LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Contents Working with Nature Why Landscape Ecology? Arboretum Master Plan Arboretum Corridor Northland College Master Plan County Park Master Plan Natural Resources Inventory and Management Plan Arboretum Sedge Meadow Restoration Forest Restoration Wetland Creation Stormwater BMP Manual Rainwater Gardens Ecological Neighborhood Lakescaping Book Demonstration Garden and Education Barr Can Help

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Working with Nature

Were a conflicted culture. We go to great lengths to live close to nature, yet typically maintain perfectly groomed lawns. We value clean, clear water, but dont realize we send dirty rainwater directly to lakes via storm sewers. We want to see and hear songbirds, but to accommodate our lifestyles, we mow and pave their habitat away.

Creating habitat and natural beauty adds value to public projects.

How do we reconcile these conflicting desires? The landscape architects and ecologists at Barr Engineering know how to maintain ecological integrity while providing the amenities weve all come to expect. The key is to work with nature to accommodate peoples needs. When Barr designers begin a project, we first seek a deep understanding of the site and the processes at work therehow soil, light, water, and air interact with plants and animals. We also determine how people are affecting the area and what they desire from it. Successful projects occur when this understanding is incorporated with an intimate knowledge of the sites ecological identity. The results: Clean lakes and stable shorelines. Lush rainwater gardens instead of expensive storm sewer systems. Soothing, green urban environments with shaded parking lots and blooming workplaces. Barr knows that the human influence on nature is enormous. But we never forget that it influences us, too. When our landscape design projects do the right thing for the environment as well as for people, we increase the chances that nature will in turn do right by us.

Landscape ecology-based design incorporates a deep understanding of ecological function.

Nature need not be relegated to parks and preserves; it can enrich our everyday lives.

Why Landscape Ecology?

Water management projects often compromise ecological quality and visual interest.

Neat landscapes tend to occur at the expense of wildlife habitat.

Native landscapes provide many ecological benefits, but are generally seen as too messy in the built environment.

A landscape ecology-based approach to design and land planning results in: Lower maintenance and less chemical use Decreased costs and increased plant reliability Significant wildlife gain A naturally beautiful landscape A richer living environment

Barr integrates ecology and design to create environmentally sound, beautiful landscapes.

Arboretum Master Plan

Client Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota

The 800-acre Carleton College Arboretum contains a diverse array of prairie, wetland, oak savanna, and forests along southern Minnesotas Cannon River. Fred Rozumalski designed a master plan for restoring this valuable collection of plant communities and accommodating visitor use of the area. The plan sought to resolve conflicts created by the expanding campus and address such issues as future expansion, trail systems, and parking. The colleges goal of creating an enjoyable place for people coincided with its desire to educate visitors about the sensitive ecosystem. The plan answered these goals by designing attractive entry points, thoughtful planting plans, and interpretive signage. The 20-year phased master plan is well under way.

Services Environmental inventory Cultural site analysis Plant community restoration plan Restoration techniques assistance Negotiated protection of natural areas

Oak savanna restoration

Arboretum Corridor
Client Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota

Services Site analysis Conceptual design Plant community restoration plan Meeting facilitation and communications

Following work on a master plan for Cowling Arboretum, Barr undertook a project focused on the strip of land connecting the upper and lower segments of the property. Barr designed an ecological corridor for wildlife movement that would also accommodate pedestrians. Barr recommended reinforcing the corridors integrity by establishing lowmaintenance native vegetation in the adjacent recreation center, including oak savanna between ballfields, at entry points and throughout parking lots. A pedestrian circulation plan features interpretive nodes to educate visitors about the natural and cultural history of the site.

SITE CONTEXT The plant communities concept, right, included both corridor and surrounding recreation areas. Below, the corridor master plan.

LOWER ARB

RECREATIONAL FIELDS IN OAK SAVANNA

UPPER ARB CORRIDOR

LOWER ARB

OAK SAVANNA PRAIRIE

The corridor links the lower and upper arboretum for the benefit of both wildlife and pedestrians.

