Position

Landscaping with native plants conserves biodiversity through the protection,

renovation and installation of native plants. For example, native plants can help reduce
our carbon footprint and absorb spare rainfall and avert water from directly going into
our streams and rivers benefiting the production of clean water. In conclusion,
landscaping with native plants is absolutely beneficial towards the environment and
should be highly encouraged.

History of the Problem

1. How did it develop?
Natural landscaping is the solution to the consequences of turfgrass lawns
and ornamental plants on biodiversity. Landscaping with turf and ornamentals
impacts biodiversity by limiting the diversity of native species and impacting the
surround natural environments. The turfgrass and ornamental plants dominated
landscapes create an artificial environment that hinders the growth of native
species. The impact of turfgrass lawns and ornamental plants on biodiversity has
created an ongoing increase in the need for natural landscaping.

2. How was it discovered?

Most of our lives we have been taught the opposite. For example, we have
been taught to remove weeds and to replace them with other plants. Now, this
has led to the discovery of natural landscaping, which is in fact returning the
landscaping methods back to natural landscaping.

3. What have other parties done to help solve this issue?

There are a variety of websites and organizations dedicated to informing
and persuading the general public about natural landscaping. For example,
wildones.org is leading the natural landscaping movement, and in their website
consist of an abundance of information ranging from what a native plant is to how
to get started with natural landscaping.

4. What are the relevant laws or treaties?

Brussels, 8 June 1982
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Government of
the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
Considering that the Third Benelux Intergovernmental Conference, held in Brussels on
20 and 21 October 1975, decided that, within the framework of an active Benelux
environmental policy, nature conservation, the preservation of natural areas and the
protection of landscapes of value constitute a practical objective,
Having regard to the advice issued on 13 December 1980 by the Benelux Consultative
Interparliamentary Council,
Have decided to conclude a Convention to this end and have
agreed as follows:
Article I
1. The purpose of this Convention is to regulate concerted action and co-operation
among the three Governments in the field of conservation, management and
rehabilitation of the natural environment and landscapes.

2. For the purposes of this Convention, these terms shall have the following meaning:
natural environment: the physical surroundings of man, including a-biotic (non-living)
elements such as rocks, water and the atmosphere and biotic (living) elements
embracing natural and semi-natural biocenoses including plants and animals in the wild
states;
natural area: an area in which the biocenoses are not, are no longer, or are only slightly
influenced by human action, except where such action is intended to preserve or
develop these biocenoses;
landscape: a tangible part of the earth defined by the relation and interaction of various
factors: soil, relief, water, climate, flora, fauna and man. Within a specified landscape
unit, these phenomena give rise to a pattern resulting from the combination of natural,
cultural, historical, functional and visual aspects. The landscape may be considered as
a reflection of the attitude of the community to its natural environment and the way in
which it acts on this environment;
conservation, management and rehabilitation: passive or active measures intended to
preserve or develop biological, cultural, historical and aesthetic values;
transboundary park or area: a park or area lying across an intra-Benelux border.

Article 2
To achieve the purposes referred to in article 1, the three Governments agree to cooperate in the following areas:
1. harmonization of relevant policy principles and instruments, to the extent that they

deem necessary, and, in particular, the harmonization of laws and regulations

governing the subject of this Convention;
2. information exchange and concerted action on new measures and new developments
to align or coordinate the policies of each of the three countries with regard to
transboundary natural areas and landscapes of value;
3. organization of co-ordinated information and education campaigns;
4. exchange of scientific data and, as appropriate, the conduct of joint research;
5. co-ordinated implementation of agreements concluded within a wider international
framework.

Article 3
To ensure effective protection of their transboundary natural areas and landscapes of
value, the three Governments shall undertake or develop the following activities:
1. development of protection and management concepts for transboundary natural
areas and landscapes of value, including transboundary parks, as well as areas of
importance for migratory species; definition of criteria to be fulfilled by the aforesaid
areas, their protection and management;
2. establishment of an inventory, demarcation and granting of protective status to the
areas referred to in subparagraph 1, on which a decision has been taken in accordance
with article 1 of the present Convention;
3. establishment of harmonious programmes for the management and protection of the
areas referred to in subparagraph 1, on which a decision has been taken in accordance
with article 4 of the present Convention;

4. regular concerted action with a view to implementing the programmes referred to in

subparagraph 3 above:
5. reciprocal consultation on development projects involving the aforesaid
transboundary areas and which might adversely affect them.

Article 4
To achieve the objectives set forth in articles 2 and 3, the Committee of Ministers of the
Benelux Economic Union shall take decisions, in conformity with article 18 of the Treaty
for the Union and taking into account the particular circumstances of each country or
part of a country. Such decisions shall be binding on the three Governments and shall
be published in each of the three States in the form laid down for the publication of
treaties.

