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Publication Date
2025-5
Document Type
Capstone
Study Type
ENV 312
Department
Environmental Science and Policy
Advisors
Alexander Barron
Abstract
Adapting privately-owned green space from monoculture turf lawns to more biodiverse alternatives offers a way for communities to build resilience to risks associated with climate change. City governments such as Northampton are seeking recommendations for affecting these transitions within their municipalities. This paper offers recommendations developed over a semester of research focused on adapting private green space to increase pollinator habitats, stormwater retention and reduce pollution. In order to develop these recommendations, we conducted a three-part research process. First, we mapped sample tiles of different land use tiles in Northampton to determine the significance of privately owned green spaces to gauge the potential impacts of management adaptation. Second, we conducted research into several scales of comparable initiatives in an effort to assess efficacy and determine what elements of these plans might be translatable to the Northampton context. Third, we interviewed six industry professionals to gain a better understanding of the landscape of green space management in Northampton. Through these three areas, we developed a tiered set of recommendations for transitioning green space management strategies to encourage climate resiliency. Finally, we developed two recommendations for the City: first, that they launch an education and lobbying campaign to effect change at the community level in green space management practices, and second, that they conduct further research into the potential for establishing formal policy to incentivize sustainable green space management practices.
Rights
©2025 Maddie Antonellis, Maggie Brisbois, Sophia Holmes, and Ursula Siegfried
Recommended Citation
Antonellis, Maddie; Brisbois, Maggie; Holmes, Sophia; and Siegfried, Ursula, "Adapting Private Green Space for Climate Resilience" (2025). Capstone, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/other_projects/266
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