Because so many species are declining due to habitat loss from human action, Conservation Gardening and Sustainable Landscaping seeks to create a new land stewardship paradigm for homeowners, municipal and regional land-use planners, landscapers, nursery owners, business owners, environmental commissions, planning and zoning boards, developers, community open-space advocates, college and other school grounds keepers, highway departments, and industrial park owners.;Reasons for the decline of species and the degradation of natural ecosystems and loss of ecosystem services are discussed. Most causes for the decline of species are due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation due to human action. Private landowners can reverse many of these trends by changing their landscaping practices with a goal of giving a portion of their land back to wildlife: to create habitat to counter the rampant loss of habitat due to development. Better landscaping practices in general would ensure that land that is not specifically devoted to wildlife would also provide benefits to wildlife. This would also dispel the idea that if we need land for our own purposes that need automatically excludes use by wildlife.;Sustainable practice is defined by using the American lawn as the antithesis. Water use and conservation measures are discussed with the goal of managing rainwater where it falls and thoughtful choice of plants that would require less irrigation. Native plants form the backbone of any project devoted to creating space for wildlife. Best methods for choosing the best plants for any particular site are suggested.
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