Article 5

The three Governments shall take the measures required to implement the programmes
referred to in article 3, subparagraph 3, apply them and, if necessary, adapt them.

Article 6

The Contracting Parties shall retain the right to adopt measures stricter than those
provided for in this Convention.

Article 7
1. Each of the three Governments retains the right to authorize departures from the
provisions of this Convention and to the decisions taken to implement it, subject to the
prior approval of the Committee of Ministers recorded in a decision taken in conformity
with article 4 of this Convention.
2. In the cases of emergency, however, and as long as there is no prejudice to the
objectives of this Convention, each of the Governments may adopt and apply measures
that depart from the provisions of this Convention, over a maximum period of
three months, pending decision by the Committee of Ministers. The other Governments
shall be informed of such provisional departure from this Convention through the
Secretary-General of the Benelux Economic Union.

Article 8
In pursuance of article 1, paragraph 2, of the Treaty relating to the institution and statute
of a Benelux Court of Justice, the provisions of this Convention shall be designated as
common legal rules for the application of chapters III and IV of the aforesaid Treaty.

Article 9
In the case of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the present Convention shall apply only
to territory in Europe.

Article 10
1. This Convention shall be subject to ratification. The instruments of ratification shall be
deposited with the Secretary-General of the Benelux Economic Union, who shall inform
the Contracting Parties of the deposit of such instruments.
2. It shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of
deposit of the third instrument of ratification.
3. It shall remain in force for the same period as the Treaty instituting the Benelux
Economic Union,
In witness whereof, the undersigned, duly authorized for the purpose, have signed this
Convention.
Done at Brussels on 8 June 1982, in triplicate, in the Dutch and French languages, both
texts being equally authentic.

Causes of the problem

Causes would be the use of a standardized approach when designing a landscape.
When choosing, the only options that are available are the options that are pleasing to
the eye. These options are plants that are abundant in color and shape, but they dont
really provide any benefits to the surrounding environment. In addition, they are actually
hurting the environment. This type of landscaping is visually appealing, but in the near
future may cause the transformation of the desert in the future. The lawn is connected

to humans, wherever humans go lawns are surely to follow. It is very pleasing to look at,
but the lawn is a curse brought by the humans. Barely anything can survive in a lawn
habitat and it has been leading to the downfall of species because as humans expand
so do lawns. Consequently, the concept of biodiversity will cease to exist.

Consequences of the problem

1. PresentNatural landscaping is to solve the present problem of turfgrass and ornamental plants.
The problem is that they might be pleasing to the eye, but the truth is that most wildlife
cannot survive in these environments. Wildlife doesnt have a chance to thrive when
they are surrounded by so little. Lawns actually provides a net loss of environmental
benefits when you consider the inputs of fuel, fertilizer pesticides.

2. FutureConsequences of not landscaping with native plants in the future is inability for wildlife
to survive, bees pollinate, birds migrate, etc. The whole balance of the natural
ecosystem tips over and causes native habitats to become fragmented. Without natural
landscaping, the native plants that are essential to the balance and function of the web
of life (ex. Birds, beneficial insects, microorganisms in native soils, and other wildlife) is
abolished. This ecosystem has been a cycle that has been functioning together, and
evolving together over a good long period of time. These ecosystems depend on each
other for food and nutrients. We as humans are invasive species to this natural
landscaping of native plants because of selfish human ambition that destroys

ecosystems. This will overwhelm the ecosystems fragile balance to and of life. Without
the natural checks and balances, we outgrow and out-function these native plants and
the results would be less biodiversity and another problem that we humans would need
to fix on top of all the mess weve created that needs to be crucially and rapidly fixed .

Proposed solution(s) to the problem

1. Action Steps
First, you need to relearn landscaping in order to be able to fix it properly with proper
and right knowledge. Then you would need to have an in-depth research and raise
awareness into the communities around you and if possible, globally. Then we together
as a community need to devise a plan to knit the fragments of a broken, destroyed
ecosystem into a life-sustaining corridor. The biggest thing would to have awareness
everywhere. Everyone to maintain some kind of natural plants within their home. Create
community gardens that sustain natural, native plants.

The Opposition
1. Rebuttal to opposing position
However, there are actually benefits to turfgrass. Turfgrass provides a natural and safe
setting for interactions, releases oxygen plus cools the air, and it also control pollution
and reduces soil erosion. How can you not enjoy the beauty of your landscape with the
plus of it helping the environment? In addition, a well maintained lawn will actually
increase the value of your property. Next, ornamental plants are pleasing to look at and

are an effective way to bring attention to for example your business. In conclusion, the
use of turfgrass and ornamentals are beneficial to the environment

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