A regenerative landscape adds nutrients to the soil, rather than extracting them.  This is done by working with the processes of natural ecosystems to improve the health and resilience of the land, while also providing benefits to people.

What makes a landscape regenerative?

The most basic way to define a regenerative landscape is any landscape that that improves the soil without needing external inputs (once it is established). Some other key characteristics of a regenerative landscape include:

1. Use of native plants: While not every plant in the landscape has to be native, providing more native plants provides the native wildlife food and habitat, thereby helping the ecosystem as a whole to thrive.
2. Soil health: Regenerative landscapes prioritize the health of the soil, which is essential for the growth of plants and the overall health of the ecosystem. This is achieved by increasing organic matter and biodiversity, promoting nutrient cycling and overall fertility.
3. Water management: Regenerative landscapes use techniques such as rainwater harvesting, swales, ponds, and other methods to store and distribute water more efficiently, to reduce the use of irrigation, and to mimic the natural water cycle.
4. Low-impact design: Regenerative landscapes are designed to minimize the negative impact on the environment and the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other harmful inputs.
5. Carbon sequestration: Regenerative landscapes capture and store carbon in the soil, which can help to mitigate the effects of climate change.
6. Biodiversity: Regenerative landscapes promote biodiversity and habitat creation, supporting a wide range of species.
7. Human experience: Regenerative landscapes are designed to enhance the human experience, by creating beautiful, functional spaces that foster a sense of connection to nature and provide a wide range of benefits.
8. Self-sustaining: regenerative landscapes create functional, self-sustaining systems that are able to maintain their health and productivity over time, with minimal input from humans.

Ultimately, regenerative landscaping aims to create functional, self-sustaining systems that not only benefit the environment but also improve the quality of life for the people who use them.

There are many benefits of regenerative landscaping:

• It benefits the environment by reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and gas-powered equipment.

• By allowing organic material to decompose, nutrients are made available for new life to form.

• At the same time, carbon is captured in the soil, thereby reducing greenhouse gasses.

• An abundance of plant life also helps prevent water runoff and erosion, and provides food and habitat for wildlife.

• Healthy soil and greater biodiversity makes the landscape more resilient to changes in climate.

• Fewer inputs required because of nutrient cycling make the systems sustainable for the long term.

• Finally, regenerative landscapes foster a connection to the land, and to the community.