Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway by Qingshu Wang

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway Comprehensive Master Plan

Planning and Designing a NEW GARDENS and GREENWAY for The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University College Station, Texas A Collaboration Between the College of Agriculture and the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture. Yuxi Cheng Qingshu Wang Lu Zhou Jon Rodiek

MLA MLA MLA PhD

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway

DEDICATION

Comprehensive Master Plan

Planning and Designing a NEW GARDENS and GREENWAY for The College of Agriculture at Texas A&M University College Station, Texas

This design project including the summer internship, design studio, and design development phases and the production of this E Book are all part of the academic efforts generated to educate those students interested in becoming practicing professionals in Landscape Architecture. Without the administrative leadership, inspiration and financial support from these people this effort would not have been possible.

We dedicate this E Book to Mark Hussey, Dean and Vice Chancellor , College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Forster Ndubisi, Department Head , Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning

A Collaboration Between the College of Agriculture and the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture. Yuxi Cheng Qingshu Wang Lu Zhou Jon E. Rodiek

MLA MLA MLA PhD

2012-2013

Doug Welsh, Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Harold L. Adams â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; 61 , College of Architecture

RECOGNITION & PREFACE

Mark A. Hussey, PhD Vice Chancellor and Dean Collgeg of Agriculture and Life Sciences Texas A&M University

Led by Dr. Mark A. Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife provides teaching, research, extension, and service to the state of Texas and beyond.

Texas Gardens and Greenway Comprehensive Master Plan Copyright 2013 by Jon E. Rodiek, College Station, Texas All Rights Reserved. Printed by Blurb.com, San Francisco, California. First Edition. ISBN 978 - 0- 9824681-4-2

A part of the Texas A&M University System, one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, Texas A&M AgriLife comprises the following agencies: Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas A&M Forest Service, and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. These agencies conduct vital research and outreach and provide critical services to Texans, while also reaching across the globe to improve agriculture and natural resources. As dean, Dr. Hussey also oversees the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, one of the largest colleges of its kind in the nation. Texas A&M AgriLife also collaborates with other schools of agriculture throughout the state, all members of The Texas A&M University System: Prairie View A&M, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and West Texas A&M.

Texas A&M University, College of Architecture Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Department College Station, TX, 77843-3147

Forster Ndubisi, PhD

Doug Welsh, PhD

Department Head Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning College of Architecture Texas A&M University

Associate Department Head, Professor and Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences Texas A&M University

Dr. Ndubisi is the head of Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. This department is composed of two Bachelors programs, three Masters programs and one Ph.D. program. Bachelors of Science in Urban & Regional Planning, Bachelors of Landscape Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Urban Planning, Master of Land and Property, Development, and a Ph.D Urban and Regional Science. Dr. Ndubisi encourages service learning within studio courses. 90% of the undergraduate and graduate courses in landscape architecture and urban planning are engaged in such activities. He has supported the pursuit of funded service learning projects that can help communities involved leverage additional resources so as to realize added value and positive impacts to the citizens and the environments effected by such endeavors. In this way the University and the community work together through academic programs to teach students how to become more creative in their efforts to improve the quality of life for all.

Dr. Welsh has over 30 years of experience as a garden writer and broadcaster having provided regular garden programming and columns for radio and television in San Antonio and Bryan, Texas. He has served as coordinator for the Texas Master Gardener program and is coeditor of the Texas Master Gardener Handbook. His experience in landscape water management, xeriscape gardening and water conservation in Texas made him the choice to be the liaison between the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Landscape Architecture graduate programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design team. He was the go to person in all matters related to the decision making problems for the project. He has been highly respected by participants engaged in the creation of the plan. His leadership allowed for effective cooperation between client, planner/ designers and technical consultants.

III

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We deeply appreciate the generous assistance of: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Timothy Birdsong - Chief of Fresh Water Habitat Conservation Beth Bendix Gary Garrett Tom Heger

Texas A&M University Texas A&M AgriLife Mark Hussey, Dean and Vice Chancellor Bill Dugas Doug Welsh Cady Ackerman Ralph Davila David DeLeon Leland Pierson Pete Smith Charlie Hall Corliss Outley Landry Lockett Scott Shafer Fred Smeins Georgianna Moore University Undergraduate Studies Kristin Harper Department of English M. Jimmie Killingsworth Department of Health and Kinesiology IV

Frank Thomas

College of Architecture Forster Ndubisi, Department Head Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Galen Newman Yuxi Cheng Qingshu Wang Lu Zhou Cong Bian Lingyan Miao Xuemei Li, Wenjie Zhao Siyu Chen Xiaohan Gao Wenyan Ji Jing Lei Pengzhi Li Ao Shi Dan Zhao Yuan Ren Naishi Bu Aaron Eaquinto Mark Swapp Registered Landscape Architects Marty Sillito Michael Teal V

PROJECT OVERVIEW The graduate program in Landscape Architecture at Texas A&M University has been developing its educational strategy around the fundamental belief that we must prepare our students more broadly for entry into the complex, changing and ever demanding world of practicing professionals engaged in the built environment. This belief places a great deal of expectation on its faculty to engage in enlightened research and inspired teaching and to convey that information to the students taking the design studio, technical and theory courses making up the curriculum. One way the faculty can create such learning experiences within the design studio is to engage in real projects sponsored by real clients. Such was the case for the Land 620 graduate design studio in the summer of 2012. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences contracted Professor Jon Rodiek to produce a Comprehensive Master Plan for the eventual creation of a Gardens and Greenway adjacent to the College’s new AgriLife Complex on Kimbrough Boulevard on the west campus at Texas A&M University, College Station,Texas. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences led by Dean Mark Hussey has a strategy to create a new Gardens and Greenway development surrounding the five building complex. The strategy is an ambitious one that focuses on the academic and greater environmental issues faced by the College. The academic goals are to promote: 1. Education and Research particular to the college’s various programs through the creation of a rich compliment of demonstration gardens, 2. Recreation, Special Events, and Tourism on campus, 3. Agriculture, Heritage, and Interpretive sites, and 4. Sustainable Natural Habitats and a new compliment of built environments on site. In addition to these College level issues the strategy includes the restoration of the White Creek Greenway so as to protect and restore the drainage way, natural landform and habitats of this major natural feature for the campus and regional watershed.

Project Organization

Project Teaching Concepts

The project was organized into three parts: Summer 2012 - Research and Inventory, Fall 2012 - Analysis, Spring 2013 - Synthesis. The work would be accomplished by Landscape Architect graduate students in various stages of their education.

An endeavor such as this Gardens and Greenway project must have several components that will guide the overall flow of activities and events to realize the completion of this ambitious agenda. The leaders must be in possession of a Strategic Plan, a Master Plan, and a Financial Plan to coordinate these activities. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences created a sound Strategic Plan. It was the task of the Landscape Architecture Graduate Program through the actions of its various students and faculty to produce the integrated Master Plan. The Financial Plan was aided by producing estimated costs for construction and management of the project from the planning and design team.

The Summer 2012 phase was composed of one faculty supervisor, one graduated landscape architect supervisor and two recently graduated landscape architect students and three second year MLA students. The Fall 2012 phase was made up of five third year MLA’s , two from the previous summer phase and seven second year MLA students taking design studio. The Spring 2013 phase was composed of five third year students from the fall phase. Professor Rodiek supervised all three phases.

Project Objectives In addition to the client’s (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) objectives two other references were used to create additional objectives. By doing so the College, University and Community concerns were integrated into the Master Plan concept.

The general organization of such projects can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The studio followed a simple four step organization of project planning, design, and construction supervision developed by The Architects Collaborative out of Cambridge, Massachusetts ( TAC ) More complex organizational concepts now exist. This model was used because of its simplicity and proven success across a wide variety of projects spanning twenty years of practice. The category types are that of the TAC Model. The detail elements are particular to each project. The content information in the category type was created by the MLA planning and design team.

1. Preliminary Design - Client Program, Case Studies, Special Issues, Site Inventories, Web Site searches, Planning Issues. 2. Design Development - Design details developed for the client by the design team for each of the client approved elements. 3. Working Drawings - Master plan for bidding, Construction drawings, Cost estimates, Bidding procedures. 4. Construction Supervision - Construction review with contractor , On site monitoring/resolution of construction outcomes.

Project Outline Presentation The client was instructed in the organization of the contract response and the various products to be provided by the planning and design team. The client was also advised as to what the team would not provide to the client. Specifically the team would provide all elements listed plus others within the Preliminary Design Phase. The team would provide selected elements for Design Development treatment. 1. Site Inventory and Analysis

Vision 2020, The Twelve Imperatives for Texas A&M University

2. Case Studies and Research

Imperative #1. Elevate Our Faculty and Their Teaching, Research, and Scholarship.

3. Design Program

Imperative #5 Build on the Tradition of Professional Education.

4. Comprehensive Master Plan

Imperative #7 Increase Access to Knowledge Resources.

5. Design Development

The Harold L. Adams ‘ 61 Initiative and Professorship Support the professional development of faculty to teach, conduct research, and provide service to the university, community and citizens of Texas through interdisciplinary research and related teaching of concepts and educational theory for the built environment.

VII

DESIGN SOLUTIONS The development of the project design came under the responsibility of Dr. Jon Rodiek, Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. The project is complex in terms of its three tiered structure, work force organization, outputs, and coordination with the various client and technical groups and staff members concerned about the progress for each phase of development. It was critical that the products be clearly presented in terms of graphic execution and display and that the audience in question clearly understand the messages being sent within each presentation. Finally it was important to keep the design and planning group clearly informed of their role in creating accurate and valid decisions they would have to make throughout the execution of each phase.

Academic environments are different from professional office environments. The time for engaging the introduction, assimilation, production and review of each task is constrained by the class room format and the reality that this studio project is actually a professional one clothed in academic surroundings. It was therefore essential to keep each student planner/designer focused on the task at hand. Also the student had to be mindful of the deadlines and review commentary that shaped their every decision.

Client review of the work was also enhanced by the presence of an online, on site client representative. Doug Welsh was there to give daily feedback to any and all products, questions, or client preferences or dislikes as they were presented to him. He attended many class room studio sessions and summer inventory and research labs. He was aware of design development decisions made in the spring phase within forty eight hours of its creation. Dr. Welshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s availability made it possible for the team to get direct feedback from the Dean himself or any other administrator who the team needed feedback from.

To keep students keyed into the project in a meaningful and productive manner a strategy was created that allowed them to check their own progress. There are three components to the strategy. These are the Spatial Configuration, Land Use Strategy, and Environmental Design components. Landscape Architecture involves many aspects to consider when creating a viable Comprehensive Master Plan. Primary concern centers on the spatial configuration a master plan will take, the land use strategy created to direct the planning of the plan and the environmental design concerns that should be integrated into the plan.

Each student was given a task within the separate phases. Their background skills acquired during their undergraduate training and the subsequent training in their graduate program at Texas A&M qualified them to be members of the team. An introduction to the project was given to them. It was then necessary to give them broad guidelines to adhere to. The three components were familiar to them from previous design studio training. In this project we simply elaborated on the constructs as they related to the project conditions. Daily reviews by the team helped them to adjust their planning decisions and design concepts, be they in the inventory and research phase, the analysis phase or the synthesis phase. VIII

Each phase had primary planner/designers (second year students), senior planner designers, graduated landscape architect mentors (third year students) and a professional supervisor (faculty mentor or professional landscape architect). Cooperation and communication between the various members of the team allowed for efficient resolution and production throughout the duration of the phase work period. Learning and enhanced innovation was encouraged and realized since there was rapid translation of the problems afforded by the diverse talent and experience of the team members.

This project structure was a vast improvement over more conventionally structured studio projects because of the project design. This design was made possible by the financial resources generated outside the funding from normal academic sources. The result was the enhanced educational experience and growth of all the members of the team and the provision of a valid comprehensive master plan for the client.

Remote communication is for the modern day graduate student not a problem. Computer production, email networking, graphic transfer of work by email, drop box translation and online editing made the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efficiency equal to any professional office. Consequently work production was greatly enhanced by interactive collaboration and upgrading. This quick review and feedback allowed for innovation to take place at a rapid pace.

MEET THE THE TEAM TEAM MEET

CO-AUTHORS:

Land 620 Studio Class Photos

Siyu Chen

Yuxi Cheng

MLA Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

Qingshu Wang

MLA Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

Xiaohan Gao

Wenyan Ji

MLA Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Texas A&M University

Jing Lei

Pengzhi Li

Ao Shi

Lu Zhou

MLA Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

MLA Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Texas A&M University

Dan Zhao

MLA Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Texas A&M University

XI XI

OUTLINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter

Mission Statement To restore, preserve and develop the White Creek Greenway Corridor on the AgLife Campus Complex site.

2012 Summer

PART II: Case Study PART III: Research

PART I: SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS

2012 Fall

PART IV: Design Program PART V: Comprehensive Master Plan

. Education , Research and Demonstration Gardens

Tasks: 1. Study site condition through inventory investigation. 2. Analyze site potential. 3. Study related cases and research to support design development

Tasks: 1. Develop design program and design ideas based on inventory and research materials. 2. Develop A&M Gardens master plan.

. Recreation Special Events and Tourism . Ag Culture and Heritage Interpretive Sites

Tasks: 1. Develop demonstration gardens design.

. Sustainable Natural Habitats and Built Environments

2013 Spring

XII

PART VI: Design Development

Chapter

2. Develop AgriLife Building Complex landscape design.

Chapter

1 2 3 4 5 6

SITE INVENTORY & ANALYSIS Site context, Elevation and Slope, Utilities, Climate Data and Solar Path, Transportation and Circulation, Soil and Water, Vegetation, Wildlife.

CASE STUDY Arboretums, Riparian Way Restoration, University Gardens.

RESEARCH Circulation, Sustainability Practices, Ag Culture and Heritage, Tourism, Bird Habitat, Urban Farming

DESIGN PROGRAM User analysis, design elements, programming, zoning, visitor center, howdy station, lawn amphitheater, creek restoration

COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN Preliminary design concept, Comprehensive Master Plan, circulation analysis, activities, facilities, sustainable practices, design phases

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Agricultural Headquarters Building surroundings, demonstration gardens

XIII

tABLE OF cONTENTS

Site Location Site Photos Vehicle Route School Bus Route Climate Solar Path Site Contour Map Site Elevation Site Slope Analysis Map Slope Analysis Regional Watershed & Drainage Data Lower Brazos Watershed And Brazos River Watershed 100-Year Flood Plain Site 100-Year Flood Plain And Drainage Study Site Water Sample Selection And Analysis Water Analysis General Soil Types Of Brazos County Nrcs Study Site Soil Data Nrcs Soil Suitability And Limitations Study Site Soil Sample Selection And Analysis Soil Nutrient Analysis Other Nutrients For Plants

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Ecoregion Ecoregion Vegetation Types Description Trees On Site Suggested Plants - Trees Suggested Plants - Shrubs Suggested Plants - Ground Covers Plants For Erosion Control Plants For Wildlife Suggested Plants - Wildflowers Suggested Plants - Water Plants Suggested Plants - Native Plants Suggested Plants - Rain Garden Recommended Plants For Erosion Control/Wildlife Bird Species Of Brazos County Bird Species Of Brazos County-- Breeding Bird Species Of Brazos County-- Breeding & Year Round Bird Species Of Brazos County-- Year Round Bird Species Of Brazos County-- Wintering Birds Appearance Frequency Checklist Butterflies Of Brazos County Bees Mammals Of Brazos County Herps Of Brazos County

24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 41 42 43 45 46 49 52 53 58 59 61

Chapter 1--Site Inventory & Analysis XIV

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway

SITE PHOTOS

SITE LOCATION Study Site

2 10 8 9

4 5 2 11 3

White Creek is a natural landform asset on the West Campus of Texas A&M University. This riparian waterway was designated the White Creek Greenway in 1998 by the Board of Regents. It extends from the front of the Horticultural/Forestry Sciences Building and follows White Creek behind the AgriLife Complex to the Bush President Library and Museum. The public garden and greenway is approximately 45 acres. It is located north of Kimbrough Boulevard behind the AgriLife Complex. 2

13 12

9 Scale: 1”=400’ 0

200

400

10 13

800 ft 3

SCHOOL BUS ROUTE

VEHICLE ROUTE

Legends:

Study Site

Study Site Bus Lines Bus 04W (Gig’EM West)

55 MPH 45 MPH

Bus 05 (Bush School)

40 MPH

Bus 06 (12th Man)

35MPH

Bus Stops

30MPH

Bus 04W Stops

15MPH

Bus 05 Stops

Proposed Route

Bus 06 Stops

Driving Direction Map Complete Transit Routes

Scale: 1”=0.3 Mile

Scale: 1”=0.4 Mile 4

0 0

0.1

0.2

0.4 Mile

0.1

0.2

0.4 Mile 5

CLIMATE Climate Data By Month

SOLAR PATH Wind Wheel for Annual Average

Solar Path Diagram

Solar Exposure Diagram Summer Solstice (June 22)

Average Precipitation

Equinoxes (Mar. 21& Sep. 23)

Relative Humidity Study Site N

Summer Solstice (June 22)

USDA Hardiness Zones

Annual Minimum Temperature

Average Frost Dates First Fall Dates

Late Spring Dates

Winter Solstice (Dec.22)

Winter Solstice (Dec.22) S

Sources: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/77843, http://www.city-data.com/city/College-Station-Texas.html, http://weatherspark.com/averages/29922/College-Station-Texas-United-States, http://www.sunearthtools. com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php, http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/.

Existing Building

Proposed Building

SITE CONTOUR MAP

SITE ELEVATION Legends: Study Site Elevation (ft) 292-299

Legends:

300-306 2 ft Contour Interval

307-312

Study Site

320-325

313-319

326-332 333-339 340-345 346-352 353-39 The study site is sloping from the Northeast corner to the Southwest corner in White Creek. Total elevation drop is 40 ft. Whole site is generally flat.

Highest point is 332ft, Lowest point is 292 ft.

Scale: 1â&#x20AC;?=0.08 Mile 8

0.05

0.1

0.2 Mile

SITE SLOPE ANALYSIS MAP

SLOPE ANALYSIS Suitable for Trails, Paths and Driveways Suitable for Buildings and Structures The ideal slope for trials, path and drive- The ideal slope for buildings and strucways is under 5%. 10% is the maximum. tures is under 5%. 5% to 15% is the limitation.

Legends:

Sheet Flow Drainage

<1%

Path& Trails

1-5% Driveways

5-8%

Building & Structure

8-10%

ADA

10-15%

ADA Requirement According to ADA, the maximum slope is 8%, above which is not available for AD accessibility.

Suitable for Paved Plaza Paved area construction slope is under 5%,10% is the maximum slope.

Paved Plaza Vegetation

15-23%

Mowing Erosion

Scale: 1â&#x20AC;?=0.08 Mile 10

0.05

0.1

0.2 Mile

REGIONAL WATERSHED & DRAINAGE DATA

LOWER BRAZOS WATERSHED AND BRAZOS RIVER WATERSHED

Lower Brazos Little Brazos Watershed

Accounting Unit-12070103

Little Brazos 2070101 & 12070102 Watershed

Brazos River Watershed and Study Area

Water Resource Regions of the US Texas-Gulf (Region 12)

Lower Brazos-Subregion 1207

Little Brazos Watershed and Site Location

Little Brazos Sub watershed in Brazos County

Lower Brazos River Basin Accounting Unit 120701

Scale: 1â&#x20AC;?=0.13 Mile

100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN

SITE 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN AND Drainage Site Drainage

Study Site 100-Year Flood Plain Map

100 Year Flood Area (areas subject to Inundation by the 1% Annul chance to flood) Flood Way 100 Year Flood Boundary 50 Year Flood Boundary Flood Way Boundary

Scale: 1”=2250 Mile 14

White Creek Existing Condition: Since a very large area on west campus drains runoff into White Creek, the water quality has dropped greatly. The picture on the right shows White Creek. Legends:

Scale: 1”=0.075Mile

Contours Sources: http://cstx.gov/index.aspx?page=388 , http://cstx.gov/Modules/ShowDocument. https://msc.fema.gov aspx?documentid=4087,

Sources: Mark A. Swapp, “A Green Infrastructure Stormwater Management Plan for Texas A&M”University

Study Site Boundary

Drainage Line

STUDY SITE WATER SAMPLE SELECTION AND ANALYSIS

WATER ANALYSIS

Water Analysis Report Prepared by

Calcium (Ca):

Water Analysis Report Prepared by Water Sample Report Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory Department of Soil and Cro Sciences 2610 F&B Road, 2478 TAMU College Station, TX 7843-2478 979-845-4816

Study Site Water Sample Location 1. Upstream Water (on the west of Horticulture/Forest Science Building) 2. One Tributary (near the existing rose garden) 3. Midpoint of White Creek 4. Downstream Water (under the bridge crossing John Kimbrough Blvd.)

2 3

N.T.S Sources: Google Earch, Water Sample Report

Magnesium (Mg) Source: Magnesium is dissolved from rock, dolomite, salts and soil. Issues: Magnesium is a component of water hardness and can combine with bicarbonate and carbonates resulting in “lime deposits,” scale, extremely hard water and salinity. Treatment/Practices: Reduction in Mg levels is normally accomplished through use of water softeners or similar ion exchange methods. Sodium (Na) Source: Sodium is dissolved from rock, salts, and soil. It is also found in oil-field brine, sea water, industrial brine, and reclaimed effluent water, etc. Issues: Moderate amounts of sodium have little effect on the usefulness of water; however persons on low sodium diets should consult their physician for levels above 20 ppm. Treatment/Practices: Reverse osmosis treatment is considered the only economical method for sodium removal for household uses. Reverse osmosis is more often used for drinking water rather than the whole household due to costs. Potassium (K) Source: Potassium is dissolved from rock, fertilizer, salt, and soil. Issues: High potassium levels in irrigation water may significantlyincrease potassium concentrations in forage grasses, thus potentially creating concerns with lactating livestock. Treatment/Practices: Limited treatment practices for reducing K levels. distillation, reverse osmosis or ion exchange methods.

Source: Calcium in water is from dissolved rock, limestone, gypsum, salts and soil. Issues: Calcium is a component of water hardness and can combine with bicarbonate and carbonates resulting in “lime deposits,” scale,extremely hard water and salinity. Treatment/Practices: Reduction in Ca levels is normally performed through use of water softeners or similar ion exchange methods.

Total Dissolved Salts (TDS) Source: Total dissolved salts are determined by the summation ofall measured ions (cations and anions). Issues: Total dissolved salts may be used interchangeably with total dissolved solids in clear non-turbid waters. See conductivity and SAR for more information. Treatment/Practices: See conductivity section. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) The SAR is a measure of the sodium concentration in relation to the calcium and magnesium charge concentrations in meq/L or eq/L. SAR Rating/Comments <10 No sodium hazard. May be used on all sensitive crops. 10 - 18 Medium sodium hazard. Gypsum and leaching needed. 18 - 26 High sodium hazard. Unsuitable for continued use. >26 Very high sodium hazard. Generally unsuitable for use. Iron (Fe) Source: Iron may be dissolved from rock and soil. It may also come from iron pipes, pumps and other equipment if low pH water is present. Issues: On exposure to air, iron in ground water oxidizes to reddish brown (or rust) water that may stain laundry and utensils. Large quantities can cause unpleasant taste and encourage the growth of iron bacteria. Treatment/ Practices: 1) Continuous chlorination followed by sediment filter and carbon filter. 2) Aerate water in storage tank or use potassium permanganate (KMnO4) feeder, then sediment filter. 3) Use sediment filter and water softener. 4) Adjust pH to 7.0 or more, then treat with manganese oxidizing green sand filter. 5) Trickle over crushed limestone bed. Zinc (Zn) Source: Zinc occurs naturally, but it may also result from industrial pollution. Additionally, low water pH can result in release of zinc from corrosion of copper-zinc alloys commonly used in plumbing systems. Issues: Zinc can produce a chalky appearance in water and produce a disagreeable taste. Treatment/Practices: Treatment practices are dependent on zinc source. Treatment of water naturally high in zinc includes ion exchange, reverse osmosis and distillation. Elevated zinc levels due to contact of low pH water with metal alloys is treated by use of soda ash feeder. 17

GENERAL SOIL TYPES OF BRAZOS COUNTY Study Site

NRCS STUDY SITE SOIL DATA Brazos County Soil Types

Soil Types Legend

Study Site Soil Type Map

This chart shows soil before disturbance. After the urbanism, almost 99% of the soil is disturbed soil.

