| For a modern business, being environmentally and | | | | Perhaps one of the most important benefits of |
| ecologically conscious is an essential aspect of a | | | | Ecological Planning is that it greatly takes into |
| cost-effective business, in addition to contributing | | | | account environmental sustainability and in a world |
| to the wider goal of ensuring a sustainable | | | | with limited resources, it is no surprise that eco |
| environment. A sure-fire way to achieving this | | | | planning is now commonplace for most businesses |
| goal is through ecological planning. | | | | in the relevant sectors. Aside from the obvious |
| Ecological Planning is the method of recognising the | | | | environmental benefits of having an ecological |
| effect of ecological processes and environments, | | | | friendly business, having regard for the |
| and using this information to find solutions to best | | | | environment is likely to save you a great deal of |
| integrate human habitation into certain areas | | | | money while positively enhancing your businesses |
| appropriately. The ideal outcome of Ecological | | | | reputation as eco-friendly, services like Tree |
| Planning is to merge human habitation with a | | | | Surveys and Habitat Surveys can help ensure this. |
| natural environment in order to benefit both. | | | | The defining aspect of eco planning is weighing up |
| The concept of Ecological Planning has been | | | | the advantages and disadvantages of proposed |
| around as early the 1600's, but first came to | | | | projects, to establish whether the potential |
| fruition in 1969 as result of increased awareness | | | | benefits outweigh the usually unavoidable |
| of negative side effects on the environment | | | | environmental damage. |
| caused by humans. | | | | In instances where a substantial amount of |
| In order for landscape architects to effectively | | | | environmental damage is unavoidable, three |
| carry out Ecological Planning effectively, it is | | | | factors are taken into consideration before |
| standard to establish a number of key variables. | | | | permission can be given. The project must greatly |
| Among others, they must understand the | | | | benefit the public in some form, there must be no |
| relationship between natural processes and human | | | | other practical alternative and the conservation |
| actions, through ecological knowledge demonstrate | | | | status of any species affected must be sustained. |
| an awareness of patterns and processes in the | | | | An effective method of establishing if your |
| overall landscape and take into account the | | | | businesses project fits these criteria is to get an |
| technical feasibility of any options, especially those | | | | independent survey from a renowned ecological |
| that may have a long term effect on the | | | | planning company. |
| landscape. | | | | |