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Success Stories

Dona Spring Animal Shelter: A Healthy Landscape for People, Pets and Wildlife

The Dona Spring Municipal Animal Shelter, a beautiful new facility at the north end of Berkeley's Aquatic Park, replaces a well-worn shelter built in the 1950s. Named in honor Dona Spring, a former Berkeley Councilmember and longtime advocate for animal welfare, the new shelter is highly visible from the freeway and more accessible to visitors and volunteers. The two-story building has many improved features, including state-of-the-art animal adoption rooms for dogs and cats, a medical suite for on-site spay and neutering, expanded facilities for animal health care, fenced-in play areas, indoor-outdoor kennels, and more. 
 
LANDSCAPE HIGHLIGHTS
  • Rain gardens, grass pavers in the parking area and a green roof slow the flow of rainwater, allowing it to sink into the soil and recharge the aquifer rather than running off into stormdrains
  • The green roof also helps insulate the building and provides habitat for birds, insects and other beneficial wildlife
  • Shielded exterior lights reduce light pollution to the sky
  • Fencing covered with vines provides green screening
RESULTS
  • 144,000 gallons of irrigation water saved annually compared to a conventional landscape
  • 52% of landscape construction and demolition debris recycled
  • 16 tons of local, recycled compost used
  • 31 tons of recycled mulch used
  • 95% of new plants are low water species
  • Bay-Friendly landscape practices reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 8 to 17 tons CO2E

PROJECT DETAILS

Bay-Friendly Rated Landscape score: 116

Year rated: 2013

Bay-Friendly Rater: Cynthia Greenberg, Placeworks

 

 

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