Soil Description Legends: Zack- Boonville- Zulch Burlewash - Singleton

Nearly level to moderate sloping, moderately deepand very deep, loamy soils that are somewhatpoorly drained or moderately well drained; on prairie.

Soil

Setting

Typical profile

BoA

Elevation: 250 to 350 feet Mean annual precipitation: 36 to 40” Mean annual air temperature: 66 to 70F Frost-free period: 270 to 280 days

0 to 17 inches: Fine sandy loam 17 to 24 inches: Clay 24 to 73 inches: Clay loam 73 to 80 inches: Clay loam

BoB

Elevation: 250 to 350 feet Mean annual precipitation: 36 to 40” Mean annual air temperature: 66 to 70F Frost-free period: 270 to 280 days

0 to 17 inches: Fine sandy loam 17 to 36 inches: Clay 36 to 73 inches: Clay loam 73 to 88 inches: Clay loam

Elevation: 0 to 4,000 feet Mean annual precipitation: 8 to 60” Mean annual air temperature: 54 to 73F Frost-free period: 180 to 310 days

0 to 40 inches: Variable

ZaB

Elevation: 250 to 550 feet Mean annual precipitation: 32 to 42” Mean annual air temperature: 64 to 70F Frost-free period: 260 to 290 days

ZaD

Elevation: 250 to 550 feet Mean annual precipitation: 32 to 42” Mean annual air temperature: 64 to Frost-free period: 260 to 290 days

0 to 3 inches: Fine sandy loam 3 to 15 inches: Clay 15 to 30 inches: Clay 30 to 60 inches: Loam

Crockett - Benchley Spiller - Rosanky - Kurten

Dominantly Nearly Level To Gently Undulating, Sandy Andloamy Soils On Stream Terraces

Tabor - Gredge - Radar Robco - Chazos Burleson - Wilson

Dominantly Nearly Level, Loamy And Clayey Soils on Flood Plain

Ships Sandow Gladewater - Kaufman 18

Weswood

Scale: 1”=7Mile

Sources: http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531metapth130277/m1/1/sizes/xl/; http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/TX041/0/Brazos.pdf

19 Sources: http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531metapth130277/m1/1/sizes/xl/; http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/TX041/0/Brazos.pdf

NRCS SOIL SUITABILITY AND LIMITATIONS

STUDY SITE SOIL SAMPLE SELECTION AND ANALYSIS Study Site Soil Sample Selection Process

Water Erosion Potential The water erosion potential of the soil is based on those soil properties or a combination for soil properties and Landscape characteristics That contribute to runoff and have low resistance to water erosion processes.

Erosion Hazard - Paths and Trails Riparian Habitat Upland Roads and Trials Suitability Development Deciduous Habitat The ratings in this Paths and trails for Riparian shrubs, Development interpretation hiking and horseback vines, and trees(TX) Indicate the hazard of soil loss from unsurfaced roads and trails.

riding should require little or no slope modification through cutting and filling. The ratings are based on the soil properties that affect traffic ability and erodibility.

interpretation provides a tool to assess a soil’s limitations for use as either primary or secondary wildlife habitat.

Sources: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx; http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/TX041/0/Brazos.pdf

Upland deciduous trees (TX ) interpretation provides a tool to assess a soil’s limitations for use as either primary or secondary wildlife habitat.

Upland Coniferous Habitat Development Upland coniferous trees (TX) Interpretation provides a tool to assess a soil’s limitations for use as either primary or secondary wildlife habitat.

The goal of sampling soil is to get more information of existing study site to make better design decisions. Therefore, it is important to acquire enough property spaced samples to get an adequate analysis of the soils on the study site. Because White Creek and Greenway are the major portion of the 45 acre study site, soil samples were obtained along White Creek from upstream to downstream.

Study Site Soil Sample Location

1. Proposed Court Yard (on the east of AgriLife Service Building) 2. Irrigation Area (on the north of AgriLife Service Building) 3. Upstream Soil (on the west of Horticulture/Forest Science Building) 4. First Convergence from tributary 5. Mid piont of White Creek on site 6. Detention Pond Area There are three samples taken within the built 7. Downstream Soil environment. This method was chosen because most 8. Raised Bed (on the north of soils in built environments have been disturbed. Agriculture and Life Science Building) Locations were also chosen for future development, like court yard and petting zoo.

Sources: Google Earth; Soil Sample Report.

N.T.S

SOIL NUTRIENT ANALYSIS

OTHER NUTRIENTS FOR PLANTS

Soil pH

Soil pH for Plants

From an agricultural standpoint pH is important because it strongly affects plant growth, nutrient availability, elemental toxicity and microbial activity. Various mineral nutrients are readily available in varying concentrations depending on the pH of the soil. At certain pH levels, certain mineral nutrients bind with other minerals and are unavailable to the plant.

Plants get most of their nutrients from the soil. In fact, there are seventeen essential nutrients, and fourteen of them come from the soil. However, before a plant can utilize a mineral, it must be able to dissolve into the soil solution. Most minerals are dissolvable in neutral or slightly acidic soil. If the soil is too acidic, when minerals dissolve, it can increase the concentration of metal ions to toxic levels. On the other hand, if the soil is too alkaline, mineral deficiencies may occur because the minerals are unable to dissolve. In addition to mineral solubility, soil pH levels also affect the microrganisms that live in the soil that break down organic material. To avoid problems with most plants, the soil pH level should be between 5.5 and 7.5. Most turf grasses tend to grow best between 5.5 and 6.5. Many evergreen trees and shrubs prefer a pH range of 5.0 to 6.0. Potatoes tolerate a wide range in soil pH, but potato scab can be a problem if the pH is above 5.3.

Lowering Soil pH • Iron sulfate • Aluminum sulfate • Acid sphagnum peat • Fertilizers – Use ammonium sulfate or urea as nitrogen fertilizer sources 22

Sources: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/222.html; http://extension.missouri.edu/p/MG4

Macronutrients

1. The primary nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These major nutrients are lacking from the soil first because plants use large amounts for their growth and survival. 2. The secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), andsulfur (S). Sulfur is usually found in sufficient amounts from the slow decomposition of soil organic matter, an important reason for not throwing out grass clippings and leaves.

Micronutrients

The micronutrients are boron (B),copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chloride (Cl), manganese (Mn),molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). Recycling organic matter such as grass clippings and tree leaves is an excellent way of provi ding micronutrients (as well as macronutrients) to growing plants.

Deficiency Symptoms

N: Slow growth and stunting; Yellow-green color leaves; “Firing” of tips and margins of leaves; yellowing mature leaves. P: Slow growth and stunting; Purplish coloration on foliage of some plants; Dark green coloration with tips of leaves dying; Delayed maturity; Poor fruit or seed development. K: Tip and marginal “burn” starting on mature leaves. Lower leaves turn yellow; Weak stalks and plants lodge easily; Small fruits or shriveled seeds; Slow growth.

Mg: Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing) of older leaves; Curling of leaves upward along margins; Marginal yellowing with green “Christmas tree” area along midrib; Generally supplied when soils are limed with dolomitic lime; most likely to occur on acid, sandy soils; Soil tests can be used to determine Mg needs; can be induced by high K applications. S: Young leaves are light green to yellowish in color. In some plants, older tissues are also affected; Small and spindly plants; Retarded growth and maturity. Mn: Decreasing in stem length and a rosetting of terminal leaves; Reduced fruit bud formation; Dieback of twigs after the first year; Mottled leaves and interveinal chlorosis. Fe: Interveinal chlorosis of young leaves; Veins remain green except in severe cases; Twig dieback; death of limbs or plants. Mn: Interveinal chlorosis of young leaves; Gradation of pale green color with darker color next to veins. No sharp distinction between veins and interveinal areas as with iron deficiency. Cu: Stunted growth; Dieback of terminal shoots in trees; Poor pigmentation; Wilting and eventual death of leaf tips. B: Death of terminal buds, causing lateral buds to develop and producing a “witches broom” effect; Thickened, curled, wilted and chlorotic leaves; Soft or necrotic spots in fruit or tubers; Reduced flowering or improper pollination.

ECOREGION

ECOREGION VEGETATION TYPES DESCRIPTION

Texas Ecoregions

Brazos County

N.T.S.

Brazos County Ecoregion Map

The region is underlain by Upper Cretaceous marine chalks, Legend marls, limestones, and Blackland Prairies shales which gave rise to the development Coastal Sand Plans of the characteristic Edwards Plateau Gulf Coast Prairies & Marshes black, calcareous, alkaline, heavy clay High Plains soils. Llano Uplift Oak Woods & Prairies Upland soils are light Piney Woods colored, acidic sandy loam or sands. BotRolling Plains tomland soils may be South Texas Brush Country light brown to dark Trans Pecos gray and acidic with textures ranging from sandy loams to clays.

Soil Ecological Sites

30b Post Oak Woods, Forest and Grassland Mosaic

30c Post Oak Woods / Forest

36 Water Oak-Elm-Hackberry Forest

Commonly Associated Plants (Post Oak Savannah): Blackjack oak, eastern redcedar, mesquite, black hickory, live oak, sandjack oak, cedar elm, hackberry, yaupon, poison oak, American beautyberry, hawthorn, supplejack, trumpet creeper, dewberry, coral-berry, little bluestem, silver bluestem, sand lovegrass, beaked panicum, three-awn, spranglegrass, tickclover.

Commonly Associated Plants (Post Oak Savannah): Cedar elm, American elm, willow oak, southern red oak, white oak, black willow, cottonwood, red ash, sycamore, pecan, bois dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;are, flowering dogwood, dewberry, coral-berry, dallisgrass, switchgrass, rescuegrass, bermudagrass, eastern gamagrass, Viginia wildrye, Johnsongrass, giant ragweed, leavenworth eryngo.

Commonly Associated Plants: Cedar elm, American elm, willow oak, southern red oak, white oak, black willow, cottonwood, red ash, sycamore, pecan, bois dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;arc, flowering dogwood, dewberry, coral-berry, dallisgrass, switchgrass, rescuegrass, bermudagrass, eastern gamagrass, Virginia wildrye, Johnsongrass, giant ragweed, yankeeweed, Leavenworth eryngo.

Distribution: Most apparent on the sandy soils of the Post Oak Savannah.

Distribution: Occurs in upper flood plains of Sabine, Neches, Sulphur and Trinity Rivers and tributaries.

Distribution: Most apparent on the sandy soils of the Post Oak Savannah.

Legend

46. Urban

Claypan Prairie Blackland Prairie Clayey Bottomlands Loamy Bottomlands Claypan Savannah

The Bazette, Edge, and Lufkin soils in map units BaD, EdC, EdD, Lk, and Lu are in the Claypan Savannah. The composition by weight is about 75% grasses. 20% woody plants, and 5% forbs.

Legend Study Site 30b Post Oak Woods, Forest, and Grassland Mosaic 30c Post Oak Woods/Forest 36 Water Oak-Elm-Hackberry Forest

44 Crops

45 Other Native or Introduced Grasses

Commonly Associated Plants: Cultivated cover crops or row crops providing food and/or fiber for either man or domestic animals. This type may also portray grassland associated with crop rotations.

Commonly Associated Plants: Mixed native or introduced grasses and forbs on grassland sites or mixed herbaceous communities resulting from the clearing of woody vegetation. This type is associated with the clearing of forests in northeast and east-central Texas and may portray early stages of Type 41, Young Forest. Also occurs in the South Texas Plains where brush has been cleared. Such areas are particularly subject to change due to regrowth brush.

Distribution: Statewide.

Distribution: Most apparent on the sandy soils of the Post Oak Savannah.

44 Crops Other Native and/or introduced grasses Urban

Resource: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/maps/gis/map_downloads/map_gallery/bio/index.phtml

Resource: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_bn_w7000_0120/

1. Pioneer, open communities of rocks, walls, roofs, pavements and other metalled or trodden surfaces, dominated by cryptogams or other specially-adapted rock plants. 2. Floating and submerged aquatic communities composed of perennial, obligate hydrophytes of fresh waters. 3. Ruderal weed communities dominated by annual plant species or biennial species. 4. Emergent tall, swamp communities of rivers, canals and lke margins dominated by a variety of linear-leaved monocotyledons. 5. Low-growing swamps and marsh communities, dominated by graminoid and herbaceous perennial marsh plant species. 6. Rank, perennial, tall-grass and tall-herb communities of embankments, road verges, abandoned sewage beds and damp swamp and marsh margins. 7. Low, perennial grass and grass-herb communities, including regularly mown grasslands. 8. Scrub vegetation of thickets, hedges and ornamental park borders, dominated by woody shrubs less than 5m in height. 9. Deciduous and evergreen woodland, greater than 5m in height with a closed canopy, and urban savannah woodland with an open canopy.

Trees on Site

Suggested Plants - Trees Canopy Trees

Acacia farnesiana Huisache

Carya illinoensis Pecan

Celtis laevigata Sugarberry

Fraxinus pennsylvania Green Ash

Fraxinus velutina Arizona Ash

Juniperus virginiana Eastern Redcedar

Understory/Ornamental Trees

Maclura pomifera Osage-orange

Post Oak

Morus spp. Mulberry

Salix nigra Black Willow

Parkinsonia aculeata Retama

Prosopis glandulosa Honey Mesquite

Sideroxylon lanuginosum Gum Bumelia

Triadica sebifera Tallowtree

Resource: http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/ViewAllTrees.aspx?let=M; http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/; http://www.wildflower.org/

Prunus mexicana Mexican plum

Ulmus parvifolia Lacebark Elm

Resource: http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/ViewAllTrees.aspx?let=M; http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/; http://www.wildflower.org/

Suggested Plants - Shrubs

Suggested Plants - Ground Covers Grass/Perennials

Resource: Google Images; http://www.wildflower.org/

Suggested Plants - Ground Covers (Cont.) Ornamental Grasses

Plants for Erosion Control Calculated by the software program from the values assigned by the program (0-1-2-3) for particular plant species. Data attributes from which the index is calculated include values for Effectiveness Period, Raindrop Impact Prevention, Erosion Hardiness, Sheet and Rill Erosion Prevention, Ease of Propagation, Soil Binding Ability, and Relative Expense. The calculated value is converted to a ranking of 1 to 10, with 10 being most effective in erosion control. When selecting plants for erosion control or slope stabilization it is important to use fast growing species that have root systems that will â&#x20AC;&#x153;holdâ&#x20AC;? the soil in place. Heavy plants are not recommended for slope control because their dense foliage can actually contribute to slope erosion.

Trees

Muhlengergia

Lawn/Turf

Shrubs

Ground Covers

Resource: Google Images; http://www.wildflower.org/; http://tpid.tpwd.state.tx.us/select_county.asp

Resource: http://tpid.tpwd.state.tx.us/select_county.asp

Plants for Wildlife

Suggested Plants - Wildflowers

Calculated by the software program from the values assigned by the program (0-1-2-3) for a particular plant species. Data attributes from which the index is calculated include both Wildlife Food and Cover Values for small mammals, large mammals, upland game birds, waterfowl, and nongame birds. The calculated value is converted to a ranking of 1 to 10, with 10 being most valuable for use by wildlife.

Trees

Shrubs

Ground Covers

Resource: http://tpid.tpwd.state.tx.us/select_county.asp

Resource: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/exhibits/wildflowers/browse.html; http://www.wildflower.org/

Suggested Plants - Water Plants

Suggested Plants - Water Plants (Cont.)

Submerged Plants

Emergent Plants

Resource: http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/; http://www.wildflower.org/

Suggested Plants - Native Plants

Suggested Plants - Rain Garden Plant Selection Plants placed in rain gardens should be able to withstand short periods of inundation (up to 48 hours), as well as drought conditions. The vegetation selected will depend on regional weather conditions and the adaptability of the plants.

Trees

Shrubs

Resource: http://www.wildflower.org/; http://tpid.tpwd.state.tx.us/select_county.asp

Resource: Stormwater Management Rain Gardens; Google images;

Suggested Plants - Rain Garden (Cont.)

Suggested Plants - Rain Garden (Cont. 2)

Shrubs (Cont.)

Perennials

Grasses

Resource: http://www.wildflower.org/; http://tpid.tpwd.state.tx.us/select_county.asp

Resource: Stormwater Management Rain Gardens; Google images;

Suggested Plants - Rain Garden (Cont. 3) Perennials (Cont.)

Recommended Plants for Erosion Control/Wildlife Trees

Shrubs

Ground Cover

Native Plants

Resource: Stormwater Management Rain Gardens; Google images;

Resource: http://tpid.tpwd.state.tx.us/select_county.asp

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- BREEDING

Breeding Birds

Breeding Birds Species

Year-round Birds

Winter Birds

Breeding Birds Habitat Detail

Sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189, http://en.wikipedia.org/

Sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189,

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- BREEDING (cont.)

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- BREEDING & Year Round

Breeding Birds Species

Year Round Birds Species

Breeding Birds Habitat Detail

Breeding Birds Habitat Detail Breeding Birds & Year Round Birds Habitat Detail

Sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189, Sources: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0869.pdf ; http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0010d. pdf

Sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- Year Round

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- Year Round (cont.)

Year Round Birds Species

Year Round Birds Habitat Detail

Sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189,

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- Year Round (cont.2)

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- Wintering

Year Round Birds Species

Wintering Birds Species

Year Round Birds Habitat Detail

Wintering Birds Habitat Detail

Sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189,

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- Wintering (cont.)

BIRD SPECIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY-- Wintering (cont.2)

Wintering Birds Species

Wintering Birds Habitat Detail

Sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189,

BIRDS APPEARANCE FREQUENCY CHECKLIST

BUTTERFLIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY Hesperiidae Skippers

Nectar plants: Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Campanulaceae, Polygonaceae, Verbenaceae

Habitat: Grassland, pastures and open woodland

Legend: Very Frequent

Frequent

Rare

Very Rare

None Accidental or Single

B - Breeding birds (Birds that breeds in White Creek area during their active season)

Sources: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0869.pdf

Sources: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=0&tid=2788, http://insects.tamu.edu/students/undergrad/ento489_field/SampleFinalReport1.pdf

BUTTERFLIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY (cont.)

BUTTERFLIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY (cont.2)

Pieridae Whites and Sulphurs

Papilionidae Parnassians and Swallowtails

Nectar plants: Polygonaceae, Verbenaceae Nectar plants: Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Liliaceae, Onagraceae, Polygonaceae, Rubiaceae, Verbenaceae

Habitat: Dense ground vegetation, such as large, grassy meadows

Sources: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=0&tid=2788, http://insects.tamu.edu/students/undergrad/ento489_field/SampleFinalReport1.pdf

Habitat: Wetlands such as fens and marshes

Sources: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=0&tid=2788, http://insects.tamu.edu/students/undergrad/ento489_field/SampleFinalReport1.pdf

BUTTERFLIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY (cont.3)

BUTTERFLIES OF BRAZOS COUNTY (cont.4)

Lycaenidae Gossamer-wing Butterflies

Nymphalidae Brush-footed Butterflies

Nectar plants: Asteraceae, Polygonaceae, Verbenaceae. Nectar plants: Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Lamiaceae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Polygonaceae, Verbenaceae

Habitat: Tall hedges and bushes, especially holly, privet and laurel

Sources: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=0&tid=2788, http://insects.tamu.edu/students/undergrad/ento489_field/SampleFinalReport1.pdf

Habitat: Almost any habitat that has plants

Sources: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=0&tid=2788, http://insects.tamu.edu/students/undergrad/ento489_field/SampleFinalReport1.pdf

BEES Bees of Texas

Bees of Texas

MAMMALS OF BRAZOS COUNTY Bees tend to be attracted to blue, purple and yellow flowers.Flowers with short tubes or no tubes at all are more likely to attract a variety of bees. Shorttongued bees and hover flies are attracted to small shallow flowers such as Brassicas (cabbage family), Umbelliferaes(carrot family), and Compositae (sunflower family).Long-tongued bumble bees are attracted to flowers with deep corollas and hidden nectar spurs such as larkspur, columbine,snapdragon, bergamot, delphinium, bell shaped flowers, mint and Solanaceae (tomato family). Leaf Cutter bees are attracted to beans and peas (legume family).

Armadillo

Bees of Texas

Bees play an essential role as pollinators in the garden. Without bees many of our vegetables and fruits would never get to harvest stage. The members of the pumpkin family provide classic examples of this. These all have separate male and female flowers and, unless the pollen gets carried from the male to the female, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no way the cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin etc. will develop.

Opossum

Gopher

The pollination process of self-pollination plants takes place within the individual flowers without the aid of insects or wind, but gardeners will see higher yields if bees help pollinate the plants. Bees are generally not attracted to double bloom varieties; they usually produce showy flowers with less pollen than single bloom varities. Heirloom varieties are preferred.

Sources: http://insects.tamu.edu/youth/4H/Common/All_species.pdf, http://www.beewatchers.com, http://images.google.com, http://msucares.com/lawn/garden/vegetables/pollination/, http://lifecyclesproject.ca/resources/downloads/ home_for_bees.pdf http://gardening.about.com/od/attractingwildlife/a/Bee_Plants.htm

a. High water level b. Average water level c. Low water level d. Ground water levels

Sources: http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/critical.htm; http://www.ijc.org/loslr/en/background/w_wetlans.php

MAMMALS OF BRAZOS COUNTY (cont.)

HERPS OF BRAZOS COUNTY

Pseudacris nigrita triseriata Striped Cricket Frog

Sources: http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/critical.htm; http://www.ijc.org/loslr/en/background/w_wetlans.php

Sources: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2421886?seq=2, http://images.google.com

HERPS OF BRAZOS COUNTY (cont.)

HERPS OF BRAZOS COUNTY (cont.2)

FISHES OF WHITE CREEK

Sources: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2421886?seq=2, http://images.google.com

tABLE OF cONTENTS

Summer 2012: Case Study & Research 64

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway

LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER NATURAL AREA EDUCATION LAB - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-DAVIS PUTAH CREEK RIPARIAN RESERVE

URBAN WATERSHED RENEWAL IN BERRY BROOK

CASE STUDY-BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS

LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER Site Map

Overview

Location: 4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX Nearest City:Austin Coordinates:30.185719,-97.873507 Established: 1982 Area: 279 acres Website: http://www.wildflower.org/

Introduction:

Entrance Trail Entrance Garden The Meadows Wetland Pond Courtyard Cafe Garden Little House Garden Seed Silo Garden Display Gardens Mixed Border Formal Garden Traditional Garden Naturalistic Garden Butterfly Garden Dry Creek Bed Growing Operation South Texas Mission Garden

NATURAL AREA EDUCATION LAB - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Facilities:

• Aqueduct: Water features that harvests water for the 70,000-gallon rainwater collection system. • Auditorium, • Visitor’s Gallery, • Wildflower Center Store, • Little House for Kid’s program, • Wildflower Cafe, • Observation Tower, • Library, • Administration Building, • Research Building, • Growing Operation, • Margaret & Eugene McDermott Learning Center.

