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"How to keep Communities looking good while also protecting them from natural disasters"?

06/01/2022 12:14 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

By Nicole Stone, LMI Landscapes

Natural disasters typically announce their arrival by uprooting trees, roaring tornados, or blazing wildfires wiping out entire landscaped communities. Geophysical, hydrological, meteorological, and climatological factors all create severe disruptions to the functioning of communities and exceed their capacity to cope with them using their own resources. Climatological disasters are becoming a much more standard part of everyday life; examples include extreme temperatures, fire, and drought. Drought, unlike most disasters, does not make a grand entrance. Most of the time, many believe it is just a dry spell, while the drought itself continues to build and grow in complete silence. Droughts happen naturally; however, human activity can exacerbate the conditions. Has your community created an action plan to continue beautification efforts while protecting a potential natural disaster again? 

We do not have a crystal ball, and mother nature does not share her forecasts with us, but we need to be mindful of current climate situations. According to the National Weather Service, the drought forecast for the next six months does not look good for Colorado. 

Drought is not an uncommon term for Colorado, highlighting the necessity of using water-wise landscape practices. It is hard to believe that almost 75% of summer water is consumed by exterior landscape vegetation. When using water-wise landscape practices, significant reductions can be gained through minor changes in the arrangement of plantings, alternative plant selection, and soil preparation.


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Xeriscape is one item that can be achieved to help reduce water use and keep a community looking beautiful. However, this term seems to confuse many individuals. Xeriscape does not mean a specific look or even grouping of plant material. It is a combination of several commonsense principles that save water while creating a tremendous colorful landscape pallet. The big question is how to accomplish this without breaking the bank.


• Planning Property Current Enhancements for water conservation and designing around the principals

• Creating practical turf areas 

• Selecting low water plant materials for the Colorado Landscape Seen

• Using proper soil amendments

• Irrigating Efficiently 

• Proper Maintenance of the landscape property  


While xeriscape can assist in water usage during droughts, we next look at protecting communities from wildfires during droughts. As building increases, we begin creeping closer and closer to wilderness areas raising the urban wildfire danger. We have seen fires rip through Colorado neighborhoods creating overwhelming devastation and overstretching community resources. Even though wildfires are natural occurrences, climatological conditions such as windy, dry, and hot can ignite vegetation quickly and spread, leaving widespread devastation.  


For communities that live near areas susceptible to wildfires, steps can be taken to protect your property and properties around you.


• Create a border or a fuel break around structures.  

• Thin and groom plant material  

• Keep grounds well maintenance 

• Remove all debris 


Climatological change is ever shifting but can have considerable impacts on communities. The best solution is to address the risks, create a solution, and start implementation to reduce your risk while keeping your community looking beautiful. While natural disasters have unfortunately become far more frequent, planning for the unknown should as well. Through planning and preparation, communities can remain beautiful while keeping the community safe for years to come.  

Nicole Stone is the Director of Maintenance Operations with LMI Landscapes.  A Nebraskan native but Coloradan at heart, Nicole Stone has over 17 years of experience in the Green Industry ranging from construction, estimating, irrigation, and maintenance. Nicole is inspired by the opportunity to create an environment where clients know their value. Nicole’s experience and qualifications have allowed her a solid understanding of business visioning, establishment, consolidation, and expansion – she continues developing and refining her innate talent for developing strong client alliances and partnerships. 

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