Valencia College
OP-T2-19: Native Plants

Valencia College has the following policy in its Architectural and Engineering Guidelines for new construction: 2.11 Landscaping 2.11.1 Statement of Intent Landscape designs should be developed to provide landscaping that is relatively low cost and low maintenance and should emphasize simplicity, balance and ecological sensitivity. Designs should incorporate plant materials that are water wise, disease, pest and drought tolerant. The use of native plant material and natural plant arrangements is strongly encouraged, whenever possible. Natural landscaping is considered an important component of the design and the designer shall make every effort to incorporate existing natural landscapes into the design and to preserve any natural vegetation on the site. Landscape and site designs should preserve existing trees to the maximum extent possible. Proposed removal of existing trees shall be thoroughly evaluated before committing to a design strategy. The college encourages the preservation of wildlife habitat and the consideration of wildlife use in plant material selection. Landscape designs shall be based on the long term cost effectiveness and sustainability of the materials selected. The use of materials requiring excessive pruning, which drop noxious fruit or plant parts is discouraged. Landscape designs shall be cognizant of the need for a safe and secure environment for campus users. The use of inappropriate plant materials (e.g., poisonous, sharp needled, nuisance or invasive) is discouraged. Landscape and pedestrian area lighting shall be incorporated into the landscape design. In general, all designs shall promote the principles of low cost, safe, sustainable, cost efficient and low maintenance landscapes.

Our new buildings have native plant landscapes, we did extensive native landscaping on East Campus in conjunction with a parking lot expansion, and we are seeking to replace non-native ornamentals with natives over a period of time.