1. Upland Pine: This habitat is found in hilly areas in the northern, central and panhandle regions of Florida. A typical upland pine ecosystem consists of widely spaced longleaf pines, limited shrubs and dense grasses. 2. Hammock: Common plants include laurel oak, pignut hickory, black cherry, flowering dogwood, American beautyberry, saw greenbriar, and muscadine grape. 3. Old Field: Fields that were once used in agriculture but have been abandoned because of poor soil or the closing of a farm are called “old fields.” When left alone, these fields can eventually become forests again through the natural process of succession. 4. SEEP is the Stormwater Ecological Enhancement Project. SEEP was created in 1998 by re-contouring the existing stormwater basin. The goal of SEEP was to develop a stormwater retention basin that improves wildlife habitat, enhances water quality, and provides an area for research and education.

Overview Cafe Garden

N.T.S

Nature Trials in NATL

Aqueduct

South Texas Mission Garden

Auditorium

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin is a 279acre public garden dedicated to increasing the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Founded by Mrs. Johnson and Actress Helen Hayes in 1982, the Wildflower Center brings life to her hope to preserve the beauty and regional identify of natural landscapes. The Center features acres of Texas wildflower gardens, award-winning architecture, nature trails, a café and gift shop.

Wildflower Cafe

Visitor’s Gallery

Sources: http://www.wildflower.org/

Growing Operation

Observation Tower

Location: Gainesville, FL Coordinates: 29.629848, -82.370135 Year of Developed: 1994 Watershed Area: 60 Acres Website: http://natl.ifas.ufl.edu/

Introduction

The University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Laboratory (NATL) and the Thomas J. Walker Conservation Area is dedicated to teaching students and the public about ecology and biotic diversity. It consists of 60 acres in two contiguous tracts in the southwest corner of campus. The larger tract, known as NATL-west, has 49 acres and is west of Natural Area/Surge Area Drive. The smaller tract, known as NATL-east, has 11 acres and is east of Natural Area/ Surge Area Drive. Sources: http://natl.ifas.ufl.edu/; Google Map

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-DAVIS PUTAH CREEK RIPARIAN RESERVE Research and Teaching

The variety of habitat types give researchers a variety of study sites and study areas. The Reserve has the following habitat types available for research: •Riparian woodland - 105 acres •Valley Oak grassland - 100 acres •Native perennial grasslands - 300 acres •Annual grasslands - 120 acres •Basins (can be filled with water when needed for research)-13 acres •Ponds - 2 acres •Experimental Ecosystem-65 acres Habitat Restoration and Floodway Management •Removal and management of invasive species. •Preserve and establish native grasses within the Reserve. •Removal and management of invasive trees. •Preserve and establish native trees and shrubs. •Develop appropriate bridge and stream corridor vegetation.

Overview

Location: 1 Garrod Dr Davis, CA 95616 Nearest City:Davis Coordinates:38.531348,-121.761775 Established: 2005 Area: 640 acres Website: http://http://putahcreek.ucdavis.edu/ Introduction The Putah Creek Riparian Reserve is a stream and grassland ecosystem, managed for teaching, research, wildlife and habitat protection. There are approximately 640 acres within the Reserve, with 380 at the Russell Ranch and the remainder on the main UC Davis campus. A majority of the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve lands on the main campus are open 68 to the public for passive recreation activities.

Habitat Restoration and Floodway Management

•Removal and management of invasive species. •Preserve and establish native grasses within the Reserve. •Removal and management of invasive trees. •Preserve and establish native trees and shrubs. •Develop appropriate bridge and stream corridor vegetation management plan. •Improve aquatic habitat.

Upstream View

URBAN WATERSHED RENEWAL IN BERRY BROOK Current Activities

Site Map Upperwatershed Restoration:

The restoration area as currently designed will include approximately two acres of wetland and floodplain creation. woody vegetation re-grows along the riparian buffer, structures and bank protection will be used.

Key recommendations of the Berry Brook Watershed

Management Plan (WMP) were to implement stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to: •Reduce bacteria and nutrients, •Improve natural resources within the watershed, and to educate property owners within the watershed about low impact development (LID) methods for treatment of stormwater runoff.

Overview

Location: Dover, NH Coordinates: 43.203925, -70.873833 Year of Established: 2008 Watershed Area: 0.9 mile long Website: www.unh.edu/unhsc/berrybrook

Introduction Bioretention II: prevents “back splash” from the roof run-off onto the main building and prevents erosion problems.

Tree Filter: treat drainage Bioretention I: from an approximate 0.33 0.07 acres rooftop run-off acre parking area to the Bioretention:Installed at Snow south of the school. Avenue Sources: http://www.unh.edu/unhsc/berrybrook; Google Map

Berry Brook, a tributary to the Cocheco River, is a 0.9 mile long stream in a 185 acre watershed in downtown Dover that is nearly completely built out with 30.1% impervious cover. The brook is listed as impaired for aquatic habitat and primary contact recreation. Urban Watershed Renewal is being implemented through water quality and stream restoration improvements in the Berry Brook Watershed beginning in 2011. The Berry Brook Watershed represents a unique opportunity to 69 work within a vibrant supportive community.

CASE STUDY-BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS Sustainability

Sustainability Map

Site Map

Retention Pond-- The retention pond captures the stormwater from the roof and parking lots, and reuses that water runoff. Most of the BRIT site does not need irrigation. The stormwater collected can efficiently supply the irrigation.

Rain Gardens--In parking lots rain gardens are shallow depressions near runoff sources. Planted with deeprooted native plants and grasses, they collect surface runoff, protect sewers from flooding, nourish indigenous plants, and help to reduce pollution and erosion.

Restoration of Prairie Habitat--In developing this site, BRIT took great care to preserve existing trees, plant native grasses of the local prairie. The LEED credit requires that at least 50% of a developed site be restored to a viable ecosystem. BRIT restored over 76%.

Overview: Vegetative Living Roof--The adjective “green” has come to mean something environmentally responsible. That describes BRIT’s living roof - a carpet of plants that insulates the building (cutting heating and cooling needs), reduces rainwater runoff, improves durability, provides habitat for native plants, butterflies, and birds—and is lovely to see.

Location: 1700 University Drive Fort Worth, Texas 76107-3400 Nearest City: Dallas, TX Coordinates:33.83392,-96.899414 Established: 2011 Area: 12 acres Website: http://www.brit.org/

Solar Panels and Geothermal Wells--BRIT’s 51.87 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system uses Solyndra, Inc. cylindrical-designed photovoltaic tubes mounted on 285 solar panels. It covers 5,943 square feet and is installed on the Archive Block roof of the BRIT facility.The photovoltaic system will provide approximately 14% ofthe building’s annual electricity requirements. BRIT also takes advantage of Earth’sconstant temperature with 166 geothermal “wells” drilled beneath the parking lot and landscaping, an innovative technology that allows us to cut the heating and coolingloads by over 50%.

Introduction:

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Inc. (BRIT) has one of the largest herbarium collections in the United States. When BRIT decided to build their new herbarium and library building, they used careful site design, responsible landscape management, and conscientious human behavior, in order to reduce the footprint on the natural world as well as to protect and restore the local ecosystem. In 2011, BRIT opened Green Wall--The sustainable image of the institute is broadcast by the the 12 acres US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED® Platiwalls of the herbarium which are designed with overlapping vines. num-certified headquarters and campus. Sources: http://www.brit.org/, http://www.h3hc.com, http://www.robaid.com/architecture/green-architecture-botanical-research-institute-of-texas.htm, http://botany.smugmug.com/.

Rainwater Harvesting--BRIT has two cisterns, one above ground and one below ground. The above ground cistern collects rainwater runoff from the roof and the underground cistern collects groundwater that is then pumped into the retention pond. The cisterns help ensure that the small portion of the site with an irrigation system uses runoff rather than potable water. Sources: http://www.brit.org/, http://www.h3hc.com, http://www.robaid.com/architecture/green-architecture-botanical-research-institute-of-texas.htm, http://botany.smugmug.com/.

White Creek Restoration Co-authors: Qingshu Wang, Wenjie Zhao, Xuemei Li

Table of Contents:

Chapter 3: Summer 2012 Research 72

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway

Introduction Hydrologic Cycle TAMU Campus Historical Aerial Photo TAMU Campus Permeable & Impermeable Cover Urban Development Influence to Hydrologic Cycle TAMU Campus Watershed. Urban Stream Syndrome TAMU Campus Drainage

Restoration Design Considerations for White Creek Natural Channel Design Low-Impact Development (LID) Stormwater Management Strategies Natural Channel Stability Priority Options for Restoring Incised Streams Bankfull Discharge and Stage Vegetation Function

Adapted from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Considerations for Incorporating Natural Channel Design Restoration Options for White Creek into the Master Plan for the Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway Projectâ&#x20AC;? prepared by the White Creek Restoration Workgroup.

INTRODUCTION Hydrologic Cycle

TAMU Campus Watershed

TAMU Campus Drainage

Urban Development Influence to Hydrologic Cycle Urban development increases impervious surfaces, which effectively prevent rainwater from replenishing aquifers, decrease streamflow ,water supply and water quality. Increased amount of impervious surfaces result in higher peak flows, which can cause flood.

Hydrologic Cycle

Texas A&M campus straddles five watersheds. On northeast side of Welborn Road, main Campus drains to Wolf Pen Creek and Bee Creek, and University Apartment area drians to Hensel Creek, then these three branches connect to the Navasota River. While on southwest side of Welborn Road, west campus drains to White Creek, which flows to Brazos River. Since urban development is happening on west campus, changing of the surfaces greatly influence the water qaulity and habitat of White Creek.

Streams draining urban land consistently display ecological degradation, which is sometimes termed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Urban Stream Syndrome.â&#x20AC;? Symptoms typically include: 1.A flashier hydrography 2.Elevated concentrations of nutrients and Contaminants 3.Altered channel 4.Reduced biotic richness with increased dominance of tolerant species

Altered channel example 74

Over decades, the Texas A&M College Station campus has become increasingly urbanized, resulting in areas of impervious cover that generate higher rates of runoff.

Flashy hydrography example

RESTORATION DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR WHITE CREEK Background

Stormwater Management Strategies

As watersheds become increasingly urbanized, the in-stream flow regimes of receiving surface water bodies area altered through large stormwater volumes that reach the water shed outlet quickly. High runoff volumes associated with flooding events and increased velocities of small, frequent storms may erode stream banks and create an altered long-term comprehensive flow regime.

Permeable pavements (LID) systems generally consist of a matrix of concrete blocks or plastic web-type structure with voids that are filled with a material of high permeability (sand, gravel or even soil). They retain water within the highly permeable matrix as it slowly infiltrates into the underlying soil. Green roof (LID) is the roof of a building on which vegetation has been established on soil, or other growing media, on a waterproof membrane.

Natural Cannel Design Rules 1.Maintain Riparian Vegetation The plants that grow on the banks and in the channel are very important for stability of a channel. It is best to ensure that ground covers, mid-storey and canopy species are present. At a minimum there must be a stable, established ground cover covering the banks. 2. Avoid removing woody debris and plants Where a plant is growing or branches fall and accumulate in a creek, try to avoid removal. These features slow down water flow and decrease its power causing erosion. However in some circumstances there is area flood hazard, or cause localized scour that threaten infrastructure or assets. If this is the case the debris may need to be removed.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems (LID): collecting rainfall from rooftops. Rainwater harvesting is especially appealing as it combines the benefits of water reuse with runoff reduction and groundwater recharge.

A naturally stable stream channel maintains its dimension, pattern and profile such that the stream does not degrade or aggrade. Stable streams migrate across the landscape slowly over geologic time while maintaining their form and function. Naturally stable streams must be able to transport the sediment.

Priority Options for Restoring Incised Streams Priority 1: Establish Bankfull Stage at the Historical Floodplain Elevation. The objective is to replace the incised channel with a new, stable stream at a higher elevation. This is accomplished by excavating a new channel with the appropriate dimension, pattern and profile.

Channel Dimension: The dimension of a stream is its cross sectional view or perspective. Specifically, it is the bankfull cross-sectional area (bankfull width multiplied by bankfull mean depth) measured at a stable riffle in the stream. Channel Pattern: Stream pattern refers to the “plan view” of a channel as seen from above. Natural streams are rarely straight. They tend to follow a sinuous path across a floodplain. Channel Profile: The profile of a stream refers to its longitudinal slope. At the watershed scale, channel slope generally decreases downstream. Restoration of proper dimension, pattern and profile will create a channel that moves water and sediment through the reach without causing aggradation or degradation.

Priority 2: Create a New Floodplain and Stream Pattern with the Stream Bed Remaining at the Present Elevation. The objective is to create a new, stable stream and floodplain at the existing channel-bed elevation. This is accomplished by excavating a new floodplain and stream channel at the elevation of the existing incised stream.

For large rain events

Detention Pond (BMP): The water is temporarily held in a low lying area while it slowly drains into another location or a downstream water body. 3. Use “soft engineering” to stabilise channels Ecological Approach for White Creek: The campus master plan suggests that In certain circumstances it may be necessary to stabilise Tributary D should be developed as a greenway. The area can be restored to its an eroding channel through re-grading the banks, adding vegetation and/or strategically placing natural features such as natural state by encouraging the use of native Texas riparian landscape. A 300 feet logs. However any works such as this should be designed and wide riparian buffer, divided into three cores (inner, middle and outer) is proposed. constructed by appropriately qualified professionals and be Riparian buffers. carried out under a development application. • Zone 1 >15 ft, and consists of natural or undisturbed 4.Use “hard engineering” to stabilise channels forest. Such as rock lining, channel re-alignment and or other • Zone 2 > 60 feet, consists of significant work is required to stabilise a channel. These works managed forest area. should be designed and constructed by appropriately qualified • Zone 3 > 20 feet, consists professionals and be carried out under a development of native grasses to control application. runoff from human land uses, such as cropland/ 76

Natural Channel Stability

Sources: http://naturalchanneldesign.net/; http://www.virginiaoutdoorsfoundation.org/VOF_resource-ripbuffer.php

Priority 3: Widen Floodplain at the Existing Bankfull Elevation. The objective is to widen the floodplain at the existing channel elevation to reduce shear stress. This is accomplished by excavating a floodplain bench on one or both sides of the existing stream channel at elevation of existing bankfull stage. Priority 4: Stabilize Existing Streambanks in Place. Priority 4 projects use various stabilization Broad-level stream classification delineation showing techniques to armor the bank in place. longitudinal, cross sectional and plan-views of Rosgen’s major Projects may use riprap, concrete, stream types Rosgen, 1996, 4-4 gabions, bioengineering or combinations of structures to protect streambanks. Sources: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/srp/sr_guidebook.pdf

Bankfull Discharge and Stage

Benefits of Riparian Buffer Riparian-Buffer Re-establishment

The most important stream process in defining channel form is the bankfull discharge, which is essentially the same as the effective—or dominant—discharge. Bankfull discharge is the flow that transports the majority of a stream’s sediment load over time and thereby forms and maintains the channel. Any flow that exceeds the stage of the bankfull flow will move onto the floodplain; therefore bankfull stage is considered the incipient point of flooding. This may or may not be the top of the streambank. On average, bankfull discharge occurs every 1.5 years. In other words, each year there is about a 67 percent chance of a bankfull discharge event. Therefore, it is critical to correctly identify bankfull stage when classifying streams and designing streamrestoration measures.

Trees and shrubs growing within the 1. Salvaging On-Site Vegetation buffer will produce a root mass that transplants will greatly increase bank stability. Potential may include small Leaves from these trees will shade the stream through the hottest part trees up to 3 inches in of the year, and when they drop in the diameter. Prune these fall, provide organic detritus that fuels trees to about 6 feet. food chains in lower-order streams. Keep the root balls and Riparian vegetation also provides food surrounding soil intact. and hiding places for many wildlife Pruneshrubs to 3 or 4 species. Since stream corridors may be feet and harvest like the 2. Live Staking the only undeveloped areas within a trees. As with transplants, watershed or the only linkage between it may be possible to woodlands, they are important travel harvest stake material routes for animals. The stems and root from the site. Stakes are mass of the riparian vegetation benefit branches or small limbs water quality by filtering sediment cut from a larger tree and other pollutants from surface and or shrub. Install stakes subsurface flow so these substances in areas where erosive won’t enter the stream and harm forces are greatest. aquatic organisms.

Vegetation Function 1. Bank stabilization. 2. Provide food and green channels for wildlife. 3. Improve water quality by infiltration of pollutants. 4. Reduce sediments. Streambank erodibility factors Rosgen 1996, 6-40

3. Bare-Root Plantings Bare-root material is recommended on large restoration sites requiring many trees. Bare-root plantings are more economical than container plants. 4. Container Plant Material Some projects may require container, or potted, plants. These come in many different sizes and shapes. 5. Permanent Seeding For maximum habitat diversity and ground cover, include seeds among the planted material.

Sources: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/srp/sr_guidebook.pdf

Circulation and Parking Authors: Qingshu Wang Table of Contents: Exsiting Circulation and Parking Analysis

Sidewalk and Trails

Trail Design Existing Condition Site Photos Trail Examples Trail Design Guidelines Trail Design Trails Near Floodplains Permeable Trail Paving Trail Facilities

Bike Trail Design Existing Bike Trails Existing Condition Bike Trail Examples Bike Trail Design Guidelines

Garden Entrance Design Garden Entrance Analysis Entrance Examples

Nearby Campus Parking Lots Nearby Parking Lots Map Parking lot imformation chart

Parking Analysis Exsiting Visitors Parking Bus and Goods Vehicle Parking Tailgate and RV Parking On Campus Nearby Parking Lots Map

Existing situation of circulation and parking is limited to serving the needs for the potential development of the Greenway garden. By permitting school field trips, tailgates, and other visitors, parking requirement will be increased. Organizing drop off locations, draw visitors from George Bush Library are other concerns that need to be solved.

EXISTING CIRCULATION AND PARKING ANALYSIS

SIDEWALKS AND TRAILS

Legends: Study Site Half Mile Zone One Mile Zone Sidewalks in Half Mile Zone Sidewalks in One Mile Zone Trails

Legends:

Study Site

Vehicular Route

Pedestrian Zone

Bike Lane

Parking

Although there are many pedestrian path within the half zone boundary around the study site. Those trials are disconnected and disorganized. Also there is no trail inside the study site boundary.

Scale: 1”=0.9 Mile

Scale: 1”=0.5 Mile

Sidewalk Service Road

0.05

0.1

0.2Mile

Trail Design Guidelines

TRAIL DESIGN ANALYSIS Existing Condition

1. Trails should have a clear width of 6 feet to allow room for passing and walking two abreast. A minimum width of 4 feet should only be used when in specific conditions.

1.Sidewalks on north side ends at the plaza, connection to the site is limited. 2.Sidewalks on southwest and southeast connect to Bush Library and Research Park. 3.Landscape along sidewalks need improvement, assure a comfortable walking experience. 4.Natural trails are needed to connect the White Creek Greenway, in order to complete a trail system from main campus on the northeast and Bush Library and Research Park on the Southwest. 5.Trails should connect the White Creek and Greenway to AGLS building to allow convenience access to greenway.

2.Trails through vegetation need regular maintenance to provide sufficient clearance. At a minimum a hiking trail should be cleared 1 foot beyond the width of the trail and to a height of 8 feet. This clearance may need to be increased to allow for vegetative growth. is used by cross country skiers (see Picture Below).

Photos of Trails on Site

Trails Near Floodplains

Trail needs to be 25 feet from Floodplain Boundary or 50 feet from the bank of any perennial or intermittent stream, whichever is greater.

Permeable Trail Paving Porous pavement may be used to meet water quality and water volume standards performance criteria. Design criteria for the porous pavement stone reservoir, drainage design and the under laying soils are similar as for infiltration devices. Additional design is required for designing the pattern, jointing and strength of the wearing course. Pavement design is based on foundation soil strength, projected traffic intensities and the storage capacity of the reservoir and base.porous asphalt both use the same mixing and application equipment.

Porous Asphalt Pedestrian path from AGLS building to garden.

Sidewalk on John Kimbrough Blvd on southeast of the garden.

Pedestrian path from parking lot 97 on northeast of the garden.

Surface and Drainage

1. The trail surface should maintain a natural surface wherever possible but should be firm enough to resist deformation when a person walks across it. 2. The cross slope should be 2% minimum and 5% maximum to provide drainage of surface water.

Trail Examples

Alignment and Profile

1. The hiking trail should follow the existing topography when possible. Long slopes and switchbacks should have level landing areas for rest stops.

Edge protection

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center trail through the wildflower garden uses a simple compacted ground paving showing a natural feeling.

Concrete paved trail works good in intensive gardens, it allow large traffic volume and shows modern feeling. the picture is a example from Cornell Plantation.

Along creek and wetland area, trail system wandering and interact with water will allow people to gain close contact with natural water features.

1. Edge protection is helpful to protect trail users from an adjacent steep slope or hazardous situation. It serves as a low barrier between the user and the surrounding conditions. 2. On pedestrian trails it is a small curb, usually made of wood, concrete or asphalt, that is a minimum of 3 inches high. 3. Bridges and boardwalks require a 36-inch high rail for pedestrians as well as a 3-inch high edge protection. Landscaping can be used to enhance the protection from steep slopes or other hazards.

Design Specifications

1. Traffic load, planters and landscape locations need to be considered with the paving design. 2. Test for foundation soils using California Bearing Ratio (CBR) or equivalent method. 3. Positive drainage is required with the use of under drains and edge drains within and washed, open-graded aggregate reservoir below the wearing course 4. Geo-synthetic fabric separation between stone reservoir and sub-grade soil may be required in soft soil situations.

Sources: http://frederickcountymd.gov/documents/451/629/Bikeway%20and%20Trails%20Design%20Standards.PDF

BIKE TRAIL DESIGN

Bike Trail Design Guidelines

Existing Bike Trails

GARDEN ENTRANCE DESIGN Entrance Examples:

Width and Clearance Mountain bike trails should have a clear width of 6 feet for maneuverability and passing. A minimum width of 4 feet should only be used when site specific conditions do not allow the preferred width. The clearance should be a minimum of 2 feet on each side of the trail, with a vertical clearance of 8 feet (see Picture Below).

Minor entrance can be landscape with signs or a small structure as gate to indicate arrival. Left picture is Warwick County Park in Pennsylvania.

Surface and Drainage

1. The trail surface should maintain a natural surface wherever possible but should be firm enough to resist deformation. 2. The cross slope should be 2% minimum and 5% maximum to provide drainage of surface water. When a trail is constructed on the side of a hill, it may be necessary to build a swale on the uphill side of the trail.

Legends:

Existing Condition: Site Study Campus Street (with existing painted bike lane) Campus bikeway on sidewalks/malls College Station Published Bike ways Bryan Published Bike ways

Sources:http://transport.tamu.edu/bicycles.aspx

1. There is only a bike lane on the southeast side, John Kimbrough Blvd. 2. Existing bike lane is painted on the vehicular route, which is not safe for bikers. 3. Biking route is not continuous. and biking route does not go along greenway.

Alignment and Profile

1. Mountain bike trails typically follow the existing contour of the land. 2. A variety of trail terrain is part of the challenge and appeal of mountain biking. Extra clearance width should be provided at curves for sufficient sight distance and safety. 3. In heavy vegetative growth, near a curve, the recommended clearance is 4 feet on each side of the trail, which is double the 2 foot standard clearance.

Edge Protection

Edge protection is a physical barrier along the edge of the trail designed to protect the user from an adjacent hazardous condition. Edge protection for bicyclists needs to be 42 inches high.

Entrance from John Kimbrough Blvd, which is a major traffic route, can function as main entrance. Modern style landscape and more formal signage or focal point. Scale: 1â&#x20AC;?=0.13Mile

Legends: Existing main entrance, directing visitor from AGSL building and grass building to the garden. Existing entrance trail from parking lot to the garden, the trail is disconnected and in poor condition. Propose entrance connecting sidewalk in front of Horticulture building, direct visitors from pedestrian zone.

Proposed entrance 3 is designated as a wetland demonstration area.

