1.  Yards and Gardens Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through “smart” gardening Climate Master Program Yards

2. Question… What does climate change have to do with my backyard? Climate Master Program Yards

3. Key Learning Points  We can reduce our energy use, sequester GHGs, and protect against climate impacts with landscaping  We can reduce our food related GHG emissions by growing food  Strategies for low-emissions yard care and outdoor living  Composting reduces waste GHG emissions from waste  Climate change will change our yards and gardens Climate Master Program Yards

4. Emission Sources Heating and cooling our homesFood productionFertilizersEnergy in machinery and outdoor heatersEmbodied emissions in furniture and toolsWaste sent to a landfill Climate Master Program Yards Source: topnews.in

5. Temp increase of 2-4 o F by 2040 and 6-8 o F by 2080. Average summer temps up by 4-6 o F by 2040 Major storm events increase in intensity Annual precipitation not likely to change but more in winter/spring and less in summer/fall Snowpack decline 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2095. Wildfire increase in low elevations causing shift in vegetation and habitat Impacts: Upper Willamette Basin

6. What can gardeners do?  Design landscape for energy efficiency  Build resilience  Grow food  Reduce use of fossil fuels  Decrease embodied emissions  Protect the soil  Conserve water  Compost Climate Master Program Yards

7. Reduce Home Energy Use with Energy Efficient Landscapes Climate Master Program Yards Source: homelandscapeplan.com

8. Saving Energy in Temperate Climates Winter Strategies  Maximize sunlight  Minimize wind Summer Strategies  Minimize sunlight  Maximize breezes Climate Master Program Yards

9. Shading Homes Climate Master Program Yards

10. Other Shading Strategies Climate Master Program Yards http://www.builditsmartvc.org/how/smartcooling1.php weatherking1.com  Use a large bush or row of shrubs to shade a patio or driveway.  Plant a hedge to shade a sidewalk.  Build a trellis for climbing vines to shade a patio area.  Shade your A/C unit

11. Cutting Wind-Chill  Windbreak trees should grow to twice the height of the building.  Wind curves around the ends of a windbreak. Windbreaks should be long in relation to their height. (10 x height).  The most effective area of a wind break is at a distance 4-6 x windbreak height.  Use shrubs, 4-5 ft. from home in compact, urban areas. Climate Master Program Yards

12. Activity: Design a Landscape for Energy Efficiency Climate Master Program Yards  Design a site that reduces energy demand  Indicate what treatment goes where  Tree/shrub/vine/groundcover  Evergreen/deciduous  Height at maturity

13. Climate Master Program Yards Example

14. Where are food emissions in US? Climate Master Program Yards

15. Food is 13% of US GHG Emissions Climate Master Program Yards

16. Grow food to reduce emissions and prepare for climate impacts Climate Master Program Yards Photo by karim nice

17. Decrease your use of fertilizers Climate Master Program Yards

18. What about lawns? “Man Jailed for Brown Lawn” Climate Master Program Yards Only $300 per treatment!

19. Push Mowers and Rakes Avoid Emissions! Climate Master Program Yards Source: rockcastle.org Source: reelmower.com

20. Gardener communities can reduce embodied emissions Climate Master Program Yards Source: Jess 's Public Gallery

21. Also Consider: BBQ Patio Heaters Outdoor living Climate Master Program Yards Wicked gardener

22. Compost eggshells, fruit and veggies waste, coffee grinds and filter paper, corncobs, grass clippings (limited), leaves, woody material, pine needles, straw and hay, shredded newspaper, sawdust, teabags, worms and other natural composters diseased plant material, weeds that have gone to seed, meat, bones, cheese, oils, salad dressings (no fats) Climate Master Program Yards Photo by karim nice

23. How might climate change impact our gardens? Climate Master Program Yards USDA Plant Hardiness Map, 1990: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

24. - Heat and related illnesses -Water shortages -Increased vector-borne diseases -Risk of property fires and flooding Building Resilience in Outdoor Spaces

25. Xeriscapes Climate Master Program Yards

26. Activity: Revise Your Landscape Reduce Emissions  Energy efficient landscape  Grow food  Reduce use of fossil fuels  Decrease embodied emissions  Protect the soil  Conserve water  Compost Build Resilience  Protect against:  Heat  Fire  Flood  Storms  Drought Climate Master Program Yards

27. Acknowledgements  Developed by the University of Oregon Climate Leadership Initiative  Information contributed from Benton County Climate Master presentations by Linda McMahan and Weston Miller Climate Master Program Yards