course in Mauritius, the planet, and to preserve these spaces; can contribute to maintaining this. Each
adapting the material specifically • to provide practical information on how grouping of species has a different genetic
Sfor that country, and it will shortly to make a difference, even a small one, make-up to cope with a specific range
be available in South Africa for broad in our gardens, communities and in the of circumstances such as climate, food
application within the green industry. landscapes that we manage; supply, habitat, defence and movement.
To be launched early in 2021, it is • to plant more indigenous and endemic These aspects are discussed throughout
specifically designed for management and self-sustaining vegetation in order to the programme, becoming a landscaping
supervisory teams. encourage wildlife, save water and model for the ongoing management of
enhance climatic variances by creating spaces. With sustainability, soil structures
When converting landscapes, people need micro-climates within the landscapes and eco systems rich in diversity stand a
to practice sustainable landscaping and being managed; and far better chance of recovery from extreme
the programme will guide them in their • to ensure that landscapes contribute to climatic changes or degradation.
understanding of this, ensuring that South the restoration of the natural ecology in
African landscapes become more self- any specific area. Original plant species are far more pest-
sustaining in the long term. resistant than their hybrid counterparts,
The concept and value of preserv- making it much easier to work with the
Purpose of the course ing biodiversity hardier species as soldier plants within the
landscape.
The purpose of the course is: Biodiversity can be described as the wide
• to create an awareness of the struggle diversity of plant, animal and insect species Biodiversity therefore adds to the quality
between nature and man for space on on earth; with healthy eco systems, we of life, providing aesthetically pleasing

Endemics growing on a beach in Mauritius Excellence in using endemic shrubs and understorey planting

8 Landscape SA • Issue 95 2020