ReScape is addressing climate change by providing a regenerative, nature-based whole systems watershed foundation for landscaping education, workforce development and policy.
Our Vision
Diverse Workforce Training
Through our Diverse Workforce Development Program (DWDP) ReScape is creating a future where regenerative landscaping is the cornerstone of sustainable development, driven by a diverse and equitable workforce. Our nature-based, whole systems training empowers individuals, companies, and public agencies to transform landscapes into thriving ecosystems. Working with and supporting underserved and marginalized communities, we equip professionals to tackle climate challenges and drive economic success. Committed to climate equity, policy advocacy, and environmental resilience, ReScape is shaping the green jobs sector for a regenerative, thriving and prosperous tomorrow.
Climate Equity
ReScape’s whole systems foundation requires that landscaping and land use must include and listen to communities of concern, those lacking access and unequally effected by a warming planet. Too much planning is based on historical models that are no longer working. Climate change issues need to be addressed recognizing current conditions. We must work with communities, not on behalf of them; and ensure a healthy environment, job equity and economic benefits for all. The only workable climate change solutions call in a new map, and include racial, environmental and socioeconomic justice.
Advocacy & Policy
ReScape advocates for state and regional policies, permits and ordinances that encourage and enable implementation of and compliance in regenerative land use.
Landscapes produce 12% of GHG emissions. Opportunities exist to reduce emissions and increase the potential to sequester carbon from the atmosphere by enhancing sinks. At a time when climate change, coupled with biodiversity loss, has created a profound, existential planetary emergency, there is an urgent need for the ‘nature-based solutions’ provided by restored and climate positive landscapes.
Our policy focus creates the framework for adoption of legislation at governmental and civic levels to implement regenerative principles that address earthscaping climate change issues.
Why Regenerative?
ReScape has moved away from sustainable landscaping practices. Sustainable implies keeping the ecosystem stable, the same, where it is right now.
What ReScape is doing goes far beyond keeping things the same. Regenerative landscaping is the required change in the approach to conventional landscape management. Our whole systems regenerative work nurtures resources, rather than destroying them. Leaving them better than before- because that is what our depleted planet needs now and into the future.
Regenerative landscaping is environmental stewardship that focuses on restoring ecosystems and maintaining healthy habitats. It utilizes natural processes to create a landscape that works in harmony with nature to rebuild healthy soil, support biosequestration, nurture drought-tolerant and native plants, mitigate extreme heat, and improve the water cycle. It produces additional multiple benefits and helps reduce the impacts of a warming planet.
Regenerative landscaping acknowledges the deep complexity and precious diversity of our ecosystems and results in lower maintenance requirements, low- to no-pesticide practices, better habitat support, an increase in biodiversity, stormwater and flood resilience, and better carbon sequestration.
It inspires a long-term vision, not short-term fixes, that encourages continual science-based innovation for environmental, social, economic and spiritual health and well-being.
According to the UN, through soil erosion, we annually lose 24 billion tons of fertile land- nearly the size of England. This means we only have 60 years of topsoil left if we continue modern industrial agricultural practices. Research shows that nature-based solutions and the broader land sector could contribute up to 30% of the climate mitigation needed by 2050.
Since 2009 ReScape programs have included:
4300+
landscape professionals
950+
home gardeners
134+
rated commercial, civic, &
residential landscapes
1005+
partners, guardians,
& sponsors
Rated Landscapes
A foundational ReScape workforce and marketplace development focus is our Rated Landscapes Program, that recognizes excellence in regenerative landscape design, construction and maintenance practices. The rating system applies to new construction or major renovations of civic, commercial, institutional and multifamily property landscapes and creates healthy, drought-tolerant and environmentally sound landscapes.
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ReScape Partnership Program
ReScape’s climate action activities have evolved into our Partnership Program that brings together vendors, communities, beyond the landscaping industry. Join us as we work together in the fight against climate change. See which of our 8 Principles you align with and others you are striving for. We’re excited to work with you!
News & Calendar
We post our monthly newsletters, as well as frequent updates about climate change, advocacy, policy, and educational resources for the ReScape community.