Funding Source: Recipient of the 2012-2013 Marsh Institute Geller Sustainability Grant at Clark University Mission The overall mission of this proposed action research project is to promote awareness of edible, sustainable landscapes and permaculture in the urban environment. The team will implement this by creating a model permaculture garden on campus as well as developing resources for future sustainable landscaping projects. The garden will reduce water use and maintenance through selection of plants that are adapted to our region while exposing the community to this type of landscape. Description This project seeks to promote awareness of edible, sustainable landscapes and permaculture in the urban environment. The team will implement this by creating a model permaculture garden on campus. The garden will reduce water use and maintenance through selection of plants that are adapted to our region while exposing the community to this type of landscape. The primary objective of this project is to establish a plot of edible, sustainable landscaping on campus based on the principles of permaculture. The garden will create and promote awareness of edible, sustainable landscaping and local food production on campus and in the urban community. Establishment of this plot will reduce water use and maintenance while improving the aesthetic and ecological value at this site. Finally, we hope to create a framework for future sustainable landscaping efforts at Clark and in the community.

1. EDIBLE SUSTAINABLE
LANDSCAPING
Ma#
Huc k
J e nk ins
M a c e do
D r e
G ia lt our idis
Hoang
D ao
The Sustainable University
Dec 11, 2012

2. INTRODUCTION
What is edible landscaping ?
v Native plantings
v Replacement of grass with
more sustainable
alternatives
v Provides local food
v Provides habitat and food for
animals

3. INTRODUCTION, CONTINUED..
Why Permaculture Design?
v Holistic, Sustainable design
system and Philosophy
v Reduced water,
maintenance, and nutrient
requirments
v System ecology
v Evolving design

4. INTRODUCTION, CONTINUED..
What is the role of edible landscaping in sustainable
development?
v Transforms nutrient poor areas
into vibrant habitat
v Energy and water savings
v Connects people with local food
systems
v Changes the paradigm of urban
land use

5. METHODS
Design a plot of Understand
edible attitudes and
landscaping opinions
Secondary
Face to face
data
interviews
collection
Data
Field trips
analyzing
Area
selection
Plant
selection
Soil testing

6. Result and Discussion
Primary Research Results
Codes
Label
Grounded
Density
Education
EDU
19
10
Collaborative COP
17
3
Partnership
Sustainability
SUS
17
9
Impacts
IMP
12
2
Landscape Design
LANP
10
2
Challenges
CHAL
7
9
Project Management
PMT
7
9
Water Management
WMT
6
7
Plant Selection
PLS
5
7
Categories
Label
Grounded
Density
Sustainability
SUS
23
5
Landscape Design
LANP
22
5
Collaborative COP
20
5
Partnership
Education
EDU
19
4
Challenges
CHAL
19
5
Access to Resources
ACR
10
4

7. Result and Discussion, Continued.....
Relational Network Analysis of Themes

8. THEMES QUOTATIONS
“Hosting a landscape design contest is a great way to raise
awareness, recruit volunteers and facilitate the process of
LANDSCAPE developing a design for the plot” (Interview response from a
DESIGN professor at Clark).
“Sustainable landscaping is important to promote local organic
food systems, improved nutrition and food systems, and societal
EDUCATION awareness” (Interview response from a professor at Clark).
“Marsh Institute could provide space for work and internship.
Interns working on the project could use the office spaces for
COLLABORATIVE their work. Someone in the department might be interested in
PARTNERSHIP doing research related to edible landscaping on
campus” (Interview response from a professor at Clark).
“Funding is a major challenge. Clark relies on student initiative
because staff are always busy. Students have short time period
CHALLENGES studying, so it is difficult to maintain the participation with big
project that need a long time to finish” (Interview response
from a professor at Clark).

9. Proposed Plot of Edible Landscaping
Why is this plot selected?
v Difficult to mow and maintain
v Grass dominated
v Water by a sprinkler system
v High visibility

10. PLOT TENTATIVE DESIGN

11. PLANTS
Bushes
Amelanchier lamarckii Blueberry bushes
Viburnum spp. Rosa rugosa
Herbs
Anise-
Garden Butterfly bush Garlic Monarda Kale Nasturtium
Hyssop Mint
sage

12. RECOMMENDATIONS
¡ Continue networking with
stakeholders
§ Other campus garden groups
§ Physical plant
§ Office of sustainability
¡ Secure continued funding
¡ Attract more students
through community
outreach
§ Organize a landscape design
contest