Experimental Nature
Understanding how different factors, such as urban development, affect biodiversity and the overall health of the environment is essential for creating effective management plans and City policies. One way to assess these variables is through experimental projects that look for ways to increase our understanding of nature’s response to increasing urbanization. These projects can help us test new ways to incorporate green infrastructure into the City of Fort Collins and evaluate the economic, social, and ecological benefits that green technology can provide. A combination of tools and options to protect biodiversity and access to nature will be essential as our city continues to grow and evolve.
Click on a project below to learn more about each experimental project.
Living Wall
The green wall is an active experiment to bring nature to unexpected places in the city. Part plant, part infrastructure – it’s living architecture! A year-round vertical installation hasn’t been tested in the challenging conditions of our local climate. By experimenting with different species and maintenance techniques over time, the research team hopes to learn what works best in Fort Collins, and share that information with the public.
The living wall is funded in part by the City’s Innovation Fund, and is a collaborative effort among Nature in the City, Parks, Urban Lab, Institute for the Built Environment, and CSU’s department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
Where is the Living Wall?
The living wall is located at 222 Laporte Avenue on the east-facing wall of the City of Fort Collins Utilities and Administration Building.
What are the Benefits of Living Walls?
With the right conditions and proper maintenance, living walls can regulate temperature, enhance habitat for wildlife, and provide health-enhancing respite from the hustle and bustle of life in the urban core.
What are the Components of a Living Wall?
The living wall is a hybrid system made up of the following components:
- A structural frame that anchors all layers to the wall.
- Modular cells called “Flexipanels” that are made of a unique, moisture retaining medium covered with felt and equipped with 30 pockets to hold plants.
- A drip irrigation system that delivers water and nutrients.
- Plants!
What's Being Tested?
Currently, 11 different species are being tested and monitored to see how they hold up to temperature extremes, drying winds, fluctuations in delivery of water and nutrients, and vertical growing conditions.
In the first year of study, the following species have been strong performers:
- Dragon’s Blood Sedum | Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’
- John Creech Sedum | Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’
- Czar’s Gold Sedum | Sedum spurium ‘Czar’s Gold’
While the following species struggled to adapt and/or overwinter:
- John Proffitt Ice Plant | Delosperma ‘John Proffitt’
- Lavender Ice, Ice Plant | Delosperma ‘Lavender Ice’
- Fire Spinner Ice Plant | Delosperma ‘Fire Spinner’
- Creeping Thyme | Thymus praecox ‘Nutmeg’
- Pink Creeping Thyme | Thymus praecox ssp. articus Coccineus
- Elfin Thyme | Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’
- Chocolate Chip Carpet Bugle | Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’
- Dog Tuff Grass | Cynodon hybrida ‘Dog Tuff’
- Buffalo Grass | Bouteloua dactyloides
How is the Living Wall Maintained?
The living wall is maintained by Parks with input from project partners. Vegetation patterns and conditions are photographed and recorded in a maintenance log that tracks key events (e.g. hand weeding, pruning, plant replacement, plant die-off, irrigation frequency, fertigation ratios, etc.). Overtime, the data collected will help maintenance staff make better management decisions for the living wall while providing insight into best management practices for living architecture in Fort Collins.
What's Next?
Initial findings are captured in the 2016-2017 monitoring report. In 2018 and 2019, the project team will continue to test species, refine maintenance techniques, and share findings with the community.
Contact us
For additional questions, please contact:
Stephanie Kopplin, Environmental Planner
City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department
970-416-4295
skopplin@fcgov.com