Propose entrance connecting Aggie Farm. Propose entrance connecting the newly planned students housing complex. Discovery Drive is the connection to research park, westwood airport. Propose entrance can allow more convenient access for outside visitors. New building is under construction across the street. Propose entrance connect the new building will attract students, faculty and staff to the garden.

Proposed entrance 7 is designated as visitor center. This example is Visitor Center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

NEARBY CAMPUS PARKING LOTS Legends: Study Site Parking Lot spots <200

200-300

300-400

400-500

500-1000

>1000

Potential students visitors (with parking permit) Scale: 1â&#x20AC;?=0.3 ft 86

Parking for Potential outside visitors

PARKING ANALYSIS Existing Visitors Parking

Sustainability Practices and Solar Energy Use Authors: Qingshu Wang

Table of Contents:

Problems:

Exsiting visitor parking spot number near study site is only 77, among with only 22 has a direct access to the site.

Bus and Goods Vehicle Parking

Notes: 1) Buses mean a vehicle carry more than 16 passengers and their personal effects. 2) Light buses mean a vehicle carry less than 16 passengers and their personal effects.

Tailgate and RV Parking at Texas A&M University

E.D. Olsen Park

Penberthy Park

Stormwater Issue and Low Impact Development Stormwater Calculation Stormwater Issue Low Impact Design(LID) Strategies Low Impact Development Practice Techniques

Proposed LID Techniques Map LID Techniques Examples

Study Area Year Round Solar Energy

Solar Energy Techniques Solar Energy Lighting Solar-powered Trash Compactor Texas A&M First Solar Energy System

Purpose: 1. Improve stormwater conditions and propose stormwater management. 2. Propose for LID techniques demonstrations. 3. Apply new energy: solar energy use.

STORMWATER ISSUE AND LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT Stormwater Calculation Green Space: Area=31.5 acres; runoff coefficient=0.25 Concrete: Area=5.9 acres; runoff coefficient=0.3 Roof: Area=2.9 acres; runoff coefficient=0.95 Composite runoff coefficient=(0.25x31.5+0.3x5.9+0.95x2.9)/40.3

Stormwater Issue Less developed land areas allow a larger portion of storm water to seep gradually into soils, remove contaminants, replenish soil moisture, and recharge groundwater aquifers. As areas become developed, a much larger percentage of rainwater hits impervious surfaces including roofs, sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, and streets, and must be controlled through storm water management techniques. Traditional approaches have focused on collection and conveyance of surface runoff, which may cause flooding or transportation of surface pollutant to natural channel. New requirements have attempted to address water quality, erosion, flow volume, and other problems created by common conveyance methods, the cost and complexity of these engineered systems has increased.

Low Impact Design(LID) Strategies Low Impact Development (LID) strive to allow natural infiltration to occur as close as possible to the original amount of rainfall. By engineering terrain, vegetation, and soil features to perform this function, landscape can retain more of its natural hydrological function. LID strategies addressing water quality fall under the two broad categories of Practices and Site Design.

= 0.31

Practices: Creating a series of smaller retention/detention areas that allow localized filtration 1) Reduce the volume of runoff. 2) Decentralize flows.

Post-Development: According to the current site development condition 10 Year Flood: Peak Storm Quantity=65.47cfs; Total Storm Quantity=42153.57cfs 50 Year Flood: Peak Storm Quantity=95.69cfs; Total Storm Quantity=61609.06cfs

Pre-Development: Assume the whole area is vegetated. 10 Year Flood: Peak Storm Quantity=80.59cfs; Total Storm Quantity=51888.75cfs 50 Year Flood: Peak Storm Quantity=117.79cfs; Total Storm Quantity=75837.41cfs

Bio-retention cells: consist of grass buffers, sand beds, a ponding area

for excess runoff storage, organic layers, planting soil and vegetation. Purpose is to provide a storage area, away from buildings and roadways, where storm water collects and filters into the soil. Vegetated swales: Swales grew with grasses or other vegetation. Purpose is to reduce runoff velocity and allow filtration. Filter strips: Landscape features within parking lots or other areas. Purpose is to collect flow from large impervious surfaces, and direct water into vegetated quantity detention areas or special sand filters to filtration and slowly be discharged. Disconnected impervious areas: Direct water flows into separate localized detention cells instead of combining it in drainpipes with other runoff. Purpose is to limits the velocity and overall amount of conveyed water. Cistern collection systems: Designed containers to store rainwater for dry-period irrigation, rather than channelling it to streams. Purpose is to use water for irrigation or recycle.

Site Design: The strategy is to address water quality and avoid

stormwater runoff problems and water table depletion, by reducing surfaces that prevent natural filtration.

Permeable Pavement Surfaces: Can be constructed from

a variety of materials, including traditional asphalt and concrete, gravel or pavers. Purpose is allowing water to flow through, replenishing soil areas directly beneath. Vegetative Roof Systems: Lightweight, permeable vegetative surface on an impervious roof area. Purpose is to reduce runoff and create pleasing roof landscape. Natural Resource Preservation and Xeriscapingâ&#x201E;˘: Apply certain kinds of vegetation in planting design. Purpose is to minimize the need for irrigation systems and enhance property values.

LID Techniques Examples

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE TECHNIQUES

Filter Strips (for Parking Lot) Site Photo: Existing parking lot 74

Proposed LID Techniques Map

Bio-swale This left photo is an example of filtration strip in parking lot, gravels in the planting beds will help with runoff infiltration.

Existing swale on site, locates between building and White Creek greenway, which need landsacpe improvement.

Bio-swale can be apply along driveway to meet the purpose of treat ing runoff from road. This is a natural style landscape.

Example of urban style bio-swale landscaping.

Legends: Study Site Filter Strips

Example of parking lot filtration strip layout and section.

Biorentention Planter

Example of filtration strip in parking lot, plants used in the strip should be both drought and wet tolerant.

Bio-swale section example.

Porous Paving

The left picture is an example of typical porous pavement detail section.

Bioretention Planter Bio-swale

Site Photo: Lanscape in front of AGLS building, Proposed courtyard between buildings.

Rainwater Harvest

Bioretention vegetated planter can be applied to formal intensive garden. For example, the plaza in front of AGLS building, and the intensive garden in the courtyard A cross section of bioretention cell. Planting proposed and grave bed helps runoff infiltration and between buildings. purification.

Porous Paving Xeriscaping

Exisiting sidewalk along Horticulture Road John Kimbrough Blvd.

Rainwater Harvesting

Existing rainwater harvesting device. lack of showcase signage or graphic to demonstrate the process.

The right photo is an example of a graphic demostration of a rainwater harvesting.

N.T.S

Left photo is a section example of porous paving in parking lot.

Porous pavement

Xeriscaping Cista is a rain water harvesting system, which is also a vertical greenwall that allowing water conservation and increased green space.

Rainwater harvesting system also can be applied in small structure or building ,for example a greenhouse, a outdoor classroom structure, etc.

Xeriscape Landscaping Principles: • Planning and design • Soil analysis • Practical turf areas • Appropriate plant selection • Efficient irrigation • Use of mulches • Appropriate maintenance

Porous asphalt Placing mulches on planting areas to reduce evaporation water loss and increase the water penetration during irrigations.

Turfgrasses use need carefully plan, It is Appropriate planting keeps landscape important to avoid long, narrow turf area, more in tune with the natural environment, which will cause difficulty for mowing. and require less maintenance.

Sources: http://www.toolbase.org/technology-inventory/site work/low-impact-development, Google Image, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/xeriscape.html

STUDY AREA YEAR ROUND SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR ENERGY USE Photovoltaic (PV) Electric Systems

Legends: Solar Energy (watts per Hour at 1 square meter)

Photo voltaic systems use solar cells to capture the sun rays and convert that energy into electricity. Such systems allow homeowners to generate electricity in a clean, reliable, and quiet way that can offset the cost of future electricity costs and decrease their dependence on the energy grid.

Solar Light Products Weight: 1lb Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 9 in Charging Time: 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 hours Hours of Operation: 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 hours

Weight: 27KGS Dimensions: 60X34X42CM Solar Panel: Polycrystllian(2Wp/1.5Wp). Work Time: 12 hours

Solar Street Light Product Solar Energy Lighting

Solar Sign Lights: are mounted onto signs and name boards, light up sign-boards advertisement boards etc, during night and can be used anywhere without the hassles of a power line. Solar sign lights are sturdy, weather proof and give you 100,000 hours of light. Commercial Product Example

Solar Sign Light Compose Sources: http://www.findsolar.com/, http://1stlightenergy.com/, http://www.siliconsolar.com, http://www.noorpower.com/solar/solarstreet.html, http://www.wm.com/

Solar-powered Trash Compactor Specifics • Helps keep public spaces clean and can reduce trash collections by up to 80%. • Can hold 150 gallons of trash (about ﬁve times the volume of ordinary streetside trash receptacles) • Gets 100% of its energy from the sun and uses less than ﬁve watt hours/day • Works in cold weather, hot weather.

Ag Culture & Heritage Author: Wenjie Zhao

Table of Contents: Right photo is a solar trash compactor which has been customized with educational signs to help visitors learn about energy saving.

Texas A&M First Solar Energy System On March 28, 2011. After only a few weeks of construction, a 27.6-kW photovoltaic solar panel array appeared on the previously unused rooftop of the Netum Steed building.

Photovoltaic energy systems use the energy in sunlight to directly generate electricity. The basic system components are solar cells to convert energy from the sun into a flow of electrons, an inverter to convert the DC power produced by the cell to AC power needed to feed the energy to the electric grid, and metering and cables to connect all of the parts. Sources: http://www.findsolar.com/, http://1stlightenergy.com/, http://www.siliconsolar.com, http://www.noorpower.com/solar/solarstreet.html, http://www.wm.com/

AgriLife Heritage and Education Center

The Grove Criteria Background Ag Culture & Heritage The Grove Examples Design Criterias Wildflower Meadow Benefits of Wildflower Meadow Examples Steps to Establishing Meadows Grasses Things to Consider Focal Points Function of Focal Points

100

Purpose: 1. Understand different aspects of Ag Culture and Heritage 2. How to show Ag Culture and Heritage 3. Learn from other projects

Water Resource Importance of Water Resources Rainwater Harvesting Rainwater Harvesting Uses Rainwater Harvesting Uses on Campus Drip Irrigation Brief History of Windmills Windmill for Agriculture How A Windmill Works

104

Case study - heartland harvest garden

107

AGRILIFE HERITAGE AND EDUCATION CENTER The AgriLife Heritage and Education Center celebrates the spirit, heritage, traditions, and accomplishments of Texas A&M AgriLife. The AgriLife Center’s exhibitions invite diverse audiences, from across Texas, the nation, and around the world, to explore the many facets of AgriLife’s network of agencies including the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M, Extension Service, Research, Forest Service, and the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. The exhibition spotlights the early history of TAMU’s Land Grant Mission beginning in 1876 and continues that story over more than a century to the present. Through innovative multimedia exhibits, specimen displays, manipulatives, and a heritage timeline, visitors discover AgriLife’s history as well as its ground-breaking programs and initiatives to advance the future of agriculture, life science, sustainability, and food safety in the 21st century. The AgriLife Center’s exhibits allow visitors to explore the great diversity of programs, research, and outreach; and gain a fuller understanding of the dynamic depth and breath of the AgriLife organization and its activities.

There are four thematic areas at the AgriLife Heritage and Education Center. There are 1. Food, Feed and Fiber, 2. People First, 3. Natural Resources, 4. Emerging Issues.

Food, Feed and Fiber Food, Feed, and Fiber explores the research, innovation, and outreach of AgriLife programs concerned with food safety, agricultural and livestock production, and the impact on human health and prosperity in Texas and around the world. Like the other three principal thematic areas, Food, Feed, and Fiber will juxtapose the past and the present, showing how TAMU’s early land grant mission in Texas has transformed into a wider mission to bring new and innovative solutions to the world.

People First In this thematic area, a rounded space is suggested by two groupings of concave and convex acrylic panels, together with the media band that carries the title of this area: People First. This space provides additional opportunities for presenting exhibit tables that incorporate living things. As in the other thematic areas, two multi-touch tables are placed on either side of a table devoted to student/faculty projects and/or living exhibits. The focus of this area is on the welfare of the public at large and the research and programs of AgriLife that foster wellness and safety of world populations. It will also highlight the AgriLife programs that educate and enrich the lives of youth, famiilies and communities in Texas and globally. The media band and acrylic etched panels will show images of AgriLife programs including 4-H programs, family and community workshops and educational programs in Texas, as well as programs around the world. Images of children, mothers, fathers, Africans, Latin Americans, Americans and others will convey the breath of AgriLife’s work. A vision of a healthy world population of the future using the innovations of the AgriLife network will be presented.

Sources: AgriLife Heritage and Education Center Report

Natural Resources

Land Grant Mission

In the Natural Resources thematic area, presented opposite of the Food, Feed, and Fiber exhibit, the general design approach will be similar to the other thematic areas. A new component appears on this side of the exhibition space in both the Natural Resources and beyond in the People First thematic area. It is a modular display case installation for exhibiting animal or plant specimens, or other artifacts related the thematic content of these exhibit areas.

On July 2, 1862, in the midst of a nation torn by a civil war, strife and dissent, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law. The act made higher education a possibility for all people in every state. It paved the way to create our own Texas A&M University, and became the foundation of an unparalleled educational and scientific land-grant system with the addition of agricultural experiment stations (Hatch Act, 1887) and the cooperative extension service (Smith-Lever Act, 1914).

Emerging Issues The Emerging Issues area will explore the AgriLife network’s cutting-edge developments and research dealing with feeding a growing world population, providing energy alternatives and protecting our environment. It will also present the work done by researchers in labs and in the field helping to find solutions Visitors will be inspired by the possibilities and begin to imagine what their future might be.

Today, we live the land-grant mission through our teaching, research, extension and service across Texas, our nation and the world. The landgrant system promises a different kind of independence for millions of people. The education, discovery and service provided by the land-grant system gives us the ability to be free in thought, in opportunity, in dreams and to strive for a better world. “The land-grant university system is being built on behalf of the people, who have invested in these public universities their hopes, their support, and their confidence.” --President Lincoln.

Heritage Timeline The Heritage Timeline will present the history and future of the AgriLife network. It will chronicle the accomplishments of generations of students, faculty and staff, using a combination of historic stills, video, audio, music and moving text. Through these elements, the Heritage Timeline will build a dramatic and moving presentation that communicates the key accomplishments and goals of AgriLife research and outreach. The Heritage Timeline will present the arc of AgriLife’s key personalities and accomplishments in a kind of “timelapse” format that allows visitors to grasp the key essentials of the story and be inspired by the AgriLife story.

THE GROVE CRITERIA Background As a green space near AgriLife Building Complex on west campus, it needs to show Ag Culture and Heritage to accommodate a wide array of potential guests to this site, and to communicate with them as they approach the site from different distances.

The Grove Examples

Sarachchandra Open Air Theatre, University of Peradeniya

This performance space is a simple semi-circular called the orchestra. Spectators sit in the stone steps created at a slope of which produce a natural theatron, or “watching place”. Still, most of the dramas shown in the University of Peradeniya use Sarachchandra open air theatre as their venue.

The Amphitheater in Keehner Park, West Chester, OH

Erected in 1942, The Grove was a small open-air theater that was most commonly used for yell practices, Ring Dance and movies. The Grove has also been the site for the Rocky Horror Picture Show, concerts, socials and dances. If a football game is an away game, a yell called an Arch (or Grove) Yell is held on campus the Thursday before the game, and a Midnight yell is held in a location in the away city. Grove yells were held at The Grove, an outdoor theater near the MSC.

Each year, the amphitheater is home to the Fifth Third West Chester Concert Series, as well as other community-sponsored outdoor performances. Activities at the Amphitheater are free and open to the public. Lawn seating is provided, or guests are welcome to bring along a blanket or lawn chair.

Amphitheater in Munich’s Englischer Garten

1.Amphitheater structure: Needs to be modern and aesthetically pleasing. Needs to accommodate a larger stage and backstage area, and to last more years.

3.Seating area: The capacity needs to be 150 to 200 people. Seats need to be comfortable. Variety of seating (e.g. grass lawn, seat walls, or movable chairs) has to be included. Make good use of the existing topography as much as possible. 4.Retractable sun shade: Needs to protect the audience from the sun and rain. It could be mechanically and manually operable, fast-deploying, and easy to store when not in use. The stage could also be covered with a large performance roof structure for shade.

7.Material: Water resistant, very durable, could be a combination of masonry, stone and pre-finished metal panels, requiring little or no maintenance.

Suggested Design Section

Perennial meadows are often established on brownfield sites, areas that have unusual site conditions such as very alkaline soil. The species are less showy but are often very important for their habitat value and rarity. Management is key to the success of both types of meadows.

Benefits of Wildflower Meadow •Wildflower meadows are a great way to reduce the maintenance needs of a large yard, restore an unkempt field, or simply develop natural, lowmaintenance landscaping. • A wildflower meadow will help to manage stormwater, filter stormwater, promote groundwater infiltration and even prevent flooding. • Developing a meadow can reduce lawn space, minimizing theamount of fertilizers and chemicals used in lawn care. • Wildflower meadows are particularly suitable for steep slopes, where they can prevent erosion and reduce the need for mowing or landscaping. • To create a successful wildflower meadow, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of plant succession -- the process by which one community is replaced by another until a self-sustaining or climax community is achieved. In many parts of Connecticut, an oak, hickory and hemlock forest represents the climax community. A disturbed area with exposed soil is first colonized by annual plants followed by perennials, shrubs and then finally tree species. Unless the annual/perennial stage is maintained, the meadow will soon be inhabited by tree and shrub species. • Additionally, a good meadow increases biodiversity, resulting in fewer pest and disease problems, and greates attraction to wildlife.

In 2003, the once well-known social gathering place was demolished due to unsafe conditions.

100 Sources: Google Images;

Wildflower meadows offer a diverse, and exceptionally attractive, habitat for the pleasure of young and old alike. There are two main types of wildflower meadows - annual and perennial. The annual meadow is the pretty one - poppies, corncockles and other wildflowers that give a colourful display in summer. This is the one chosen by most people who want to encourage wildlife into their landscape and have an attractive feature to boot.

6. Others: Provide space for vendors, concessions and portable restrooms

Former students who spent numerous nights at The Grove recall that movies shown at The Grove were once a major event.

The Old Ags want to rebuild a social gathering space like the grove. It could attract more visitors and students to come to the site. Additionally, it could also be as a focal point for the site.

Functional Requirements

5.Loading areas and storage space

When visitors are walking through the Gardens and Greenway, they will know that they have experienced Agriculture without having a designated section for Ag Culture and Heritage awareness.

The Grove

Wildflower Meadow

2.Sound and lighting: Needs to be modernized. Sound has to reach the entire audience, and lighting has to be versatile to accommodate a variety of shows.

Ag Culture & Heritage Ag culture and heritage is one of the four core functions to illustrate and interpret the importance of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Visitors will visually encounter agriculture throughout the Gardens and Greenway; its historical significance to Texas and Texas A&M, as well as, its value today in the urban environment. One focus would be food security as an emerging societal issue. With the interest in home and small-acreage fruit and vegetable production increasing rapidly, the Gardens and Greenway could become a center for education, demonstration, and participation in urban farming, local foods, and farmers markets.

The Grove Design Criteria

An amphitheater incorporates it into the landscape. The current conditions consist of a sloped lawn, however the slope doesn’t really pick up directly in front of the stage so a seating similar to above could be incorporated .

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THE GROVE CRITERIA (cont.)

Focal Points

Wildflower Meadow Examples

Steps to Establishing Meadows

Sarachchandra Open Air Theatre, University of Peradeniya

1. Site Selection: Choose a site with full sun, or at least six hours a day. It should have good air movement. This helps keep diseases down, and the movement in wind will make plants sturdier, stems stronger. The site should have few weeds. An already cultivated site such as a field or garden plot is ideal. A lawn can work too.

The park is located on the north bank of the Thames, in the Silvertown area of London’s docklands. Unlike London’s historic royal parks, the Thames Barrier Park is of contemporary design, having been built in 1995 with a postmodern aesthetic. The Thames Barrier is an awesome piece of engineering built in 1982 to prevent The Thames from the very real risk of a catastrophic major flood including investigation of soil conditions, choice of suitable plant cover, recreational assessments of the areas and suggested management options for the sites.

Amphitheater in Munich’s Englischer Garten

2. Plant Selection: A successful wildflower meadow is a complex, interactive plant community. Choose a mixture of native species that, over a period of time, will naturally sort themselves out; the species best adapted to the site will be the ones that thrive after the first few years. Inventory the site and its microhabitats, such as wet, low-lying areas, shady areas, or open fields, and determine the species best suited to and most likely to succeed in each area. Plant selection is important for long bloom. Soil type is not as important as whether the site is dry or moist. Meadows that are too wet will quickly revert to trees and shrubs, or wetland species such as sedges. The key is to have a diversity of species, as found in nature, with a mix of graminoides (grasses and grass-like plants) and forbs (flowering meadow wildflowers). 3. Site Preparation: This is the step often overlooked, yet the key to success or failure. Since these wildflowers are usually less competitive than weeds, the site should contain no weeds or weed seeds.

A focal point adds interest to a garden or park by drawing the gaze of an observer. If a garden is large, you may want to incorporate more than one focal point object to guide people’s eyes to interesting areas of your yard. However, a small yardshould only have one focal point to keep the garden from feelingbusy or cluttered. Focal points can be large or small, natural or man-made.

Function of Focal Points Artistic Elements as Focal Points Statues, pots, structures, benches, arbors, birdbaths, sundials - basically anything nonliving that draws attention to themselves, anything from a garden/park bench to a statue, a bird feeder to a gazing ball, works as a focal point. Focal points don’t have to be stuffy and serious.

Plants as a Focal Point

2. Distracting the eye from something ‘less than desirable: - like a chimney, or a play structure, or a street sign, etc. 3. Focal Points as ‘mood makers: Depending on the item, they can set the stage for the garden/ park; whether it’s whimsical, serene, restful or cheery. Most anything can become a focal point. Figure out its purpose, and the mood you’re trying to create.

A single, attractive plant or a group of plants in one area can serve as a focal point. Large plants with interesting flowers, like angel’s trumpet, will draw the eye, as will plants with nice forms like Japanese maples or weeping cherries. Groups of plants with a bright color like impatiens or coleus make a good focal point in a garden bed. Topiaries also beg to be noticed.

4. Sowing or Planting

1. Controling the Eye’s Line of Sight: This is the main function of focal points dictating where visitors should look. No matter the size of a garden, if there’s no focal point the viewer is left to visually navigate it on their own.

Focal Points on Campus

A Frog Siting on an Old Garden sundials Wood Stump Fountain

5. Post-planting management

Steps to Establishing Meadows Most meadow and prairie managers recommend that native grasses make up 50 to 80 percent of the meadow species. Grasses have several functions: • They provide support and protection for tall flowers; • They fill in spaces around wildflowers otherwise occupied by weeds; • They add color and texture to the landscape; • They prevent soil erosion; • They to provide food and cover for wildlife. Following a site and soil analysis, they custom-blended a native Massachusetts seed mix that was 60% wildflower and 40% tall grass mix. Previous to this, the site was stripped out and compacted due to the house’s construction. With the addition of compost, they increased the fertility of the site. This seed mix was custom blended to give four season interest, attract wildlife, and be self-sustaining. This meadow will morph over the first few years then reach a point of homeostasis.