INTERPRETIVE NODE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS (TYP) TALLGRASS BUFFER AT LAKESHORE RECREATIONAL FIELDS IN OAK SAVANNA

MOWN TRAIL (TYP)

ARB GATEWAY SIGNAGE

FOREST EDGE INTERPRETIVE NODE SUCCESSIONAL FOREST

UPPER ARB

ECOLOGICAL CORRIDOR

Northland College Master Plan

Client Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin
Services Landscape master plan Building siting assistance Stormwater management plan and infiltration system Grading plan Planting plans; native plant community restoration Native plant nursery design and propagation strategy Research and education program development Site analysis Facilitation of consensus-building sessions

When Northland College decided its campus should reflect the ethic of its environmental education program, it hired Barrs interdisciplinary landscape architecture team for a multitude of campus design initiatives. Following brainstorming sessions with students, faculty, and staff, Barr integrated their preferences for campus appearance and function into master and site plans for the campus. Barrs design for the campus: reintroduces native northwoods plant communities throughout the campus while preserving a neat, clean image offers research opportunities and outdoor classrooms introduces an above-ground stormwater management system mimicking the natural depression and swale systems of the region

Stormwater is designed to flow into meadows that mimic this naturally occurring wetland near campus.

provides bold ribbons of beautiful native vegetation as a recurring theme, framing open lawns and helping unify the campus varied settings

Stormwater meadows framed by brownstone retaining walls outside the new Center for Science and Environment

The master plan

County Park Master Plan

Client Ramsey County Parks and Recreation

Tony Schmidt County Park is best known for its quarter mile of shoreline and beach on Lake Johanna. The parks 208 acres also include extensive natural areas and topography that varies from gently rolling to steep. As project designer, Carmen Simonet developed a comprehensive trail system for the entire park and a master plan of the south end focusing on Lake Johanna recreational facilities.

Wetland exploration is provided by boardwalks throughout the park.

A multi-use recreational trail, featuring a boardwalk, observation areas, and trailheads takes advantage of the linear nature of the park to create a link in the regional trail system. It also connects neighborhoods to local schools, the lake, and other nearby parks.
Lake Johanna is a focus of this park master plan.

Services Master plan Project report Site analysis Presentations Cost estimates

The south end master plan proposes beach enhancements, shoreline stabilization, improved boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic shelters, and play areas. In addition, the plan promotes ecological integrity through restoration of oak savanna and wetlands and infiltration of stormwater runoff from parking lots.

The Oak Knoll area features a gazebo shelter, fishing pier, and native plantings accentuating the shoreline.

The Lake Johanna beach area features a new beach house with shaded deck, bench-lined boardwalk, and handicap ramp access to water.

Natural Resources Inventory and Management Plan

Client City of Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Services Plant community surveys Ecological management plans Document writing, design and production

Barr researched, wrote, and designed a management document to help the city of Eden Prairie preserve, restore, and set priorities for its seven varied conservation areas. After conducting plant community surveys for each site, Barr compiled exhaustive species lists and created GIS maps detailing plant communities and their extent of degradation. A summary of management priorities and specific management recommendations for each site accompany the lists and maps. The overall strategy: to preserve the highest quality areas, such as the Riley Creek Conservation area, by managing invasive species and eliminating erosion, and The publication contains site management then move to improve diversity and plans, including summary pages like this, reduce invasives at less intact sites. for Eden Prairies seven conservation In addition to information specific to Eden Prairie, the document offers illustrated facts sheets on eight common invasive plants to help the city educate volunteer groups as they participate in the restoration efforts. The next project phase is a trail corridor connecting these sites along Purgatory Creek.
areas.

GIS maps like this one detail existing plant communities and level of degradation as well as a restoration plan for each site.

Arboretum Sedge Meadow Restoration

Client Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Chanhassen, Minnesota

Funders Minnehaha Creek Watershed Association Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources

Working as a Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota, Fred Rozumalski designed and supervised the installation of a 14-acre sedge meadow on Arboretum grounds in Chanhassen. The project included plant community restoration, Arboretum interpretive sign interpretive trail, signage and boardwalk design, and development of a long-term research program. Following invasive weed eradication and breaking existing drain tile to restore the site hydrology, the basin was planted with 200 pounds of wetland seed collected over two seasons and 70,000 seedlings propagated at the Arboretum. The project received a design merit award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1999.

Services Site analysis Master plan Planting design Installation supervision Research strategy formulation Interpretive sign development Wetland management plan Seminar presentation
Over 100 different species were planted.

Breaking drain tile prepared the site for sedge meadow planting.

A 600-foot boardwalk allows access for research and education.

Forest Restoration
Client General Mills Plymouth, Minnesota

For a disturbed area at General Mills Plymouth research facility, Fred Rozumalski designed and supervised a planting that will allow an oak forest to gradually regenerate. By planting early successional species of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, Rozumalski created the environmental conditions necessary for native oaks and other vegetation to move in from an adjacent forest. In addition to being much more economical than replanting a woodland edge from scratch, this successional approach encourages the retention of valuable local genotypes.

