Connecticut College
OP-9: Landscape Management

Excluded are undeveloped property including Arboretum Natural Areas, Arboretum Management Areas.

The 165 acres managed organically include the main campus, Carolyn Black Garden, Native Plant Collection and outdoor theater. These spaces are managed without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides. The exception are ash, hemlock and elm trees which receive a direct injection of systemic pesticides in accordance with IPM. There are approximately 5 acres of turf in the Native Plant Collection and Caroline Black Garden which we manage using the NOFA Organic Landcare Standards without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

Pests are populations of living organism (animals, plants, or microorganism) that damage or interfere with desirable plants or aesthetics, or impact human or ecosystem health. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that establishes a sustainable approach to managing pests by utilizing detailed knowledge of the pest organism’s life cycle and ecology to intervene in the most effective and appropriate manner utilizing management tools that minimize economic, health and environmental risks. The Arboretums IPM program specifically addresses pests and pathogens that effect the living collections and managed landscapes and greenhouses at Connecticut College.

The 5 acres managed by an IPM program include the turf playing field which receive a high chemical and fertilizer inputs in accordance with an IPM Plan.

The CC Arboretum has written policies for plant collection development, ecological land management and control of invasive species, mitigating of tree damage during construction among others. We manage a 30 native plant collection established in 1931, and favor regionally native species in most new campus landscaping projects. The Campus landscape features plants a diversity of plants across the northern temperate region that exhibit high ornamental value and provide ecosystem services.

The Arboretum protects approximately 583 acres including fresh and tidal wetlands, streams, ponds and vernal pools. Most roof drains on campus buildings lead either to the ground surface or to dry wells. There is a demonstration bioswale in the Native Plant Collection and at Sprout Garden (student farm). Classes in geology have done projects examining streams / wetlands in order to develop remediation plans.

Lawns are mowed with mulching blades, clippings left in place. Wood chips generated on site are used extensively for mulching planting beds and around trees and shrubs. We have an active compost program which converts campus green waste into a useable soil additive and all leaves collected in the fall are composted on site. For approx. 5 acres of turf in the Native Plant Collection and Caroline Black Garden compost generated on site is spread at least three times annually. For landscape and construction materials we attempt source locally to avoid shipping carbon footprint and utilize locally available materials.

All new buildings and renovations adhere to the principles set forth in the Sustainable Sites Initiative. We assess landscapes by land use type and visibility and modify management approaches to reduce excessive carbon intensive management. We have converted several acres of turfed landscape into meadows that are mowed once annually which reduces fossil fuel consumption and creates wildlife habitat. We focus on growing and planting perennials and woody plants to reduce product cost and carbon associated with annual plantings.

On the campus we select tree and shrub species with known stress tolerance and disease resistance to limit watering needs and chemical inputs. The College recently implemented a sustainable building policy which includes landscape be designed in accordance with Sustainable Sites Initiative guidelines. The Arboretum has been a leader in the development of the field of ecological land management and implements these strategies into management. Examples include low mow grasses, organic turf management, selection of stress tolerant species, meadow development and a focus on growing native plant species to promote ecosystem services.