102 Sources: Google Images;

Aggie ring sculpture behind Clayton Williams Alumni Center Single Tree as A Focal Point in Japanese Garden

Garden sundials

Evergreen Tree Color Tree as A Focal Point

Formal Fountain

Things to Consider Some plants bloom in early spring, others in late summer, and some bloom for several months. There are short wildflowers and some that reach four or five feet tall. You don’t want to plant tall varieties that may obstruct your view of other areas. On the other hand, you can use tall varieties to screen off areas you wish to hide . You can create a mix of plants that bloom from early spring all the way into the fall. Selecting species that bloom at different times can ensure that you have flowers throughout the growing season. The more species in the mix, the more variety you will have in flowers.

Century Tree as A Landmark on Texas A&M Campus 103

WATER RESOURCES

Rain Garden

Importance of Water Resources

Rainwater Harvesting

Humans depend on water in many ways, well beyond the few liters needed daily for drinking. Water is also essential for the production of food. Worldwide, the application of water and its managed use has been an essential factor in raising productivity of agriculture and ensuring predictability in outputs. Water is essential to bring forth the potential of the land and to enable improved varieties of both plants and animals to make full use of other yield-enhancing production factors. By raising productivity, sustainable water management (especially when combined with adequate soil husbandry) helps to ensure better production both for direct consumption and for commercial disposal, so enhancing the generation of necessary economic surpluses for uplifting rural economies.

Rainwater harvesting is an ancient technique enjoying a revival in popularity due to the inherent quality of rainwater and interest in reducing consumption of treated water. Texas water supply planning process has identified that surface and groundwater supplies will not be able to meet future water demand. Implementing rainwater harvesting techniques directly benefits our state by reducing demand on the water supply, and reducing run-off, erosion, and contamination of surface water.

Rain-fed Agriculture

One of the primary ways in which humans use water is by planting important crops in places where they can capture natural rainfall as rain-fed agriculture.

Irrigation

Because agricultural crops are so dependent on water, purposely adding water, beyond what naturally falls as rain, is widely practiced to increase agricultural production. This critical practice is known as irrigation.

Landscaping One of the easiest ways to use stored rainwater is for landscaping. Rainwater is good for plants because it is free of salts and other minerals that harm root growth. As rainwater percolates into the soil, it forces salts down and away from root zones, allowing roots to grow better and making plants more drought tolerant.

Water-Supply Constraints

In every irrigated region, water supplies are a limitation on further expansion of irrigated agriculture.

Agriculture and Water Quality

The quality of water entering an agriculture area is extremely important for agriculture success. Too often, water quality is not suitable for agriculture uses. High salt concentrations limit the amount of water a plant can take up, resulting in high plant stress and decreased crop yields. High concentrations of metal also have negative effects on crop production.

Hydroponic Production

Hydroponics is a method of gardening without soil. Instead of soil, plants are grown in chemical nutrient solutions and supported by porous materials such as peat moss and sand. The most commonly grown hydroponic produce are tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, cucumbers, and peppers.

Wildlife With increased enthusiasm for wildlife comes a growing economic potential for landowners to offer nature-based tourism. One underused method for attracting wildlife is the installation of watering devices to provide a supplemental source of water for animals. Land managers are also harvesting rainwater to better distribute water on the landscape, thus increasing the amount of usable space for wildlife.

Cistern/Rain Garden

Rangeland Watersheds The precipitation that falls on Texas rangeland is a major source of surface flow and aquifer recharge. The management of rangelands can have major impacts on the water available in Texas. Rangeland in a state of good health will provide Texans with a high quality water source, promote infiltration for ground water recharge, filter overland flow of water, provide forage for livestock production, and provide wildlife habitat.

Rainwater Harvesting Uses on Campus

Sources: Google Images; http://chronicle.com/blogs/buildings/texas-a-m-dedicates-a-2-building-physics-complex/9081; http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/A-Bi/

104 Agriculture-and-Water.html

A raingarden is an approach that can prevent flooding and erosion and turn stormwater problems into water supply assets by slowing run-off and allowing it to soak into the ground. They provide a habitat for many animals including birds, butterflies and other insects.

A two-story canopy runs parallel to the Agriculture and Life Sciences building, creating shade as well as representing the building’s green features. The pillars of the canopy are actually four 9,000–gallon water cisterns. Roof runoff and rainwater will drain into a 40,000– gallon underground tank, and will be used for irrigating vegetation around the complex.

Cistern Canopy and Rainwater Capture

There is a 30,000/LSB Intrtdiciplinary Life Science Building. cistern under the rain garden. Rainwater from the roof and other parts of the building feed the cistern. The condensate from the building’s air conditioning units also drain into the cistern. The water in the cistern feeds the conventional sprinkler system.

Rooftop Garden A rainwater-harvested irrigated garden is located on the third floor of the Mitchell Physics Building at Texas A&M University. Rainwater harvesting equipment mounted on the building irrigated all of the building’s landscape.

105

WATER RESOURCES (cont.) Drip Irrigation

Brief History of Windmills

Drip irrigation (sometimes called trickle irrigation) works by applying water slowly, directly to the soil.

Windmills have been around since the Middle Ages. The first recorded evidence of windmills being used for pumping water and grinding grain was in 7 AD in Persia. Then China got ahold of the idea and it spread to Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. The European mill appears to have developed independently from the others because the design is so different. The predecessor to our modern windmill dates back to France in 1105 and England in 1180. In the 14th century, the Dutch took windmills to a whole new level with their “tower” mills using canvas sails stretched across four wooden lattice frames like a big X. Their objective was moving enormous amounts of water into higher basins and canals. By the end of the 16th century thousands of windmills were pumping and grinding in western Europe. By the late 19th century, the count was 30,000—and, miraculously, there was still enough wind to go around.

Advantages & Benefits of Drip Irrigation Systems 1. Water Conservation: Drip irrigation systems allow an efficient watering by supplying water at the very roots of the plants. 2. Reduce Weed Growth: Since a drip irrigation system applies water to the root zone of plants, the spaces in between plants remain dry. This greatly inhibits weed seed germination. Landscape maintenance takes less time with a drip irrigation system. 3. Reduce Plant Stress: When plants get deep, consistent watering, they thrive. Inefficient, shallow watering can contribute to plant stress. Promote healthy growth and disease resistance plants in garden with a drip irrigation system. 4. Extremely Flexible Application: There are many options with drip irrigation tubing, fittings, and emitters. It is a versatile watering system which can easily be installed on hillsides or flat terrains. A drip irrigation system is the perfect irrigationmethod for oddly shaped landscapes and windy areas. Existing sprinkler systems can be retrofit with drip irrigation with very little effort.

CASE STUDY - HEARTLAND HARVEST GARDEN The American west was well suited for the raising of livestock. The one serious problem most ranchers faced was access to a satisfactory supply of water. Some of the larger wooden windmills could lift water 100M. It would take another 30 years for the large steel windmills to be developed that could dependably pump water from the deep wells that were necessary to reach water in the South Western states. Eventually, after much development work, the American windmill was being used to successfully pump water from wells more that 400M deep.

This garden’s blue and gold color scheme showcases both flowers and fruit, ranging from the intense fragrance of the clove currant’s yellow blooms in spring to blue plums and yellow pawpaws and floweringquince fruit in fall. The formal beds rotate three times a year, with unique plantings for spring, summer and fall. The greenhouse is where tropical plants provide many of your favorite breakfast foods. The Quilt Gardens

Overview Location: 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061 Coordinate: 38.873361, -94.042454 Area: 12 Acres Year Established: 2009 Website: http://powellgardens.org/page. aspx?pid=475

The development of the water-pumping windmill in the USA was the major factor in allowing the farming and ranching of vast areas of North America, which were otherwise devoid of readily accessible water. They contributed to the expansion of rail transport systems by pumping water from wells to supply the needs of the steam locomotives of those early times.

Introduction The Heartland Harvest Garden is America’s largest edible landscape where every tree, shrub, flower and groundcover is part of the story of where our food originates.

Brief History of Windmills

106 Sources: Google Images;http://www.irrigationtutorials.com/dripguide.htm; http://www.aermotorwindmill.com/

even some plants on trial for the future. Don’t forget to taste a sample of the garden’s produce at the Tasting Station. A visit to the Missouri Barn’s silo observation deck can overlook the whole garden and allow you to see its quilt like patterns. The Entrance Gardens

How A Windmill Works

In 1854, a machinist in Connecticut was asked by a traveling salesman to invent a windmill for pumping water and for other uses. His windmill had a selfgoverning design. This means that it automatically turned to face changing wind directions and that it automatically controlled its own speed of operation.

The windmill was designed to replace animal power in the grinding of grain. A mill could grind up to 1,000 bushels of grain a week, six bushels per hour if the wind was steady.

How A Windmill Works

The wind hits the blades of the windmill at a diagonal angle and is channeled along the curve of the blade to the side. This moving air pushes the blade in the opposite direction, causing it to spin. At the same time, the moving air creates a low-pressure area at the front of blade, creating lift that pulls the blade forward.

From seed to plate, the Heartland Harvest Garden is an adventure in learning in a garden designed to satisfy all the senses. As you explore the fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts and so much more you may often find yourself saying, “Oh that’s the plant where that (food) comes from!” You will see a wide range of edible varieties from heirloom and modern to Sources: http://www.powellgardens.org/page.aspx?pid=475

Old Missouri Crops Garden: Here are the major crops of the Midwest, beginning with the greenery of winter wheat, followed in spring by oats, rye and barley. In summer the crop rotates to sunflowers, soybeans, beds of corn and sorghum and southern crops as peanuts, cotton, rice and sesame.your favorite breakfast foods. Missouri Star Orchard Garden: This garden provides backyardsized spaces anchored by four arbors. The harvest starts from the ground up with strawberries and herbs serving as groundcover. Blueberry, gooseberry and elderberry bushes grow alongside trellised raspberries and blackberries.

107

CASE STUDY - HEARTLAND HARVEST GARDEN (cont.) Kansas Star Forage Crops Garden: Rich rangelands pastures are where the grasses and legumes are used for cattle forage. Villandry Quilt Garden: Vegetables are other edibles are planted three times each year for spring, summer and autumn harvest.

Peach Plaza: Peach Plaza dazzles in its riotous pink bloom in early spring and in mid- to late summer. Visitors drool over the trees draped in delectable, golden fruit. Missouri Barn & Kitchen Garden

Tourism Author: Wenjie Zhao

Missouri Barn & Kitchen Garden

Table of Contents:

The barn’s silo is an observation deck to look out over the garden and see its beautiful patchwork quilt designs. Herbs are displayed like perennials in long garden borders, each with its own theme. The fruit trees include peaches, pears, apples, plums, cherries and even an impenetrable row of hardy oranges. This space makes it easy for chefs to quickly harvest something directly for their cooking demonstrations next door.

A central walk bisects rows of grapes, ending at a wine cask fountain set under a beautiful rose and grape-clad arbor reminiscent of a garden in paradise. Each row has a different theme, beginning with purple, multi-use seeded grapes used for making jams, jellies and juice. Missouri Barn & Kitchen Garden

Tourism -- Potential User Group

108

Definition Targeted Elementary/Private School Targeted Intermediate/Middle/High School Map of Universities around Study Site Targeted Universities Map of Nearby Amenities to Study Site in College Station Targeted User Groups From George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Maps of Communties according to Zip Code

Orchard Demonstration Gardens

Population Demographics Water Conservation Courtyard, splash in the water to learn how the water cycle works and pick up tips on conserving this precious resource.

Tourism -- Marketing

113

Tutti Frutti Maze,learn all about techniques for growing veggies. Find out the Worm Dig to learn about how these wiggly worms can improve the soil, and the Caterpillar Courtyard, a great place to find out how to ttract caterpillars and butterflies.

Arboretums in Texas

114

Attractions in Bryan &College Station

118

Advertising Enhance Website

Apple Celebration Court: Follow the spiraling brick road to discover 50 of the most disease-resistant and flavorful apples for our region. The beds between this spiral walk showcase the diversity of apples that thrive here, their fragrant April bloom followed by colorful fruit in summer through fall. Pear Promenade: Here are the pears of the grocery store: ‘Bartlett,’ ‘Bosc’ and ‘D’Anjou,’ along with lesser known varieties. ‘Ubileen’ ripens earliest and ‘Kieffer’ is also produces here. 108 Sources: http://www.powellgardens.org/page.aspx?pid=475

The Insectaries Garden, This is the place to find out why we need bugs in gardens. Fun Foods & Extraordinary Vegetables Garden, Where you learn where favorite treats like chocolate, cola and root beer come from.

Purpose: 1. Find potantial user groups 2. Understand potantial of economic development 3. Learn from other projects

109

TOURISM -- POTENTIAL USER GROUPS Definition

Map of Universities around Study Site

Map of Nearby Amenities to Study Site in College Station

Targeted Intermediate/Middle/High School

Time From George Bush Presidential Library and Museum to Study Site:

Tourism: the business or industry of providing 1. A&M Consolidated High School, Grades 18. Rudder High School, Grades 9-12. information, accommodations, transportation, and 9-12. 19. Bryan Collegiate High School, Grades 9-12. other services to tourists. 2. College Station High School, Grades 9-10. 20. Hammond-Oliver High School for Human Sciences, Grades 9-12. The purpose to develop tourism in this site is to 3. A&M Consolidated Middle School, Grades 7-8. utilize the existing and potential resource including 21. Stephen F. Austin Middle School, Grades natural and human resource to add value to the 4. College Station Middle School, Grades 7-8. 6-8. White Creek and Greenway. At the same time, earn 5. Cypress Grove Intermediate School, 22. Arthur L. Davila Middle School, Grades 6-8. Grades 5-6. its public praise and own influence. The important 23. Jane Long Middle School, Grades 6-8. part for developing tourism is to make a sustainable 6. Oakwood Intermediate School, Grade 5-6. 24. Sam Rayburn Middle School, Grades 6-8. 17. Bryan High School, Grades 9-12. devloment in economy.

Legend

Number of Schools

Targeted Elementary/Private School

7. College Hills Elementary School, Grades K-4. 8. Creek View Elementary School, Grades K-4. 9. Forest Ridge Elementary School, Grades K-4. 10. Greens Prairie Elementary School , Grades K-4. 11. Pebble Creek Elementary School, Grades K-4. 12. Rock Prairie Elementary School, Grades PreK4. 13. South Knoll Elementary School, Grades PreK-4. 14. Southwood Valley Elementary School, Grades PreK-4. 15. Aggieland Country School: A Montessori School, Private School. Grades PreK-4. 16. Cornerstone Christian Academy, Private School. Grades K-6. 25. Bonham Elementary, Grades PreK-5. 26. Bowen Elementary, Grades K-5. 27. Branch Elementary, Grades K-5. 28. Crockett Elementary, Grades PreK-5. 29. Fannin Elementary, Grades K-5. 30. Henderson Elementary, Grades K-5. 31. Houston Elementary, Grades K-5. 32. Johnson Elementary, Grades K-5. 33. Jones Elementary, Grades Pre K-5. 34. Kemp Elementary, Grades K-5. 35. Milam Elementary, Grades PreK-5. 36. Mitchell Elementary, Grades K-5. 37. Navarro Elementary, Grades K-5. 38. Neal Elementary, Grades K-5.

By car: 4 mins By Bike: 5 mins Walking: 19 mins

Within 5 Miles: Elementary School: 4 Intermediate School: 1 High School: 1 Private School: 1 Within 10 Miles: Elementary School: 10 Middle School: 3 Intermediate School: 1 High School: 4 Private School: 5 Legend Study SIte

110 Sources: http://www.visitaggieland.com/About-BCS-Resources/Schools

5 Miles 10 Miles

N.T.S

Targeted Universities Within 100 Miles:

Texas Souther University, 83 miles. Baylor University, 79 miles. Rice University Campus, 84 miles. The University of Texas at Austin, 87 miles. Sam Houston State University, 46 miles.

Between 100 Miles and 250 Miles:

School 39. Sul Ross Elementary, Grades K-5. 40. Allen Academy, Private School. Grades PreK-12. 41. Brazos Christian School, Private School. Grades PreK-12. 42. St. Joseph Catholic School, Private School. Grades PreK-12. 43. St. Michael’s Episcopal School, Private School. 6 wks.-12 grade.

N.T.S

5 Mile

Southern Methodist University, 157 miles. Lamar University, 140 miles. University of North Texas, 187 miles. Abilene Christian University, 236 miles.

Legend Study Site Univeristy Within 100 Miles University Between 100 and 250 Miles

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Agriculture and Life Sciences Building (Within the study site)

Targeted User Groups From George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Introducation

Potential User Groups

The museum reveals the unique influences and challenges that shaped Bush’s life and presidency through artifacts, films, photographs, documents, music and interactive video that creates a museum experience that is both educational and entertaining.

The museum also contains a classroom designed specifically for students from kindergarten through high school.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is also a research institution. Fully integrated into the academic environment of Texas A&M University, the library’s collections include more than 43 million pages of official and personal papers; 2 million photographs; 2,500 hours of videotape; and 100,000 museum objects

Visition Infomation Annual Visitors: Total 130,000 Students 35,000 Busy Season: Spring and Fall

111

TOURISM -- POTENTIAL USER GROUPS (cont.)

TOURISM -- MARKETING

Maps of Communties according to Zip Code

Advertising

Population Demographics

Advertise to potential user groups via Emails, posters, websites, or even student organization.

77845

80-84y

Total: 52,679 Households: 19,344 Median Age: 24.55

75-79y

77840

85+

Total: 58,627 Households: 21,810 Median Age: 25.59

70-74y

77803

65-69y

Total: 31,107 Households: 9,135 Median Age: 23.11

60-64 55-59y

77802

45-49y

Total: 23,536 Households: 9,971 Median Age: 24.79

40-44y

77801

50-54y

Total: 17,116 Households: 6,885 Median Age: 25.98

35-39y 30-34y

A majority of people ages are 15-29

25-29y 20-24y 15-19y 77845 77840 77803 77802 77801

10-14y 5-9y 0-4y 0

112 Sources: http://www.bhgrealestate.com/; http://maps.huge.info/zip.htm

2000

Enhance Website A checklist for creating a website like this: Site Function Introduction A brief introduction is necesscery to let people what the site is, what happens on site and what services the site provides. Some basic information is welcome. It will certainly be more convincing, if certain rating or reviews BBS can be engaged in the introduction. It is also helpful to include charges. 360° Visual Tour or Panorama Photo This is a technique to allow people to experience this site in a life like environment, and click a mouse to pan up, down and all around to navigate to another spot or move onto the next view. http://www.360villageinteractive.com/ Photo Galley Several simple images can better explain what the site looks like and what activities happen there. Photos are more direct and vivid than words. a. Activities: Photos of activity content, users and how fun or how comfortable the users can be will immediately bring up viewers’ interest.

b. Landscape: A beautiful landscape, especially for a site like the White Creek and Greenway, always bring about attention. That is always what people want to see. Showing photos of landscapes brings up people’s yearning for going to the site. c. Facilities: What the White Creek and Greenway can povide to visitors is another important aspect for attracting people. The dining services, recreation, education, etc. are all judging criteria of whether this site is worth experiencing. So showing evidence of provided facilities can be very helpful to attract visitors. Maps Digital maps of the project site are essentially helpful for website visitors. It helps them get to know the site better and helps them locate destinations. Visitors could also arrange their trips before they come. In addition, a very thoughtful idea is to make a website link between activities introduction and map information as a guide. Contact and Directions It will be quite considerate to provide detailed information about how visitors can contact the site and how they can get there. Usually contact will include: phone, fax, email, mailing address, working hours. Directions from major cities, airports and nearby towns, to the site will increase the conveniency for visitors to find the site, therefore increase attendance. Online Service Today, most people like to do everything online. For the White Creek and Greenway site, services such as online registration and online accounts will

surely provide more convenience for visitors. Events and News Publishing important events, activities, and special events online is an easy and effective way to advertise. Events are an important part for a project site like this for attracting more people, and establishing repeat customers for future events. Therefore, a clear and regularly updated events schedule is an absolute. Volunteer, Internship and Donation Attracting volunteers, internships and donations are critical methods to decrease expenditure. Additionally, volunteer work and internship programs could provide them a great experience. Offering this information online is a good way to attract attention from people who never come to visit the site. Survey and Rating Online surveys and rating systems are a perfect way to get feedback from visitors, and also an important reference for people who have not come yet. For marketing, it is always important to know what customers demands are. From the survey and rating information, the site could get a lot of suggestions for improvement. Others Some additional elements that can help improve a website are employment information, FAQ’s and answers, slogans, etc.

4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000

Sources: http://campozark.com/; Documents from Lakeview Project

113

ARBORETUMS IN TEXAS

Arboretum

Distance

Wetbsite

Within 100 Mile Zone Houston Arboretum and Nature Center - Houston

http://www.houstonarboretum.org/

Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum - Rice University, Houston

http://arboretum.rice.edu/

1. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens - Humble

87.4

Carleen Bright Arboretum - Woodway

http://mercerarboretum.org/

http://www.woodway-texas.com/lev1.cfm/9

2. Zilker Botanical Garden - Austin

108

http://www.zilkergarden.org/

3. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin

119

http://www.wildflower.org/

4. Armand Bayou Nature Center-Pasadena

121

http://www.abnc.org

5. Mast Arboretum - Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches

137

http://www.texasoutside.com/Nacogdoches/arboretum.htm

Ruth Bowling Nichols Arboretum - Cherokee County

140

http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=6998

East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society - Athens

145

http://www.eastexasarboretum.org/

6. San Antonio Botanical Garden - San Antonio

166

http://www.sabot.org/

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center - Orange

178

http://www.shangrilagardens.org/

7. Fort Worth Botanic Garden - Fort Worth

179

http://fwbg.org/

8. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden - Dallas

179

http://www.dallasarboretum.org/index.htm

Beaumont Botanical Gardens - Beaumont

159

http://www.beaumontbotanicalgardens.org/

Riverside Nature Center - Kerrville

200

http://www.riversidenaturecenter.org/

Heard Native Plant Garde-McKinney

200

http://heardmuseum.org/attractions/plant.asp

Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens and Nature Center - Corpus Christi

279

http://www.stxbot.org/

McAllen Botanical Gardens - McAllen

390

http://mcallenbotanicalgarden.com/

Amarillo Botanical Garden - Amarillo

517

http://www.amarillobotanicalgardens.org/

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens - Fort Davis

530

http://cdri.org/

Within 100 Mile-200 Mile Zone

Legend Study Site Arboretums within 100 Miles Arboretums from 100-200 Mile Arboretums outside 200 Miles 100 Mile Buffer 200 Mile Buffer

Outside 200 Mile Zone

Distance

Number

Within 100 Mile Zone

Within 100-200 Mile Zone

Outside 200 Mile Zone

Legend Study Site Popular Arboretums Map N.T.S

Sources: Google Map, http://www.manta.com/mb_45_B71A605L_44/arboretum/texas, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_botani-

114 cal_gardens_in_the_United_States#Texas

Sources: Google Map, http://www.manta.com/mb_45_B71A605L_44/arboretum/texas, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_botanical_gardens_in_the_United_States#Texas

115

ATTRACTIONS IN BRYAN &COLLEGE STATION Attactions

Distance

Website

1. Brazos Valley African American Museum

6.3

http://brazosvalleyaam.org/

2. Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History

6.4

http://www. brazosvalleymuseum. org/

3. Historic Downtown Bryan

5.1

http://downtownbryan.com/

4. Messina Hof Winery & Resort

10.6

http://www. messinahof. com/ index_main.php

5. The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley

5.2

111 East 27th Street Bryan, TX 77803

6. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

2.9

Urban Farming Author: Xuemei Li

ushlib.tamu.edu

Introduction

118

Benefits of Urban Farming

118

Specifications of Urban Farming Types of Urban Farms

119

Start an Urban Farm

121

A Example of Urban Farm Design

121

Common Elements of Urban Farms

122

Case Study • The Grow Dat Youth Farm: Power of Public-Interest Design • Parking Garage Rooftop UPGarden P-Patch • AquaFarm – Sustainable and Organic Urban Farming Systems

123

119

Legend Study Site Attractions 5 Miles Zone

Map N.T.S

10 Miles Zone

116 Sources: http://www.rudderbandb.com/attractions.html

117

URBAN FARMING Introduction

Benefit of Urban Farming

The recognition of environmental degradation within cities through the relocation of resources to serve urban populations has inspired the implementation of different schemes of urban agriculture across the developed and developing world.

