Humans are an inseparable part of the environment.

Our decisions affect the well-being of the natural world, which in turn affects human well-being. 

This is known as the global feedback loop.  

The Sustainable Sites Initiative (the Initiative) was founded in 2005 and is an interdisciplinary partnership led by:

• American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (LBJWC)

• United States Botanic Garden (USBG) 

The Initiative defines sustainability as “design, construction, operations, and maintenance practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” 

These guidelines are utilized by individuals who

• design

• construct

• operate

• maintain

The Initiative’s guidelines and benchmarks are designed with the idea that healthy ecosystems provide goods and services of benefit to humans and all other life. 

As sustainability’s pioneer, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland said, “the ‘environment’ is where we all live; and ‘development’ is what we all do in attempting to improve our lot within that abode. The two are inseparable.”