Introduction
Part of the Natural Capital Program, The Landscape Lab is a living vegetative lab spanning the diamond interchanges at Exit 6 of I-85 near LaGrange, Georgia. This living lab is made possible through a partnership between The Ray, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and the College of Environment + Design at the University of Georgia. The project focuses broadly on effectively establishing flowering perennial meadows from seed with no irrigation on roadsides in Georgia and the greater Southeast region.
The overarching goal of the landscape lab is to develop effective seed mixes, using largely native plants for use on highways and utility corridors throughout the region. The project provides multiple seasons of flowering events that provide critical pollinator habitats and other ecosystems to support biodiversity. These pollinator habitats act to also make road travel more beautiful all while supporting The Ray’s mission. Innovation in the transportation industry plays a key role in offsetting carbon emissions. Native plants are vital in strengthening habitats for wildlife, and research proves they optimize impact for a more sustainable future.
A portion of this research builds on the work of two celebrated figures in the field of landscape architecture: James Hitchmough and Joan Nassauer.
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