Ecological

Urban agriculture can be defined as the growing of plants and the raising of animals within and around cities. Urban farming is generally practiced for income-earning or food-producing activities, though in some communities the main impetus is recreation and relaxation. A common and efficient form of urban agriculture is the biointensive method. Because urban agriculture promotes energy-saving local food production, urban and peri-urban agriculture are generally seen as sustainable agriculture.

Recycle and Reuse: •Wastewater and organic solid waste can be transformed into resources for growing agriculture products: the former can be used for irrigation, the latter as fertilizer. •Vacant urban areas can be used for agriculture production. •Other natural resources can be conserved. The use of wastewater for irrigation improves water management and increases the availability of freshwater for drinking and household consumption.

The most striking feature of urban agriculture, which distinguishes it from rural agriculture, is that it is integrated into the urban economic and ecological system: urban agriculture is embedded in -and interacting with- the urban ecosystem. Such linkages include the use of urban residents as labourers, use of typical urban resources (like organic waste as compost and urban wastewater for irrigation), direct links with urban consumers, direct impacts on urban ecology (positive and negative), being part of the urban food system, competing for land with other urban functions, being influenced by urban policies and plans, etc.

Economic

•Urban farming is a very efficient tool to fight against hunger and malnutrition since it facilitates the access to food for an impoverished sector of the urban population. •Local production of food also allows savings in transportation costs, storage, and in product loss, what results in food cost reduction. •Urban farming surpluses can be sold in local markets, generating more income for the urban poor. •Urban farming provides food and creates savings in household expenditure on consumable, thus increasing the amount of income allocated to other uses.

Social

Garden combined with rainwater harvesting system.

New York’s Riverpark Farm

Specifications of Urban Farming

City as a regenerative and symbiosis system.

Energy Saving: The current industrial agriculture system is accountable for high energy costs for the transportation of foodstuffs. The average conventional produce item travels 1,500 miles (2,400 km), using, if shipped by tractor-trailer, 1 US gallon (3.8 l; 0.83 imp gal) of fossil fuel per 100 pounds (45 kg). The energy used to transport food is decreased when urban agriculture can provide cities with locally grown food. Other potential energy savings include: •Green roof reduces energy use by providing insulation to the buildings. •Solar panels can be installed in urban farms. •Wind turbines can be installed in urban farms. •Local urban farms cost little on transporting produce to market than industrial farms in rural area do, thus they help saving fossil fuel.

•There is a growing attention and promotion of urban farming all over the world, along with the movement of resilient, self-sustaining and low carbon cities. Increasingly, urban farming has been seen as part of sustainable urban development. •Food production can be integrated into the daily activities of community residents through recreation and communal gatherings. • Community gardens can also provide beautiful and pleasing spaces, helping improve the air quality in urban areas. •Educational programs can be promoted to teach people gardening skills and to eat healthy. •Community garden works help build social bounds among residents.

Types of actors involved

Large parties of the people involved in urban agriculture are the urban poor. Contrary to general belief they are often not recent immigrants from rural areas (since the urban farmer needs time to get access to urban land, water and other productive resources). In many cities, one will often also find lower and mid-level government officials, school teachers and the like involved in agriculture, as well as richer people who are seeking a good investment for their capital. Women constitute an important part of urban farmers, since agriculture and related processing and selling activities, among others, can often be more easily combined with their other tasks in the household. It is however more difficult to combine it with urban jobs that require travelling to the town center, industrial areas or to the houses of the rich.

Types of location

Urban agriculture may take place in locations inside the cities (intraurban) or in the peri-urban areas. The activities may take place on the homestead (on-plot) or on land away from the residence (off-plot), on private land (owned, leased) or on public land (parks, conservation areas, along roads, streams and railways), or semi-public land (schoolyards, grounds of schools and hospitals).

Types of products grown

Urban agriculture includes food products, from different types of crops (grains, root crops, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits) and animals (poultry, rabbits, goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, guinea pigs, fish, etc.). As well as non-food products(like aromatic and medicinal herbs, ornamental plants, tree products, etc.), or combinations of these. Often the more perishable and relatively high-valued vegetables and animal products and by-products are favored. Production units in urban agriculture in general tend to be more specialized than rural enterprises, and exchanges are taking place across production units.

Crops (grains, root crops, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits)

118

Sources: http://www.urbanfarmonline.com, http://growdatyouthfarm.org/grow-dat-program/, http://inhabitat.com/parking-garage-rooftop-upgarden-p-patch-almost-complete-in-seattle/, http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/services/consultation-and-design/, http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/gallery/

Animals (poultry, Non-food products rabbits, goats, sheep, (like herbs and cattle, pigs, fish, etc.) ornamental plants.)

Types of economic activities

Urban agriculture includes agricultural production activities related processing and marketing activities as well as inputs (e.g. compost) and services delivery (e.g. animal health services) by specialized microenterprises or NGOs, etc. In urban agriculture, production and marketing tend to be more closely interrelated in terms of time and space than rural agriculture, thanks to greater geographic proximity and quicker resource flow.

Product destination / degree of market orientation

•

Scales of production and technology used

In the city, we may encounter individual or family farms, group or cooperative farms and commercial enterprises at various scales ranging from microand small farms (the majority) to medium-sized and some large-scale enterprises. The technological level of the majority of urban agriculture enterprises in developing countries is still rather low. However, the tendency is towards more technically advanced and intensive agriculture and various examples of such can be found in all cities

Types of Urban Farms

The practice of urban agriculture is incredibly variable. There are a tremendous number of current technologies and systems for developing urban agriculture on both large and small scales, and on surfaces that are both horizontal and vertical. It demands a certain ingenuity, or creative spirit, to take on farming of all types in the city and the best practices are the ones that take advantage of existing opportunities and infrastructures.

In most cities in developing countries, an important part of urban agricultural production is for self-consumption, with surpluses being traded. However, the importance of the market-oriented urban agriculture, both in volume and economic value, should not be underestimated (as will be shown later). Products are sold at the farm gate, by cart in the same or other neighborhoods, in local shops, on local Horizontal Farm (farmers) markets or to intermediaries and Large Scale Farm supermarkets. Mainly fresh products are sold, but part of it is processed for own use, cooked and sold on the streets, or processed and packaged for sale to one of the outlets mentioned above.

Farmer’s Market • Types of actors involved

In the city, we may encounter individual or family farms, group or cooperative farms and commercial enterprises at various scales ranging from micro- and small farms (the majority) to medium-sized and some largescale enterprises. The technological level of the majority of urban agriculture enterprises in developing countries is still rather low. However, the tendency is towards more technically advanced and intensive agriculture and various examples of such can be found in all cities.

Large scale projects in urban agriculture are less common because they bring up complex political and social issues regarding urban land use, ownership and labor. There aren’t any examples in the United States currently, but there is a project in the works in New York called the Five Borough Farm. This is a pilot project that is looking to consolidate disused, under-used or vacant urban land in New York.

119

URBAN FARMING Small Scale Farm There are countless examples of people producing small amounts of food (vegetables, a fruit tree, etc.), for personal consumption in their own yards. There are also many examples of community based agriculture all over the world. These community gardens are large garden areas in a common space where each tenant has their own area to garden.

START AN URBAN FARM Green Houses Greenhouses can be an important addition to these urban agricultural systems, especially in northern climates where the growing season may be rather short. Adding a greenhouse component to these horizontal systems can allow for much higher production over a longer period of time. Greenhouses can even be operated in a more sustainable manner by using waste heat from a nearby building or industry to heat them.

Non-vege Farms The main reasons for urban agriculture are producing more food closer to home, food security and reducing the demand for food products generated by traditional agriculture systems. Therefore, urban agriculture isn’t just about growing produce, but can also include raising animals. There has been a strong push for raising chickens in back yards, which is legal in Chicago and many other major cities. Producing much less waste and being less noisy than a dog, there are not many drawbacks to urban chickens. They can produce around an egg a day, which is more nutritious and delicious than store-bought eggs. They can also be fed table scraps, reducing feed cost as well as organic waste that would have to be shipped away.

Community garden

Backyard farm

On the Roof Since open land in cities that’s available for growing crops is scarce, many have started growing crops on the other horizontal surface in cities that are in abundance: rooftops. Roof gardens have become ever more popular, especially in cities where land values and density are high. Food production is possible on an intensive green roof where the soil is deep enough to accommodate vegetables, like the Gary Comer Youth Center. These types of systems can be a bit expensive, especially compared to just having large boxes or pots of soil to grow in. A roof can be done by one group that takes care of the entire roof or can be split up and done as community garden plots.

Vertical Farms

Proponents argue that, by allowing traditional outdoor farms to revert to a natural state and reducing the energy costs needed to transport foods to consumers, vertical farms could significantly alleviate climate change produced by excess atmospheric carbon. Critics have noted that the costs of the additional energy needed for artificial lighting, heating and other vertical farming operations would outweigh the benefit of the building’s close proximity to the areas of consumption

Dr. Noel Arrold took advantage of an existing disused rail tunnel in Sydney Australia and began growing mushrooms 4. Consider garden design there. The cool, dark and damp space provides a perfect Including hours of sunlight and shade, access space for growing them. to water, location, types of crops, security Many cities have also started allowing the keeping of bees and lighting, and accessibility. If your site was on rooftops. This greatly helps maintain a bee population capped, soils were removed or contamination within a city, which has many great environmental benefits remains at greater depths, you may only be able like pollinating crops on green roofs and other urban farms. to grow plants with shallow root systems or may They also produce honey, which can be eaten or sold. There be required to bring in additional clean soil that are many bee colonies in Chicago, including on City Hall, you will need to test to make sure it’s safe for growing. Chicago Cultural Center and the Marriott Hotel.

5. Construct the garden to accommodate children, the elderly, and 1. Survey the property and identify potential people all abilities. Raised beds, risks and contaminants for testing. wider paths, and benches can all be The types of contaminants you are likely to find depend used to create a more usable space. Chicken Farms

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants. (‘Farming’ here implies some sort of intervention such as regular stocking, feeding, or protection from predators.) Both indoor systems in tanks, and outdoor systems in ponds can be used. Unlike most forms of livestock, aquaculture systems can be very compatible with nearby residential areas and provide an opportunity to treat organic domestic waste. In many countries, such as India, Thailand, China and Vietnam, human waste is used as a source of nutrients for aquaculture, which is then treated in the process; however, this practice needs to be done with extensive management in order to prevent disease. Tilapia and carp are the main fish used in aquaculture.

Aquafarms

120

Bee farm

If you have contaminants at a level that need cleanup, encourage your city or town or non profit organization to apply for a brownfield cleanup grant if they do not have cleanup funds.

Start a Urban Farm

Small scale vertical farming can be as simple as a few pots in window sills. There are some products that allow for easier vertical farming. Bohn & Viljoen Architects has designed a hydroponic system that can be hung in a window like a curtain.

Mushroom farm

3. Clean contaminants and add soil An Example of Urban Farm amendments to create a safe growDesign ing environment.

on the history and use of the property. A librarian at your local public library may be able to help you locate historical property records, Sanborn or fire insurance maps and city directories that identify previous property uses or you may be able to find information on the internet. Sometimes looking at a property can provide visual cues to potential contamination. Soil staining, an oily sheen on puddles, visible tanks or piping, or piles of debris may suggest petroleum tanks or illegal dumping. If you suspect environmental contaminants, you may wish to select a different site for a potential garden.

2. Test your soil. Consider likely environmental contaminants, pH, organic content, and soil nutrients needed for healthy plant growth. Individuals establishing a community garden typically send samples to a soil extension service lab. The lab will generally test for pH, organic content and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and some also commonly test for lead. Some labs may do additional tests, such as a metal panel, but you will need to request them specifically and pay for specific additional tests. Check with your extension service to see what soil tests they provide or recommend. The US Department of Agriculture website provides a map and links with the university and extension offices in your area.

Remember to design your garden entrance with paths and ramps that can accommodate children, senior citizens, and those with disabilities by:

•Creating pathways at least 3 feet wide between beds will allow space for wheelchairs while a 5 foot width permits a wheelchair turning radius while a 7 foot width allows two wheelchairs to pass. •Learn more about access requirements on the Access Board’s website. •Adjusting the height and depth of raised beds to facilitate access for gardeners with restricted movement or issues of balance. •Path materials should be firm and smooth with a texture that minimizes slipping. Minimize changes in the slope and grade of paths, where possible. •Providing benches or picnic tables provide areas for gardeners to safely sit – preferably in the shade! •Gardening is a favorite hobby of people of all ages, including many retirees. By 2030, 1 out of 5 Americans will be age 65 or over. Consider ways you can make your garden accommodate their needs. By contrast, children under six may like a sandbox to play in, a shady spot or their own growing area in a safe location where parents and grandparents can supervise. Let the children help design their garden spot. •Horticultural therapy uses gardens and growing plants to heal and encourage activity for those of all abilities.

6. Plant a safe and healthy garden and enjoy your growing community.

Trinity Avenue Urban Farm Location: 104 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, GA, 30303 Area: 0.8 acre

The design concept was for an urban garden and farm containing multiple plots and ADA accessible paths shaped and arranged to match the roads and blocks of downtown Atlanta. When viewed from the surrounding high rises and Atlanta City Hall, the garden presents itself as a map of the downtown core of Atlanta. You can easily make out the Fairlie Poplar area which is the pedestrian plaza in the center of the site as well as the domed green house. Beyond the basic theme, the fully realized design also included a classroom, teaching kitchen, bathroom, cafe and entrance portal buildings.

Bird Eye Views of Trinity Avenue Urban Farm

121

URBAN FARMING

Common Elements of Urban Farms

Case Study

Raised Garden Beds

Deer Fences

Walkways and Patios

Raised garden beds, also called garden boxes, are great for growing small plots of veggies and flowers. They keep pathway weeds from your garden soil, prevent soil compaction, provide good drainage and serve as a barrier to pests such as slugs and snails.

Raised garden beds are available in a variety of different materials, or they can be made with relative ease.

Walkways and patios as part of a planned landscape are designed to draw people through the landscape and into garden destinations. Walkways can be straight and narrow or wide and winding. Patios are both large and small and can be circular, square, rectangular or irregularly shaped.

Raspberry, Kiwi, Hops or Grape Trellis

Trellises can be constructed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from decorative gardenenhancing pieces to simple fencelike structures that are strictly functional. Each grape vine will need an 8’ x 8’ space, so they must be planted about 8’-10’ apart. If you just want to plant one or two grape vines, you can construct a simple arbor to trellis the vines along.

122

Drip Irrigation Systems

Gazebos

Drip irrigation is the most efficient method of irrigating. While sprinkler systems are around 7585% efficient, drip systems typically are 90% or higher.

Gazebos are freestanding or attached to a garden wall, roofed, and open on all sides; they provide shade, shelter, ornamental features in a landscape, and a place to rest.

Drip irrigation systems consist of drippers, micro sprinklers, micro sprayers, dripper line, drip tape or soaker hoses (hose that emit beads of water directly to a plant’s roots).

Some gazebos in public parks are large enough to serve as bandstands or rain shelters.

The Grow Dat Youth Farm: Power of Public-Interest Design

Location: City Park, Service Rd. New Orleans, Louisiana. Coordinator: 30.019717, -90.085529 Area: 4 acres Website: http://growdatyouthfarm. org

In 2012, the farm will produce an anticipated 10,000 pounds of food and up to 40,000 pounds by 2014. The produce grown on the farm will nourish New Orleans residents who currently have limited access to fresh food. Sixty percent of the food will be sold in a variety of places, such as markets, restaurants, and corner stores. Forty percent is our Shared Harvest and will be donated to various locations, including hunger relief agencies–providing a high quality, nutritious food source to those who need it most. Youth participants will help identify creative and experimental ways to increase access to food in their neighborhoods, identifying key locations for produce sale or donation within their communities. Through this dual experience of selling and donating food, youth will develop an understanding of both the economic and true value of food as an essential lifeforce.

Introduction Providing a central location accessible by public transportation, the farm will become an educational destination for students and residents alike. Nestled within the larger acreage of the Park, the Farm will provide innumerable lessons about the natural world to urban youth.

Over the 19-week program, youth participants learn a variety of skills related to growing, cooking and selling organic vegetables and fruit. Full time Grow Dat staff have created a curriculum that includes lessons on sustainable agriculture, cooking, communication and team- building, economics, nutrition and community health, food systems, and the agricultural history of our region. Guest educators from Tulane University and the wider community lead workshops in their specific area of expertise, thus enhancing the foundational lessons taught by Grow Dat staff. Working in rotating teams, students take on the responsibility for selling food at farmers’ markets and preparing food for homeless or under served populations. In addition to these hands-on activities, students also participate in a highly structured system for enhancing their communication skills called “Real Talk”. In addition to improved communication skills, students are also trained on time management, effective strategies for team work, and public speaking– all skills that can be broadly applied in future jobs.

Soil development on the planting plots began in Grow Dat Program the summer of 2011 and will continue until the first At the Grow Dat Youth Farm, youth from across the produce is planted in early 2012. city of New Orleans come to learn, work, earn money, and grow food that goes back out to the city; the teens Tulane City Center (TCC) at the Tulane School of themselves sell about 60% of the produce to markets, Architecture is leading site development and is restaurants, and corner stores, the other 40% they now constructing the farm campus. With the help then donate via Shared Harvest. of TCC, the site is transforming over time from an abandoned golf course to a diversified organic The farm works with several high schools and youth farm cultivated by youth. As with all TCC projects, organizations throughout New Orleans to recruit a structures on the farm will be developed with diverse and committed group of youth who develop specific attention to our regional climate and energy leadership and life skills during their intensive, handsefficiency. The campus features green building on work experience. Through a structured application innovations for our outdoor classroom, teaching process, Grow Dat conscientiously recruits a mix of kitchen, locker rooms, administrative offices, and students: 20% of whom have already demonstrated large post-harvest handling areas. leadership skills inside or outside of school, 20% of whom are at- risk of poor performance at school, and 60% of whom are students that are neither excelling nor failing at school. Sources: http://www.urbanfarmonline.com, http://growdatyouthfarm.org/grow-dat-program/, http://inhabitat.com/parking-garage-rooftop-upgarden-p-patch-almost-complete-in-seattle/, http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/services/consultation-and-design/, http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/gallery/

123

URBAN FARMING Case Study Parking Garage Rooftop UPGarden P-Patch

Methodology In the AquaFarm system, the nutrients from the fish farm are broken down by bacteria and other little helpers to provide a fertile ground for plant growth. At the end, the system is closed-loop, completely organic and sustainable in its use. Everything works in harmony and creates almost zero emissions in the process.

The site under construction

Location: rooftop parking level of the Mercer Garage, Mercer St. between 3rd and 4th Ave N. Coordinator: 47.625141, -122.350756 Area: 1 acres Website: http://www.seattle. gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/ locations/86.htm

AquaFarm – Sustainable and organic farming systems

124

Author: Xuemei Li

Introduction

126

Bird Habitat Essentials

126

Guidelines for Bird Habitat Conservation

128

Case Study: • A Bird Habitat Garden - Plant Choices and Design Tips

129

Website: http://aquafarm.wordpress.com/about/

Introduction Designed by Kistler Higbee Cahoot, the UPGarden P-Patch is part of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ P-Patch program, which helps manage almost 80 urban community gardens across the city. Volunteers have been working hard to convert the rooftop space into a beautiful oasis, and it is still under construction. P-Patch Community Gardening Program Originated from its first community garden, Picardo Farm, P-Patch represents community gardens that are managed by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Community Gardening Program. The P-Patch Community Gardening Program, in conjunction with P-Patch Trust, a nonprofit organization, oversees 75 P-Patches distributed throughout the city, equaling approximately 23 acres, serving 4,400 gardeners. Gardeners throughout the city contributed 17,000 hours maintaining the common areas of the garden in 2010.

Location AquaFarm will reside on urban rooftops and city buildings. Urban farming aims to bring food production closer to where consumption is happening.

Bird Habitat

Nutrient Cycle: Fish farm provides nutrients for vegetable garden. - Vegetable garden cleans water for the fish farm.

Benefits of Aquafarms

90% water reduction Introduction The aquafarms’ mission is to combine a commercial-scale fish farm with a vertically integrated vegetable garden to reduce greenhouse gas emissions & provide sustainable and organic fresh food for an urban & progressive clientele of ecologically conscious consumers.

Close-loop nutrient cycle Vertical scaling, space efficiency No pesticides, no fertilizer CO2-reduction footprint

125

BIRD HABITAT Introduction

A ‘habitat’ can be defined as the kind of place where an animal, bird, fish, or plant lives in a natural state. Every wildlife species has a set of well-defined requirements that must be met in order for individuals within a population to survive and pass on their genes. • There must be adequate space in which to seek a mate, breed, and successfully feed and rear offspring. • There must be adequate cover in which to find protection from the elements and to escape from predators. • There must be adequate food resources available Athroughout the year to sustain the population when energy demands are greatest, such as for reproduction during spring and for warmth during winter. • There must also be sufficient sources of accessible water.

Seasonal Selection Think seasonally when selecting trees and shrubs, and your landscape will appeal to both spring and fall migrating birds, as well as year-round residents. Mulberry and serviceberry are among the options that provide summer fruit. By planting dogwood and winterberry, you’ll provide food for fall. Holly and sumac are good choices for providing year-round feeding. Plant Choices Wax myrtle, holly and juniper are good shrub choices to incorporate in your landscape. Do not consider planting Crapemyrtles, which have no food value for wildlife and might just as well be plastic as far as insects and birds are concerned. Here are a few tree options to consider: • Oak trees attract goldfinches, blue jays, downy woodpeckers, titmice and nuthatches.

Habitat defines not only a place but a unique set of characteristics that make it somewhat selective in choosing various habitat elements for our yard that will attract particular groups of wildlife species. If we enjoy watching woodland-type birds, for example, then our habitat should include groups of shrubs and small to large trees for cover, as well as leaf litter on the ground and convenient sources of water. • Pine trees attract goldfinches, chickadees, However, we should always remember the fact that groups juncos, doves, titmice and nuthatches. of animals are associated with groups of plants in natural • Mulberry trees attract robins, blue jays, environments. For the wildlife gardener, this means that it cardinals, orioles, towhees and tanagers. would be unrealistic to plant a habitat for butterflies and then not expect several bee species and other insects to show up, or • Dogwoods attract blue jays, downy to plant a series of berry-producing shrubs for birds and then woodpeckers, mocking birds, bluebirds and tanagers. be surprised if raccoons or opossums amble into the yard.

Bird Habitat Essentials

126

Provide Food for Birds Everyone needs to eat! Planting native shrubs and trees is the easiest way to provide the berries, seeds and nuts that many species of birds require to survive and thrive. Supplemental feeders may be needed as well. Food Variety Fruit, nuts, seeds and insects are all food sources for different birds. Several birds, such as woodpeckers, blue jays and turkeys, enjoy oak and hickory nuts. Cedar waxwings and bluebirds eat the fruit of hollies, dogwoods and cherries. Seeds from pines and spruce nourish grosbeaks and cardinals. Woodpeckers and nuthatches scurry along tree trunks and branches in search of insects. In fact, a bird’s beak is specially shaped according to its food source. Seed eating birds such as the cardinal have stubby, conical shaped beaks for cracking seeds. Woodpeckers and nuthatches have long, chisel-type beaks for boring into wood in search of insects.

