Responsible Land Development

The prospect of being accountable in our building practices is a daunting one. From assessing environmental impacts and accounting for wildlife needs, to utilizing green building products and techniques in order to preserve as much of the land’s biodiversity and native plants as possible, there is an endless list of ways in which you can lessen your impact. Figuring out how best to utilize these resources can be intimidating and a little overwhelming.

But there are many simple ways to practice responsible land use and development. Implementing a permaculture plan that works with the land will produce healthy and thriving habitat that supports wildlife. Utilizing wildlife safe fencing and making certain you leave migration corridors open ensures the flow of travel across the land. Protecting and preserving the existing waterways ensures that both you and the wildlife have a clean, viable source of water.

By using upcycled wood and recycled steel, you can give new life to old materials, saving them from the landfill. Renewable and locally sourced materials are also a good way to lessen the impact of building. High R-value insulation can cut energy costs and utilizing geothermal, solar, and wind energy can give you both a smaller carbon footprint and peace of mind.

Planning your project carefully and thinking critically about a compact and efficient layout that maximizes open space and minimizes land disturbance is essential. Knowing your local land use planning rules and zoning regulations can help prevent unnecessary waste and expenditures, and collaborating with professionals whose business is green building can offer access to systems and materials that support a low-impact, healthy environment.

There are a wide variety of eco-friendly products out there, including cob, cork, straw bales, and bamboo. Hempcrete and ashcrete are good alternatives to traditional concrete, and companies are recycling rubber, plastic, steel dust, and silica to create new building materials from waste. Clay brick and timbercrete are also sustainable building solutions.

Making the choice to build responsibly doesn’t have to be difficult. The market of sustainable, environmentally friendly materials grows by the minute, and companies that specialize in green building are popping up every day. Meanwhile, the cost of building sustainably is coming down, while the cost of traditional construction continues to climb.

A happy, healthy home that honors the land and the Life it supports is possible. It just takes a little forethought, a little ingenuity, and the determination to lessen your personal impact.