Local oaks naturally recolonize in this successional planting. Aspens protect a woodland edge.

Services Site analysis Restoration design Installation supervision Long-term management plan
Lawn was removed and seedlings were planted. Five years after planting, forest structure is forming.

Wetland Creation
Client City of St. Paul, Minnesota

The city of St. Paul commissioned Barr Engineering to design a wetland park as part of a wildlife corridor that could eventually connect Lake Phalen to the Mississippi River.

Services Hydrologic modeling Geologic and soils interpretation Grading plan Park master plan Plant community design and specifications Maintenance manual
The deteriorating shopping center was built upon a filled Ames lake.

The restoration includes a wetland and amphitheater in place of the building and parking lot.

The goal was to create a strong link to nature for urban dwellers.

The Phalen Shopping Center was built in the early 1960s on a filled wetland known as Ames Lake. In 1998, the crumbling buildings were demolished to make way for a restored wetland and neighborhood park. Barrs primary tasks in designing the area included restoring hydrologic function to the recreated basin, reconstructing wetland soil profiles and introducing a diversity of native plants. Barr also designed a traditional park to frame the wetland habitat, create play space, and provide a transition to the surrounding urban neighborhood. Finally, Barr specified a longterm maintenance routine that is critical to the success of this urban habitat restoration.

Master plan of the wetland park by Joan Nassauer

Stormwater BMP Manual

Client Metropolitan Council, St. Paul

After culling information on stormwater BMPs from government agencies, research institutions and municipalities around the country, Barr staff wrote and designed the 380-page Minnesota Urban Small Sites BMP
This design for an infiltration basin is one of hundreds of examples included in the BMP manual.

Services Compilation of extensive national BMP bibliography Research on 40 stormwater BMPs Coordination with 13-member management and review team Report writing, design and production for both print and web versions

Manual. The fully illustrated publication provides

detailed guidance to municipalities and developers of sites 5 acres or smaller. It includes: Detailed information on 40 stormwater BMPs, encompassing both runoff pollution prevention and stormwater treatment techniques. Each BMP section includes a concise description of the practice, a list of advantages and limitations, and requirements for design, construction and maintenance. Chapters on factors influencing BMP selection (including hydrology, pollutants and climate) and step-by-step methods for selecting appropriate BMPs. Discussion of local and national water management regulations A list of local examples of BMPs and sources for model stormwater ordinances. The manual, funded by the Metropolitan Council along with five Twin Cities municipalities and watershed management organizations, is available as a printed document and on the web at http://www. metrocouncil.org/environment/ watershed/bmp/manual.htm.

The manual includes 40 detailed, illustrated primers on specific best management practices. Each discusses the methods advantages, limitations, and requirements for design, construction, and maintenance.

Rainwater Gardens
Clients Northland College Upper Swede Hollow Neighborhood Association

A leader in ecologically sound stormwater management techniques, Barr has developed a unique expertise in rainwater gardens and other stormwater treatment practices. In designs like those pictured here, stormwater becomes a resource to be enjoyed rather than a nuisance to dispose of. Constructed rainwater gardens are strategically placed to catch runoff from roads, parking lots, driveways, and roofs. Deep rooted plants are used to facilitate infiltration, absorb materials, and create bird and butterfly habitat.

Services Hydrologic analysis Site design and engineering Planting plans Community education programs Implementation supervision

First year after planting

Rainwater gardens can be used on small sites or as the main technique in a larger system, allowing a neighborhood, say, to forego expensive curb and gutter. The gardens are excellent for use in A neat edge and pedestrian access highly visible areas, where they not only manage runoff effectively, but add visual amenity. With a team of expert hydrologists, engineers, and landscape ecologists, Barr is ideally suited to design rainwater gardens that are both functional and beautiful.

Deep-rooted plants facilitate infiltration.

This rainwater garden serves as a neighborhood amenity.

Ecological Neighborhood
Client City of Marshall, Minnesota

Funder The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources

Services Site analysis Guided public focus groups Master planning

The city of Marshall has struggled with repeated flooding from the Redwood River. Funded by a research grant from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, Fred Rozumalski, with Professor Joan Nassauer of the University Rainwater garden of Minnesota Department of Landscape Architecture, designed a residential neighborhood that would help ameliorate downstream flooding. Their approach was to take cues from the regional landscapeonce dotted with prairie pothole wetlands. In lieu of underground storm sewers, Rozumalski and Nassauer designed an above-ground drainage system and stormwater wetlands, to be built wherever possible on wetland soils. The design not only manages stormwater, but recreates lost wildlife habitat and provides residents with beautiful natural amenities.