Bird Feeder There are numerous styles and designs of feeders on themarket. A platform feeder holds millet and other seed in anuncovered tray that sits on four legs about 10 inches off theground; it is useful for mourning doves. A hopper feeder,good for cardinals and other birds which prefer sunflowers,is a box that dispenses seed from the sides, and it can bemounted on a pole or suspended from a tree. A thistlefeeder is a vertical tube with tiny slits in the side, designedfor finches, and a suet feeder is a screened square or meshbag through which a woodpecker or nuthatch can peck. Tryto hang your feeder out of reach of squirrels, or put the feederon a pole and use a baffle above and below it. Avoid feedingold bread and other kitchen scraps, as these items to attractstarlings and crows.

Hopper feeders

• Crabapples attract robins, woodpeckers, titmice, bluebirds and cedar waxwings. Use Native Plants Only native plants host the insect biomass required by migrating and nesting birds. Many birds survive either largely or exclusively on insects, and virtually ALL nesting birds must have insects for their young. These insects provide necessary protein for nestling development. Nonnative plants host a fraction of the insects that area supported by native plants. Keep Leaf Litter On Site Allow the leaves to remain in place where they can decompose naturally and recycle nutrients back into the ground. As the leaves break down, they form a substrate for insects and salamanders to find a home, and a place for small mammals and birds to find something to eat.

BIRD HABITAT Supply Water for Birds Birds need sources of clean water for many purposes, such as drinking and bathing.

Water sources may include natural features such as ponds, lakes, rivers, springs, oceans and wetlands; or human-made features such as bird baths, puddling areas for butterflies, installed ponds or rain gardens. Climate change is threatening our sources of clean water by increasing temperatures and reducing rainfall in some areas, causing drought conditions and lower water tables. In other areas, increased rainfall and extreme weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes cause flooding and erosion of natural ecosystems and can pollute local watersheds. These problems highlight the importance of providing a constant source of clean water for birds, mammals, fish and other wildlife in their different habitats. Provide A Bird Bath There are several ways to provide water sources for wildlife, and a habitat which contains more than one source is ideal. The easiest water source to install is a bird bath. Choose a bird bath with a shallow bowl no deeper than two to three inches, and place a few stones in it that birds can easily perch on. Huge bird baths with deep bowls are unnecessary if large birds are not welcome. Be sure to change the water 2-3 times per week during warm weather when mosquitoes are breeding, so that any eggs laid in the water don’t have time to hatch.

Thistle feeders

Suet feeders

Sources: http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/, http://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/a_bird_habitat_garden, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-in-a-bird-habitat.htm, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt wild/birding/if/habitats/, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/a-good-habitat.pdf

Choose the Site Wisely Providing cover near the water source can help birds hiding from predators, which could be a hawk, a fox, or free-roaming cats and dogs. Birds are usually hesitant to venture far out into the open; instead, they prefer a shrub or tree near the water where they can land first and see if the coast is clear.

Provide Shelters for Birds Birds require places to hide in order to feel safe from people, predators and inclement weather. Layering Trees and Shrubs to Nest Birds Water sources may include natural features A good habitat requires several layers of plant material. This includes ground level, shrub level and tree level. Since different birds nest at different heights, several layers provide space for a variety of birds. Some songbirds need tall or medium deciduous trees for nesting. Others require evergreens for nesting and shelter. Instead of planting one single tree or shrub, consider a grouping. For example, a mixed grouping of dogwoods, crabapples, cedars and junipers will provide food, shelter from winter weather and a safe place to hide from predators.

Birds nest in tree holes.

Group the plant material in clusters to provide maximum Shelter for nesting birds.

Effective use of plant layers in varying heights will attract a wide arrange of birds. Layering is also beneficial for foraging, feeding and protecting. A layered wildlife habitat is a safe haven for birds and small animals to hide from predators, and also to find protection from severe weather. Even dead trees attract birds. If a dead tree doesn’t pose a threat to nearby structures, consider leaving it in place. Dead trees are home to numerous species of birds and mammals. Many birds rely on the nesting cavities in dead trees to raise their young.

Be sure the overall composition also includes evergreens that provide important protection from winter’s cold and summer’s heat.

Sources: http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/, http://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/a_bird_habitat_garden, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-in-a-bird-habitat.htm, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/birding/pif/habitats/, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/a-good-habitat.pdf

127

BIRD HABITAT

Build a Bird House Birds need places to reproduce, bear and raise their young, and see their young survive to adulthood, all safe from predators, bad weather and human intervention.

Examples of bird houses:

Many Americans have adopted a philosophy that everything growing in their yard or on their property must “look clean,” and they are quick to remove any standing dead trees. This means a shortage of suitable nesting sites or “den trees” for cavitynesters. Cavity-nesters are birds that seek out holes in trees to lay their eggs and raise their young. Some examples are the nuthatch, brown creeper, wood duck, Example 1 prothonotary warbler, bluebird, chickadee, owl, purple marten, wren, and of course the woodpecker. Woodpeckers create some of the holes in trees; other holes occur when limbs fall off trees, when insects and disease attack, or when fungi decompose what’s left. Putting up a bird house that has been specially designed for cavitynesters can be greatly helpful. Each bird species is unique and has particular requirements, such as the size of the box opening or how high off the ground they will nest. It is extremely important to locate the bird house in the correct habitat for that bird, if you have your heart set on attracting a particular species. Mounting a bluebird house near any buildings or other structures, for example, will almost certainly be taken over by a house sparrow—a non-native species which competes with our native cavity-nesters. Starlings should also be discouraged. Here are more pointers: •The box should have ¼” holes or larger in the bottom for proper drainage. •No perch on the front! This just makes it easier for a predator to gain a “foothold” and raid the box. •There should be holes or spaces on the sides of the box near the roof for adequate ventilation •Construct the box with wood at least ¾” thick and preferably 1” thick to insulate nesting birds from the heat •The roof should overhang the front of the box a good 2” to shelter the opening from wind and rain •If the box is painted, it should be painted in a light color to reflect heat; clear varnish works fine •Check to see that the back of the box is long enough to make it easy to mount to a post.

128

Guidelines for Bird Habitat Conservation Guidelines for Backyard Habitat Conservation Projects • Grow native plants that provide fruits or trees. • Woodlots with fallen limbs and leaves, dead plant material, and other woodland debris harbor the insects that migratory birds thrive on. Leave as much dead plant material, as possible, on the land. • Seek alternatives to chemical pesticides. Use biological controls for unwanted insects and vegetation. • Reduce the risk of bird predation by keeping pet cats indoors. Refrain from putting out table scraps, which will attract predators, such as raccoons.

Go native.

Leave dead plants on site.

No chemical pesticides.Control mammals. Guidelines for Conservation of Migratory Birds in Forested Areas • Avoid fragmenting forested areas. • Maintain a well-developed understory, including woody and herbaceous vegetation, to provide resources to a diverse set of woodland species. • Minimize the amount of edge habitat. • Protect or restore forest along streams, wide stream bottoms, and ravines can be crucial to migratory birds. • Remove non-native plant species, for example, Kudzu and Salt cedar.

Sources: http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/, http://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/a_bird_habitat_garden, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-in-a-bird-habitat.htm, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/birding/pif/habitats/, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/a-good-habitat.pdf

BIRD HABITAT

Case Study A Bird Habitat Garden—Plant Choices and Design Tips

Avoid fragmenting forests.

Maintain a well-developed understory vegetation.

Avoid fragmenting forests.

Protect or restore forest along streams.

Guidelines for Conservation-Oriented Land-Use Planning • Do not overlook small habitat patches. Small plots of trees, shrubs, or grasses are used by migrating birds. • All development should take into account the needs of migratory birds. • During construction, as little habitat as possible should be destroyed. This can help birds and increase home and property values. • Avoid placing structures on ridge tops. Birds tend to follow ridges during migration. Structures built along migration routes pose serious threats to millions of birds that are killed when they strike windows, power lines, and towers. • Avoid placing structures within or adjacent to wetlands. Wetlands are particularly important to migratory birds because of the abundance of food and cover. • When building along a known flight path, consider the orientation of the structure. If possible, place houses so that large windows do not sit perpendicular to the migration flight path (in most places this is north and south) Elevated telephone poles and lines can also cause serious problems. • Community plans should include tracts of native habitat. Cluster housing, localizing homes within large tracts of land, is a helpful technique to achieve this goal.

Even small habitat patches matter

No structures within or adjacent to wetlands.

This is an example of low-maintenance, multilayered habitat of bird-attracting plants. Also, a birdbath, a feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds and a birdhouse ten feet off the ground, facing east are provided. The plants in the design below are native to southeastern U.S. and appeal to humans as well as birds. Grow them in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, unless otherwise indicated.

All development should take into account the needs of migratory birds.

1. Malus sargenti (Flowering Crabapple) 2. Ilex vomitoria ‘Pride of Houston’ (Dwarf Youpon) When building along a known flight path, consider the orientation of the structure. If possible, place houses 3. Hystrix patula (Bottlebrush Grass) so that large windows do not sit perpendicular to the migration flight path. 4. Myrica pusilla (Dwarf Wax Myrtle) 5. Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ (New England Aster) 6. Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry) 7. Vaccinium angustifolium (Lowbush Blueberry) 8. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry) Community plans should include tracts of native 9. Celastrus scandens (American Bittersweet) habitat. Cluster housing, localizing homes within large tracts of land, is a helpful technique to achieve this goal.

Sources: http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/, http://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/a_bird_habitat_garden, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-in-a-bird-habitat.htm, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/birding/pif/habitats/, http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/a-good-habitat.pdf

129

Table of CONTENTS Mission statement & design programming

132

Site swot analysis

133

Site function and user analysis

135

Design elements

141

Design elements

142

Design solutions - creek restoration

143

Design solutions - coffee station and garden entrance

144

Design solutions - feed the world plaza

145

Design solutions - lawn amphitheatre

146

Design solutions - outdoor living and rose graden

147

Design solutions - north pedestrian entrance

148

Design solutions - howdy station

149

Fall 2012: Design Program 130

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenways

131

MISSION STATEMENT & DESIGN PROGRAMMING

SITE SWOT ANALYSIS

Mission Statement

Strengths

To restore, preserve and develop the White Creek Greenway Corridor on the AgLife Campus Complex site.

• An excellent parcel of land with a convenient campus location: A 45-acre site located on west campus at Texas A&M University bounded by Horticultural Street on the north, Discovery Drive on the west, Horticulture/Forestry Sciences Building, Lot 74 and Lot 97 on the east, Kimbrough Blvd on the road. • The site includes White Creek flowing south parallel to Kimbrough Blvd. stopping at Discovery Drive and Kimbrough inesection. • Natural resources: a natural creek and greenway that provides diverse habitats and native wildlife. • A potential for a strong relationship between visitors, faculty, students, staff and this site. The new AgriLife Building complex is an ideal place to focus the visitors to the site and its programs. • Adjacent to existing tourism attraction site -- AgriLife Heritage and Education Center, which attracts visitors and event attendance to this site, also visitors from George Bush Library and Museum. • A proposed 3,000 student dorm on the north site of Horticulture St. which can access for potential student to the site. • A proposed Physical Education facility (PEAP) on the north of the site bringing more students to the site. • Lot 100 right across from Agriculture and Life Science Building next to Reed Arena could be a potential overflow parking lot to service this site. • Less than 8% slope on most areas of the site. • A mild winter climate that is suitable for outdoor activities and educational programs. • 3 TAMU bus routes around the site to make it more accessible for visitors. • Existing rainwater harvesting system on site. • Organized bike racks to provide parking for cyclists. • Agriculture Department can provide academic support for activities such as demonstration, education, service, etc. • Agriculture alumni and other donors provide strong financial support for the project. • The site can provide a venue for linking important Ag Culture and Heritage programs like 4-H, JMG, FFA, etc.

To develop the drainage corridor into a resource for the campus from a natural landform, drainage runoff corridor and habitat for natural plants and wildlife point of view. To develop the 45 acre site north of Kimbrough Boulevard behind the AgLife Complex for the purposes of promoting . Education , Research and Demonstration Gardens . Recreation Special Events and Tourism . Ag Culture and Heritage Interpretive Sites . Sustainable Natural Habitats and Built Environments

Design Programming ECOLOGICAL Restore, Preserve and Enhance Creek and Associated Riparian Landscape System; Develop a Sustainable Landscape Habitat; Develop Stormwater Management on Site; Create Productive Urban Farming; Protect, Create and Improve Beautification Concepts and Demonstration Gardens and a Campus Habitat.

ETHNOLOGICAL (SOCIAL) Provide education, research, service, and demonstration activities; Promote Ag culture and showcase agriculture heritage; Provide passive recreation activities; Organize social events, entertainment events, weddings, etc; Create a sense of place and enhance the identity of the garden; Improve current circulation, create better connect to surrounding places of interest; Provide necessary amenities for visitors; Provide maintenance and necessary amenities for the sites.

ECONOMIC Attract funding and sponsors through social events for alumni Generate revenue from training classes, field trips, and other educational programs Rent landscape setting for special events: Wedding, Receptions, Open House, Meetings Collect ticket revenue from special event entrance fees 132

Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/economic-recovery.jpg

Weaknesses • White Creek separates two parcels of land that could be connected in a way to expand land area for more diverse uses. • A clear sense of place, identity, and entry ways into the site are lacking presently. • The site currently has a poor soil conditions (high pH and compaction) that is not suitable for a garden/greenway development. • White Creek water is not of a high quality. • Some existing trees are in poor condition and are considered as undesirable trees. Poison Ivy has been found on site. • Existing parking lot on west of the site is inadequate to provide visitor parking, bus parking, and tailgate parking. • Food services near the site are limited. There is only a small cafeteria on the first floor of AgriLife Service Building. • The site does not have a trail system nor the needed linkages to existing habitats. • The site lacks a security system and a good lighting system. • The site need a suitable restroom facility for the planned activities on the site in addition to those found in the AgriLife building complex. • There is a significant amount of soil erosion problems along White Creek that needs to be remedied.

133

SITE SWOT ANALYSIS (cont.)

SITE FUNCTION AND USER ANALYSIS

Opportunities

Site Functions

• White Creek should be a major focus for the site. Its protection and restoration can help the site become a major destination for campus visitors interested in the College’s work in research, education, extension, and recreation. • Habitat (existing and proposed), human made landscapes, the greenway and the creek channel will all contribute to an environment that is attractive to first time visitors and returning alumni to the College and Campus. • Rainwater harvesting can be a theme worth supporting given the AgriLife Buildings commitment to this conservation effort (roof runoff capture). • Solar energy capture should be a theme worth demonstrating at the residential, agricultural and public facility level on this site. • Other tourism attractions within 20 minutes walking distance, such as George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and Research park can bring more users to the site. • The site’s proposed trail system should recognize the campus strategy for trails so as to link into this campus wide pedestrian resource. • Lighting can be installed to ensure safety and to highlight important spaces on site. • Security cameras can be installed to ensure safety on site. • There is existing expertise avaliable for garden and greenway concept review. • Recreational facilities can be incorporated on site to better serve the future student dorms nearby. • TPWD could provide needed technical and financial assistance for the “Greenway”.

Core Function

User Analysis

Supporting Activities Outdoor Classes and Lab Sessions

Targeted Users Students

Experiential Learning Students Activities (Vegetable Gardening, Entomology, Future/Current Landscape, Biology etc) School Teacher Teaching

Research

Staff Communities

Students

Future/ Current School Teachers

Faculty Staff Gardens

Threats (Potential problem issues) • Circulation planning and design are of major importance to the success of this proposed Garden/ Greenway project. • Link all circulation to off site circulation as is dictated by the various circulation networks on campus. • Add enough parking spaces to serve the site. • Creek restoration and soil erosion control along the banks. • Preserve natural wildlife habitat while incorporating recreational facilities such as jogging trails. • Improve soil conditions or use other techniques to make the site suitable for growing plants. • Create sense of place and reflect Ag culture and heritage. • Create sense of arrival at entrances. • Utilize solar energy with proper devices. (Utilizing solar energy techniques can be costly and high maintenance) • Market the site to local and regional potential user groups. • Incorporate existing buildings and facilities into the site design. • Build a constructed wetland. • Do not disturb existing gardens belonging to Horticulture building, which adjacent to the site. • Consider bringing food services to the site. • Consider building a community garden to replace the existing one on the land across from Horticulture St., which will be torn down in the near future. • Consider launching a farmers market to attract people from nearby communities. • Design spaces for various educational and recreational purposes within limited land. 134

1. Education/ Research/ Demonstration

Workshops

Demonstration (Rainwater Collection, Drip Irrigation Green Roof/Wall, Solar Energy, New Plants, Gardens, etc.)

Naturalists

Gardeners

Industry Professionals

Birders

Communities

Industry Professionals

FFA* Gardeners Birders Natualists Industry Professionals VIPs and Spouses Communities Gardeners Birders Naturalists

Workshop

Demonstration

Naturalists

VIPs and Spouses

-----4-H: a youth organization JMG: Junior Master Gardener FFA: Future Farmer of America Legend:

Not applied by single activity

Students Service Learning/ Internships/Volunteerism

Services

4-H/JMG* FFA*

4-H/JMC*

Research

K-12 Students

Birders

K-12 Students

Teaching

Service Learning /Internship Volunterissm

Faculty

Staff Faculty

Experiential Learning Activities

Students

Faculty

Staff Service (Outreach, Extension)

Outdoor Classes & Lab Sessions

Heavily applied by single activity

Industry Professionals 7% Naturalists 10%

VIPs and Spouses 3%

Students 17%

Faculty 10% Birders 10% Gardeners 10% FFA 4%

Staff 10%

Communities 7% 4H/JMG K-12 Future/Current 4% Students School Teacher 4% 4%

135

SITE FUNCTION AND USER ANALYSIS (cont.)

SITE FUNCTION AND USER ANALYSIS (cont.2)

Site Functions

Core Function

User Analysis

Supporting Activities

Targeted Users

Demonstration & Interpretation

Students Faculty Staff Communities

Demonstration and Interpretation

2. Ag Culture & Heritage

Future/Current School Teacher

Recruitment (e.g. Agriculture and Science Majors)

Core Function

Faculty Staff

K-12 Students 4-H/JMG*

Parents/Families

FFA*

Alumni/Families

Gardeners

Donors

Birders

Communities

Naturalists Industry Professionals

Future/Current School Teachers

Students

K-12 Students

3. Sustainable Natural Habitats & Built Environments

4-H/JMG*

Supporting Activities Creek & Wetland Preservation

Industry Professionals

Water Quality Improvement

Industry Professionals

Faculty

Wildlife Habitat Protection

Industry Professionals

Communities

Stormwater Management

Industry Professionals

K-12 Students

Sustainable Landscapes

Industry Professionals

FFA*

Students Faculty Staff Communities K-12 Students Campus 4-H/JMG* Beautification and FAA* Demonstration Gardeners

FFA* Gardeners Birders

Faculty

Naturalists

Staff

Birders

Industry Professionals

Naturalists

Prospective Students Parents/Familities K-12 Students FFA*

-----4-H: a youth organization JMG: Junior Master Gardener FFA: Future Farmer of America Legend:

Industry Professionals Naturalists 4% 4% Birders 4% Gardeners 8%

Not applied by single activity

Stormwater Campus Sustainable ManageBeautifilandscapes ment cation

Students Staff

4-H/JMG* Gardeners Birders Naturalists Industry Professionals

-----4-H: a youth organization JMG: Junior Master Gardener FFA: Future Farmer of America Legend:

Students 5% Faculty 6%

Not applied by single activity

Heavily applied by single activity

Communities 6%

K-12 Students 6%

Faculty 12%

4-H/JMG 6% FFA 6%

Staff 12%

Prospective Students K-12 Students 4% 8% Parents/Families Future/Current 4% School Teacher Alumni/Families 4% Communities Donors 4% 4% 4%

Staff 6%

Industry Professionals 41%

FFA 8% 4H/JMG 8%

Heavily applied by single activity

Industry Professionals

Students 12%

Wetland Water Bank Wildlife Preservation Quality Erosion Habitat & Creek ImproveControl Protection Restoration ment

Targeted Users

Donors

4-H/JMG*

136

Recruitment

Students

Prospective Students

Gathering/Reunions/ Faculty Recognition Staff Activities/ Alumni and Families Special Events

Gathering/Reunions/ Recognition Activities/ Special Events

User Analysis

Naturalists 6%

Birders 6%

Gardeners 6%

137

SITE FUNCTION AND USER ANALYSIS (cont.3)

SITE FUNCTION AND USER ANALYSIS (cont.4)

Site Functions

User Analysis

Core Function

Supporting Activities

Targeted Users

Core Function

Supporting Activities

Students Enjoyment of Outdoor Environment

Passive Recreation

Field Days/Trips/Camps (Cont.)

Faculty

Industry Professionals

Visitors

Students

Faculty

Staff

Social Events (e.g. Wedding, Receptions, Open House, Meeting)

Students

Brides and Grooms

Communities

Gardeners

Brides and Grooms 4-H/JMG*

VIPs and Spouses

FFA*

Students

Gardeners

Faculty

Birders

Staff

Naturalists

Communities

Industry Professionals

4-H/JMG* FFA*

VIPs and Spouses

Gardeners

Visitors

Tours (Trees, Flowers, Birds, Birders Butterflies, etc.) Naturalists

Brides and Grooms Photography

Gardeners

Conference Attendees

VIPs and Spouses

Naturalists

Local Conference

Students

Attendees

Faculty

-----4-H: a youth organization JMG: Junior Master Gardener FFA: Future Farmer of America

Staff

Legend:

4-H/JMG*

Alumni and Families

FFA*

Visitors

Gardeners

Communities

UniversitySponsored Tailgate

VIPs and Spouses

Birders

University-sponsored Tailgate Events, Chili Cookoff, and Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Markets

Photography

K-12 Students

Industry Professionals

K-12 Students

138

Visitors

Industry Professionals

K-12 Students

Field Days/Trips/Camps

Communities

Visitors

Entertainment (Musical Events, Film, Performance, etc.)

Entertainment

Alumni

Natualists

Naturalists

Social Events

Staff

Birders

Field Days/ Trips/Camps

Faculty

Birders

4. Recreation/ Special Events/ Tourism (Cont.)

Tours

Students

Faculty

Gardeners

4. Recreation/ Special Events/ Tourism

Naturalists

Staff

Visitors

Individual Rejuvenation

Enjoyment Passive Individual of Outdoor Recreationalists Rejuvenation Environment

Targeted Users Birders

Not applied by single activity

Heavily applied by single activity

Local Conference Attendees Industry Professionals 2% 5% Naturalists 9% Birders 9%

Students 11% Faculty 11%

Staff 11%

Alumni/ Families 2% Visitors 9% FFA 4% Communities 5% 4H/JMG K-12 4% Students 4%Brides & Grooms 4%

Gardeners 9%

139

SITE FUNCTION AND USER ANALYSIS (cont.5)

DESIGN ELEMENTS

User Analysis Summary

Gardens

Targeted Users

Education/Research/ Demonstration

Ag Culture and Heritage

Sustainable Natural Habitats & Built Environments

Recreation/Special Events/ Tourism

Heirloom Cottage Garden

Ag Culture & Heritage Garden

Intensive Garden

Prairie & Wildflower Meadow

Rose Garden

Butterfly & Bee Garden

Roof Top & Vertical Garden

Rain Garden & Bioswale

Rain Water Harvesting

Meditation Garden

Demonstration Garden

Education Center

Students Faculty Staff Prospective Students Parents/Families Visitors Communities Brides and Grooms Future/Current School Teacher K-12 Students 4-H/JMG* FFA* Gardeners Birders Naturalists Industry Professionals Donors VIPs and Spouses Local Conference Attendees

Summary: The table above shows the relation between 4 Core Functions and

different user groups. The most important Core Function in this site should be Recreation/Special Events/Tourism, which occupies 29% of the site use. The second important Core Function is Ag Culture and Heritage, which occupies 28% of the use of the site. However, the other two functions are also significant. They occupy 23% and 20% of the site use, which are Education/Research/ Demonstration and Sustainable Natural Habitats & Built Environments respectively.

