Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning (LARP) - Research Guide
Internet Links
The following Internet sites have been carefully selected as appropriate for academic researchers in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning.
COMMUNITIES
The Cohousing Association of the United States
Promotes the cohousing concept, supports individuals and groups in creating communities, provides assistance for improving systems for community living, and creates networking opportunities for those involved or interested in cohousing.
Livable Communities: Creating Environments for Successful Aging
Report discussing barriers to necessary community engagement for the elderly (e.g., home design, transportation, affordable housing). Also offers solutions to the problems.
Walkable Communities
From large cities to small towns to parts of communities (e.g. neighborhoods, business districts, parks, school districts, subdivisions, roadway corridors), this organization assists them with becoming more walkable and pedestrian friendly.
CONSERVATION
American Farmland Trust
Policy and projects regarding farmland protection and stewardship. Includes the
Audubon Society
Links for sanctuaries, open space, natural heritage, and high-quality habitat throughout the U.S.
Preserves exceptional American gardens for the public's education and enjoyment. Offers a variety of projects and a calendar of events.
National Parks Conservation Association
Protects and enhances
Nature Conservancy
Covers natural heritage sites and other regionally significant areas.
The Trustees of Reservations
Includes a directory of protected properties, land conservation, and events in all parts of
ECOLOGY
American Rivers
Supports healthy rivers, abundant fish and wildlife, and thriving river communities. Contains basic river information, a directory of groups, plus reports and documents to assist citizens with advocating for the restoration of local rivers.
Ecological Society of
Enhances communication amongst ecologists and between the ecological community and policy-makers. Includes information for educators and students, careers, funding, and programs.
Environmental News Network
Daily coverage of environmental news, plus a searchable archive, radio, video and podcast programs, a forum and photo gallery. Covers sustainable economy, energy, food, ecosystems, water, wildlife, science & technology, and conservation.
New England Topics
Extensive information on a wide range of environmental topics including communities, ecosystems, energy, human health, pollutants, water, and environmental education.
GARDENS AND PARKS
City Parks
Directory of projects completed through the Trust for Public
Therapeutic Landscapes Network
International knowledge base and gathering space about healing gardens, restorative landscapes, and other green spaces that facilitate health and well-being.
Urban Parks Online
Information on the philosophy, funding, management, design, and planning of public spaces which build and strengthen communities.
GREEN DESIGN / BUILDING
Green Builder
Articles, discussions, events, and a directory of professionals committed to sustainable practices.
Green Resource Center
Offers programs, services, events, a directory of green home tours, and a materials database. Links for consumers, building professionals, and green product manufacturers.
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
The nation's leading regional education and advocacy association that aims to accelerate the deployment and use of renewable energy, green buildings, and energy efficiency. Based in Greenfield,
Introduction to Permaculture: Concepts and Resources
Overview of concepts, applications, resources, and a bibliography on permaculture.
IMAGES
American Landscape and Architectural Design, 1850-1920
Approximately 2,800 lantern slides representing an historical view of American buildings and landscapes built between 1850-1920. Offers views of cities, buildings, parks, estates, and gardens.
Botanical Society of
Images from fourteen collections: Plant Geography, Plant Morphology, Phloem Development, Xylem Development, Floral Ontogeny, Lichens, Economic Botany, Carnivorous Plants, Organography, Pollen, Paleobotany, Plant Defense Mechanisms, Plant Anatomy, and Cellular Communication.
MAPPING
Datalayers/GIS Database
Organized by Base Map, Environmental, and Census. Includes details on the Massachusetts State Plane coordinate system and a brief overview on understanding map scale. Datalayers include demographics, topography, coastal/marine features, physical resources, and hydrographic features.
Geographic Information Systems - GIS Lounge Link Library
Annotated links to topical GIS applications (e.g., local government, military, real estate, crime, agriculture) as well as tutorials, developer resources, discussions, and data warehouses.
PLANT SCIENCE
Horticulture World
Extensive sources for plants, supplies, software solutions, books, educational references, and general business-to-business horticultural information.
Invasive Species
Gateway to federal efforts concerning invasive species. Includes selective species profiles and links to agencies and organization dealing with invasive species issues.
Living Collections Database
Botanical information and images of countless species. Databases may be searched simultaneously . Grouped by
Native Plant Information Network
Includes a database of information on over 5,200 wildflower species, and another of over 17,000 images, along with a botanical glossary and bibliography.
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
Part of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and one of the programs forming the Natural Heritage network. Responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state. Includes a database of 13,000 records of species and natural community occurrences, and a copy of the current list of Massachusetts' protected rare species.
New England Wildflower Society
Provides information regarding the conservation of North American native plants through education, research, horticulture, habitat preservation, and advocacy.
Plants Database
Provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the
United States
Close-up graphics of hardiness zones by region.
PRESERVATION
Library of American Landscape History
Produces educational books and exhibitions about North American landscape that encourage thoughtful stewardship of the land.
Preservation Directory
Directories for historic societies, properties for sale, restoration professionals, walking tours, mailing lists, museums, and more.
TRANSPORTATION
- Last Updated: Sep 4, 2025 9:52 AM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/landscape
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