Each lot is a sanctuary for birds and butterflies and allows for stormwater cleaning and infiltration.

Restored historic wetlands become an amenity within the ecological neighborhood.

Lakescaping Book
Fred Rozumalski, of Barr Engineering, recently co-authored a book titled Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality, which promotes establishing native vegetation along lakeshores and reducing lawn size in order to protect water quality and create wildlife habitat. This DNRsponsored book details the problems often faced by lake-property owners and offers an explanation of the lake ecosystem; how to solve lakeshore problems by creating a buffer zone; and detailed instructions on designing and planting lakeshore landscapes. Using his expertise in horticulture, landscape architecture, and ecology, Fred wrote the chapters on design, installation, maintenance, and exotic species control, and compiled the extensive plant lists.
Native plants, such as this fireweed, are identified in the book as substitutes for invasive, non-native plants.

Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality encourages property owners to plant a natural buffer zone between the lake and the lawn to reduce lakeshore erosion and increase wildlife habitat.

This attractive and informative book can be purchased at Minnesotas Bookstore, 117 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN, or ordered by calling 1-800-657-3757 or 651-297-3000.

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Typical lakeshore sites transformed by lakescaping. This 3-stage design shows how a typical lakeshore property can be transformed from an open lawn to a site with an abundance of native vegetation that provides habitat in the form of a buffer zone between the lake and the lawn. The book offers several design options for a variety of lakeshore settings.

Demonstration Garden and Education

Client Hennepin County Environmental Services

Services Design of demonstration garden Classes and workshops Educational signage writing and design Brochure writing and design

The grounds at the Hennepin County Recycling and Transfer Station in Brooklyn Park were once blanketed by acres of lawn, which was regularly mown, watered and fertilized. Realizing the site offered a poor example for people who The demonstartion garden features educational signs came to recycle at the explaining the whys and hows of sustainable sitenot to mention landscaping. This sign explains the difference appropriate racking up financial and plant selection can make in yard maintenance and environmental costs appearance. the Environmental Services office engaged Barr to redesign the grounds. The results include a demonstration garden of hardy trees, shrubs, perennial plants (and some lawn) arranged in groupings appropriate for a residential landscape. A series of signs explain ecologically friendly yard concepts, with easy-to-understand text and illustrations. A brochure, conceived, written and designed by Barr, offers how-to information, plant lists and a diagram of the demonstration garden and how it could be adapted to a typical yard. Barr staff is conducting a series of on-site classes and tours to teach practical application of the concepts demonstrated on the site.

The garden, shown here shortly after planting, demonstrates several alternatives to lawn.

A page from the brochure

Barr Can Help

Fields of Expertise Atmospheric science Biochemistry Biology CADD Civil engineering Chemical engineering Chemistry Construction observation Data QA/QC Electrical engineering Environmental engineering Environmental science Epidemiology Geochemistry Geology Geophysics Geotechnical engineering Hazardous waste management Hydraulic engineering Hydrogeology Hydrology Industrial hygiene Information management Laboratory operations Landscape architecture Landscape ecology Mechanical engineering Metallurgical engineering Planning Process engineering Public health Regulatory analysis Risk assessment Soil science Structural engineering Surveying Technical writing Toxicology Water resources engineering Wetland mitigation

Whether your projects are large or small, Barr can help. With more than 300 engineers, scientists, technical specialists, and support staff in over 30 disciplines, were staffed to help you now and with future projects. Barrs team is with you for the long haul. Typically, youll work with the same principal, project manager, and core team members from the first day to the last day of your project. We recognize that the better we know you, the better well serve youand the fewer handoffs, the fewer opportunities to drop the ball. When you choose Barr for a project, you can be confident that: Well work with you to develop realistic expectations and milestones at the beginning of the project. Well send you regular progress reports, including budget and schedule tracking. Well identify potential problems or scope changes early, so you dont receive unpleasant surprises. Well manage subcontractors and provide a seamless project team, a consistent approach, and accurate results. We look forward to demonstrating our commitment to quality on your next project. For more information about Barrs landscape ecology and landscape architecture services, contact Fred Rozumalski, landscape ecologist, at (952) 832-2733 or e-mail at frozumalski@barr.com.

Visit our website at www.barr.com