140

The most targed user groups will be students, faculty, staff, communities, K-12 students, 4-H/JMG, FFA, gardeners, birders, naturalists, industry professionals.

Recreation /Special Events /Tourism 29%

Sustainable Natural Habitats & Built Environments 20%

Education /Research /Demonstration 23%

Ag Culture & Heritage 28%

http://www.verticalgardendesign.com/; http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm423/campgrounds_and_rv_parks_lesson.htm

Google Image

141

DESIGN ELEMENTS

DESIGN SOLUTIONS - CREEK RESTORATION

Other Elements

East White Creek Restoration Scheme 1

Lawn Amphitheatre

Post Oak Savannah

By Wenyan Jie

Site Plan Scheme 1 Legends: 1 White Creek

Pavilion

2 Clear Zone 3 Large Tree 4 Medium Tree 5 Large Shrub 6 Medium Shrub

Visitor Center

Shaded Shelter

Focal Point

Public Restroom

Water Features

Trails for Children

7 Short Grass 8 Route

East White Creek Restoration Scheme 2

Site Plan Scheme 2 Legends: 1 White Creek 2 Clear Zone 3 Large Tree 4 Medium Tree 5 Large Shrub

Trails

Trails for Children

6 Medium Shrub 7 Short Grass 8 Route

142

http://www.verticalgardendesign.com/; http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm423/campgrounds_and_rv_parks_lesson.htm

Google Image

143

DESIGN SOLUTIONS - COFFEE STATION AND GARDEN ENTRANCE

DESIGN SOLUTIONS - FEED THE WORLD PLAZA

Site Plan

Perspective

By Dan Zhao

By Siyu Chen

Borlaug Plaza Blow Up and Perspective Entry Sign Existing Trees Proposed Trees for Mounded Circle Resting Area Small Green Mall Area Sidewalk Statue of Borlaug Fall-color Trees

Section A-A’ Scale:1”= 80’ 0

Rotating Bed Large Gree Mall Area

80 FT

Legend: 1 Entry Garden (Color 4 Display Garden (Color 7 Pedestrian Crossing Year Around Plants) Year Around Plants) 8 Coffee Station (Solar Panel) 2 Patio 5 Pervious Paving 3 Trellis 6 Green Corridor 9 Stormwater Harvesting Showcase

1 Borlaug Center 2 Statue of Dr. Borlaug

3 Resting Area 4 Passum Haw (Ilex decidua)

3 2

Scale:1”= 80’ 0

100

200 FT

5 Small Green Mall Area 6 Rotating Bed

Entrance Boundary

7 Large Green Mall Area 8 Ground Cover for Passumhaw

Trees

Section B-B’

Borlaug Center

Statue of Dr. Borlaug

Bus waiting zone Rain harvesting Safety zone Entrance way Solar panel Bus drop-off lane

Section B-B’ Green Corridor Permeable Parking Spots Permeable Vehicle Lane Side Walk

Legend:

Paving Detail Bedding course: 3/8” aggregate 1 1/2” to 2” deep layer.

3/8” aggregate in openings Holland Grand Permeable Curb/edge restraint

Open graded base: clear crushed 1” to 1 1/2” aggregate.

144

Non-woven geotectile on bottom and sides of open graded base. http://www.verticalgardendesign.com/; http://www.prm.nau.edu/prm423/campgrounds_and_rv_parks_lesson.htm

Google Image

Soil subgrade - zero slope

Large Green Mall Area 30’

Pathway Rotating Beds 12’ 5’

South Green Mall Area 37’

Passum Pathway Haw Trees 10’ 10’

Mounded Area 44’

145

DESIGN SOLUTIONS - LAWN AMPHITHEATRE Site Plan

DESIGN SOLUTIONS - OUTDOOR LIVING AND ROSE GRADEN

By Xiaohan Gao

View Looking Northeast Towards Upper Entrance

Site Plan

Rose Garden

Legend: 1 2 3

Lawn Amphitheater Section A-A’

Scale:1”= 100’

Legend: 1 Stage

3 V.I.P Area

3 Smoking Area

Legend:

5 Lawn Chair Sitting Area 6 Lawn Sitting Area 7 Stairs

1 A’

3 Paved Area 4 V.I.P Area

A 1 Buffer Zone 2 Stage

146

5 6

Turf Grass Pergola Benches

Legend: 1 2 3

Trellis Benches Seating Terrace

4 5 6

Picnic Table with Umbrella Benches Planting Bed

100 FT

1 Rose Garden 4 Outdoor Living Area 7 Water Wall 2 Shade Seating Area 5 Social Gathering Area 8 Benches

Scale:1”=300’

Lawn Amphitheater Section B-B’

Legend:

75 FT

5 Lawn Sitting Area

2 Paved Area 4 Lawn Chair Area

Rose Archway Roses Hedge

Outdoor Living Area Section A-A’

0 25 50 N Scale:1”=100’

By Ao Shi Outdoor Living Area

B’

Steps Paved Area

Rain Harvesting Facilities Canopy

6 Seating Terrace

Rose Garden Section B-B’

Rose Garden

Planting Planting Bed Bed Seating Picnic Table with Planting Terrace Umbrella Bed 3 ft

AGLS Bldg

Key Map B

Maintenance Space Bench

B’

Hedge

Roses

Maintenance Space

Central Paved Area Turf Grass

Central Pergola

Paved Road

Side Garden

Roses Hedge

Rose Archway

B’ 147

DESIGN SOLUTIONS - NORTH PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE By Jing Lei

DESIGN SOLUTIONS - HOWDY STATION

Site Plan

View Looking Northeast of Bioswale

By Pengzhi Li

View Looking South Entering Howdy Station

9 2

8 9

6 4

2 2

Legend: 1 Bioswale 2 Bioswale Edge Treatment A. Sideoats Gramma B. Indian Grass 3 Sloped Lawn Area

3 Seating Area

4 3

5 Path

4 Sloped Lawn

View Looking West of Bioswale

View Looking Northeast Entering Howdy Station

80 FT

4 Seating Areas A. B. C. 5 Permeable Paving for

Seating Base (6.5’ x 10’) 6 Multi Stemmed (Tree Form) Crapemyrtle (2)

Seating Area Section

Scale:1”= 80’ 0 20 40

Legend: 1 Bioswale 2 Bioswale Edge Treatment

Lawn Permeable Paving for Seating Base (6.5’ x 10’)

Pedestrian-Bike Pathway

Lawn

Legend: 1 Bus Station 2 Swale 3 Restroom

Scale:1”=100’ 0 25 50

100 FT

4 Rotating Focal Point 5 Outdoor Seats

7 Rentable Pavilion B 8 Rentable Pavilion C

6 Rentable Pavilion A

9 Rentable Lawn

Section A-A’

Key Map A

A’

148

Seating Area

Path

Sloped Lawn

Seating Area

Path

Seating Area

Sloped Lawn

Path

A’

Pavilion B (For Rent)

Outdoor Seating

Pavilion A Focal Point Bus (For Rent) (Rotating Station Theme)

Outdoor Seating

Restroom

A 149

Table of CONTENTS

Preliminary Design Concept

152

Master Zoning Plan

153

Comprehensive Master Plan

154

Circulation System Analysis

155

Sustainable Design Analysis

156

Facilities And Focal Points

157

Proposed Activities Zone

158

Development Phases Plan

159

Fall 2012: Comprehensive Master Plan 150

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenways

151

PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONCEPT Concept Zones

N.T.S

MASTER ZONING PLAN

Preliminary Master Plan

Legend:

Ecological Zone Ethnologic (Social ) Zone

Preliminary Zoning Group Plan

Scale:1”=400’ Legend: Landscape Preserve Service Gathering 152 Garden

Outdoor Classroom White Creek Service/Emergency Driveway Primary Road Secondary Road

100

200

400FT

100

300

600FT

3 5 8 12 20

Service Areas Entrance Visitor Center Boulevard Garden Service Area/Turn Around Parking Lots

10 11 14 15 18

Gathering Areas Rose Garden Outdoor Gathering Space Temporary Outdoor Event Area Lawn Amphitheatre Aggie Station

6 7 9 13 16 17 19

Gardens Demonstration Garden Butterfly/ Dragonfly/ Bee Garden Wildflower/Grass Meadow Courtyard Garden Aggie Farm (Vegetable, Pecan) Rain Garden & Bioswale Feed the World Garden Outdoor Classroom Structure White Creek Service Vehicle Route Primary Road Secondary Route/Trails

Scale:1”=300’

1 2 4

Landscape Preserve North Entrance Detention Area Wooded Area Post Oak Savannah

153

COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN

Circulation system ANALYSIS Legend: 1

North Entrance P - 0.2 Acre

Wetland - 0.5 Acre

Tree arboretum - 2 Acre

Post Oak Savannah - 10.4 Acre

Visitor Center(Dining, Drop-off & Parking) - 0.6 Acre

Demonstration Garden for Visitor Center - 0.6 Acre

Special Plants Garden - 0.2 Acre

South Entrance P - 0.08 Acre

Boulevard Garden - 1.9 Acre

Tall Grassland - 0.3 Acre

Wildflower/Grass Meadow - 1.1 Acre

Rose Garden - 0.7 Acre

Outdoor Living Area - 0.55 Acre

Service Area & Turn Around - 0.3 Acre

Vista Point - 0.02 Acre

Lawn Amphitheatre - 0.76 Acre

Demonstration Garden - 2.9 Acre

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Scale:1”=300’ 154

100

300

600FT

Existing Trees Proposed Trees

(17a-Gardening; 17b-Sustainability; 17c-Horticulture)

Circulation System Analysis Service/Emergency Only Paved Driveway Detail

Reserve

2 Drainage Ditch 3 Concrete Paved

Trail

4 Drainage Ditch 5 Temporary

Outdoor Space

Legend: Service/Emergency Only Paved Driveway, 0.41 mi Primary Paved Trail, 1.85 mi Secondary Decomposed Granite Trail, 0.74 mi

Proposed New Visitor Center-2.0 Acre AgLife Center Entrance P - 0.35 Acre

Strolling Trail on West of White Creek Detail

Parking Lots, 192,000 S.F.

East Entrance V P - 0.1 Acre

Drop-off Area, 2

Rain Garden and Bioswale - 0.36 Acre

Length: 2667 Feet; Area: 1.8 Acre

Drainage Ditch

1 Courtyard Garden

Courtyard Garden - 0.77 Acre

Howdy Station - 0.7 Acre Concrete Paved Road Trail (D.C.G) White Creek and Riparian Zone

Shared Concrete Paved Trail

Primary Paved Trail Detail

Aggie Farm(Vegetable, Pecan)-0.7Acre

Feed the World Garden - 1.5 Acre

Bioswale

Entrance, 8

Pedestrian, 8

Vehicle, 3 New Bridge, 3

N 0 100

300

Scale:1”= 500’

600FT Decomposed Granite Trail

Upland Restoration Buffer

Riparian Zone (Top of Bank)

White Creek Bank

155

Sustainable design analysis

Facilities and focal points

Sustainable Design Sites

Facilities and Focal Point Features 1 Detention Pond

1 Water Fountain

2 Retention Pond

2 Visitor Center Cafeteria

1 2 3 Rain Water Harvesting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSU_Water_ Fountain_Behind_Plant_Biology_Lab.jpg

4 Rain Garden

3 Vine Trellis

4 Fabric Shade Structure

5 5 8

6 5 Green Wall

http://getgreenbewell.com/2010/05/20/antique-rose-emporium/

6 Permeable Paver

5 Outdoor Classroom

7 3

http://www.uscupstate.edu/roelpavilion/default.aspx?id=31022

7 Statue

Scale:1”= 400’ 0 100 300

8 Solar Panel

Provided by Dr. Jon Rodiek

2 600FT

Scale:1”= 400’ 0 100 300

600FT

http://www. worldfoodprize.org/

Restroom (total 4) References:

156

http://www.tleng.net/Detention_Pond_-_Commerical12_22.jpg http://beaverridge.org/images/Stake%20Property/Beaver%20pond%20(2).jpg http://www.rainthanks.com/uploads/3/0/2/3/3023401/7262315_orig.jpg?152 http://texaslid.org/images/Banner_ILSB.jpg http://www.wildflower.org/mobile/gallery/result.php?id_image=13169 http://www.surfrider.org/images/uploads/full/sio_stormwater_bioswale.jpg http://www.tlcsupply.com/tlcnews/5_16_12news.htm http://www.planetmattersandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Solar-Panels-Cost-Effective.jpg

Sustainable design with low impact development strategies are designed to be applied on the whole sites with eight main approaches. These approaches are suggested based on both the environmental/ecological efficient and cost efficient. Water saving, stormwater management and energy efficient are the main three aspects these approahces are considered.

Combine with Green Roof

http://www.home-garden-design-plans.com/Rose-Gardens.html

8 Pavilion

6 Rose Garden

7 Bio-swale

http://www.shade-n-net.com/products/ triangles/

Dining Service (total 4) New Style

Cafe

Snack Bar

Food Vender Machine

157

proposed activities zone

Development phases plan

Activities Zones

Development Phases Legend:

Legend:

Educational Activities

1 Education Promotion Demostration Garden Service Facilities

Creek Restoration and Ecosystem Protection White Creek Riparian Post Oak Savannah Wildflower Meadow 2

5 Social Activities

3 1

Recreation Activities

4 5 3

Ag Culture Showcase Activities

5 Scale:1”= 400’ 0 100 300

158

600FT

Agriculture Complex 3 Landscape Improvement Boulevard Garden Courtyard Outdoor Living Howdy Station 4

New Building Development

Tourism Development Coffee Station and Visitor Center Amphitheater Feed the World Garden 5

Scale:1”= 400’ 0 100 300

600FT

159

Table of CONTENTS

Spring 2013: Design Development Texas A&M Gardens and Greenways

Agrilife Complex Site Conditions

162

Agrilife Complex Design Program

163

Agrilife Complex Site Plan

164

Courtyard Garden Site Plan

165

Courtyard Garden Perspective And Analysis

166

Outdoor Study Area Layout Dimensions

167

Outdoor Study Area Planting Design

168

Outdoor Dinning Area Layout Dimensions

169

Outdoor Dinning Area Planting Design

170

Boulevard Garden Site Plan

171

Section A-Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; -- Agrilife Center Entrance Plaza

172

Section B-Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; -- Lawn Seating Area

173

Demonstration Gardens Site Analysis

174

Demonstration Gardens Design Program

175

Demonstration Gardens Land Use Zoning

176

Demonstration Gardens Site Plan

177

Demonstration Gardens Circulation System Plan

178

Demonstration Gardens Garden Theme

179

Seasonal Garden Layout Dimensions

180

Seasonal Garden Planting Design

181

Demonstration Garden Perspectives And Sections

182

Agrilife Complex SITE CONDITIONS

AGrilife Complex DESIGN PROGRAM

Site Condition

Design Program

Index Map

Circulation

N.T.S.

Legends: Site Location Site Boundary Existing Building

Vegetation

Grass Grass Paving Existing Tree

Existing Contour

Scale: 1â&#x20AC;?= 250â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 0

100 FT

1. Provide convenience and direct path for people to get to their destinations (cafe, A&M Garden, Agriculture Building, vista point, etc). 2. Provide outdoor various gathering spaces for both private and active group activities. 3. Create a comfortable outdoor eating area with shading and appropriately placed tables. 4. Use easily adaptable plant materials to limit maintenance. 5. Create colorful wildflower beds to beautify outdoor environment and showcase A&M Garden theme. 6. Provide ADA ramp to access vista points. 7. Provide suitable vegetation buffer from building to activity spaces. 1. Create strong sense of arrival for visitors coming from John Kimbrough Blvd, Penberlhy Blvd, and Parking Lot 100. 2. Showcase Ag Culture through landscape settings. 3. Create focal landscape feature as camera point. 4. Provide outdoor gathering space for big events that are held in Agriculture Visitor Center. 5. Improve streetscape to attract vehicles on John Kimbrough Blvd. 6. Provide efficient circulation path to direct pedestrians into Visitor Center and Garden. 7. Provide adequate shad to assure pleasant outdoor gathering environment 8. Provide Colorful annual and perennial flower beds to beautify the outdoor landscape. 9. Remain existing fire lane and assure enough space for vehicle access to buildings. 10. Provide bike parking tracks. 11. Propose shaded structure at school bus stop.

Steel Pergola

Outdoor Study

Outdoor Dining

Wildflower Trail Rainwater Cistern

Shade Analysis Summer Solstice (June 22) Shadow: 20 ft

Shadow: 5 ft

Shadow: 70 ft

Entrance Points Equinoxes (Mar 21 & Sep 23) Shadow: 18 ft

Shadow: 5 ft

Shadow: 130 ft

Shadow: 80 ft

Shadow: 40 ft

Shadow: 150 ft

Winter Solstice (Dec 22)

162

Fire Lane

Visiting Center

Water Fountain

Outdoor Seating

163

Agrilife complex site plan

COURTYARD GARDEN site plan

Site Plan

Zoning Plan

N.T.S.

15 16 15

13 17

Legends: 1 Entrance Area

5 Garden Entrance

9 Outdoor Dining Area 13 Major Circulation Path

2 Outdoor Gathering Area

6 Covered Corridor

Outdoor Study Area

ADA Ramp

3 Introduction Sign

7 Courtyard Entrance

Vista Point Area

Vegetation Buffer

4 AgLife Center Entrance

8 Cafe Entrance

Fire Lane

Lawn Area

Bio-swale

Building

Key Map

9 7

6 13

15 12

N.T.S.

18 13

2 3

Legends: 1

1 Buffer Plants 3

2 Rosemary Planter

3 Outdoor Study

4 Seating around Planter 7

5 New Visitor Center

6 Wildflower Beds

8 9

7 Agriculture Building 8 Vine Trellis

9 Outdoor Dining Area 1 Courtyard Garden 164

2 Boulevard Garden

Scale: 1”= 50’

60 FT

10 Cafe Entrance

30 FT

Scale: 1”=50’ 165

COURTYARD GARDEN perspective and analysis

OUTDOOR STUDY AREA LAYOUT DIMENSIONS

Outdoor Study Area Perspective

Circulation Analysis

Index Map

5’ Wide Path

10’ Wide Path

20’ Wide Path

Major Activity Zones Analysis N.T.S.

Legends: Cafe Entrance

Outdoor Study Area

Outdoor Dining Area

Natural Lawn Area

Sidewalk Curb Line

Vista Point

Sidewalk

Outdoor Dinning Area Perspective Lawn

Courtyard’s Bird Eye View Brick Paving I Brick Paving II Seating Raised Planter Behind Seating Courtyard: Courtyard garden is a space between AgLife Complex. It serves as a space for students’ social, relax, dining, and study. The courtyard includes two major plazas: dining plaza and outdoor study plaza.

166

Raised Planter

Scale: 1”=30’ 167

Outdoor Study Area Planting Design

Outdoor Dinning Area Layout DimensionS

Index Map

N.T.S.

Legends:

N.T.S.

Legends: Dinning Table Steel Pole Pergola Seating under Pergola

Brick Paving I Brick Paving II Lawn Sidewalk

Scale: 1”=30’

168

Sidewalk Curb Line

Scale: 1”=10’ 169

Outdoor Dinning Area Planting Design

Boulevard Garden Site Plan Index Map

Index Map Mexican Plum 4

N.T.S.

Legends:

India Hawthorn 7

Scale: 1”=10’ 170

Fire Lane

Bike Parking Tracks

Bus Vine Stop Trellis

Outdoor Gathering Area

Garden Entrance Seating AgLife Center Planter Area Entrance Plaza

Scale: 1”=150’

Pedestrian Path

171

Section A-A’ -- AgriLife Center Entrance Plaza

Section B-B’ -- Lawn Seating Area

Legends:

Metal Vine Trellis

3 Water Fountain

Lawn

3 Vine Trellis

Bench

4 AgriLife Center

Pedestrian Path

4 Seating

Scale: 1”=10’ 172

Scale: 1”=10’ 173

Demonstration Gardens sITE analysis

Demonstration Gardens Design Program

Index Map

N.T.S.

Legends: Boundary Existing Building Grass Paving Driveway Existing Pedestrian Path Existing Tree

Scale: 1â&#x20AC;?=100â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 174

Resource: Google Image

175

Demonstration Gardens Land Use Zoning

Demonstration Gardens Site Plan

Legends:

Legend: Service Area

Service Area - 0.33 acre Aggie Farm - 0.48 acre Sustainable Garden - 0.77 acre

Storage

Parking Lot

Green House

Parking Garage

Aggie Farm

Activity Lawn - 0.18 acre Demonstration Gardens - 0.52 acre

Experiment Fields

Orchard

Sustainable Garden

Vegetable/Herb Garden & Picnic Area 0.37 acre Riparian Buffer - 0.51 acre Education Center - 0.32 acre

Green Roof/Green Wall/Toxic Plants Zone

Wildlife Habitat Plants Zone

Detention Pond & Bioswale

Activity Lawn 10

Primary Trail for Pedestrian & Golf Cart

Observation Deck

Demonstration Garden

Entrance

Shrub Garden

Seasonal Garden

Garden for Outdoor Living

Vegetable/Herb Garden

176

Rotation Vegetable/Herb Garden

Picnic Area along Stream

Education Complex

Scale: 1”=100’

Large Classroom & Garden

Gazebo for Outdoor Class

Education/Introduction Garden

177

Demonstration Gardens Circulation System Plan

Demonstration Gardens Garden Theme

Legends:

Legends: Research Garden - 14,340 sf

20’ Driveway

Orchard - 4,400 sf 10’ Primary Pedestrian/Golf Cart Road

Bioswale & Detention Pond- 6,360 sf Native Plant Garden- 3,059 sf

5’ Secondary Pedestrian Trail

Native Shrub Gardens- 2,670 sf Xeriscape Garden- 3,060 sf

3’ Pedestrian/Maintenance Trail

Native Tree Garden- 1,750 sf Bird Habitat Field- 2,140 sf

Parking Lots

Clean Water Species Garden- 1,700 sf Butterfly Species Garden- 1,400 sf

Entrance

Rain Water Collection- 1,070 sf Activity Lawn- 8,000 sf Shrub Garden- 5,800 sf Seasonal Garden- 4,140 sf Outdoor Living Plant Garden- 2,690 sf Vegetable/Herb Garden- 9,500 sf Education Introduction Garden- 3,060 sf Pavilion Garden- 2,410 sf N

Scale: 1”=100’

178

Scale: 1”=100’

179

Seasonal Garden Layout DimensionS

Seasonal Garden Planting Design

Index Map

N.T.S.

Legends:

Scale: 1”=20’

180

Seasonal Flower

Tree Grate

Perennials

Seating with Tables

Tall Shrub

Seating with Retaining Wall

Grassland

Ornamental Tree

Permeable Concrete Paver (Brick Pattern)

Spot Elevation

Decomposed Granite Paver

Slope

Concrete Paver for Pedestrian Only

Concrete Paver for Golf Cart

Seat Wall

Detail Boundary

Pond with Water Plants

Point of Beginning

Scale: 1”=20’

181

Demonstration Garden PERSPECTIVES AND SECTIONS Perspective of Seasonal Garden & Picnic Area

Perspective of Seasonal Garden

Education Center and Welcome Garden

Cross Section of Seasonal Garden

Picnic Area along Riparian Buffer

Legends: Shrub Garden 8â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sidewalk Flower Plants Planting Beds Water Fountain with Planting Option Seating Perennial Plants Planting Beds

182

183

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway Comprehensive Master Plan

Texas A&M Gardens and Greenway Comprehensive Master Plan © Jon E. Rodiek Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 2013