Pacific Lutheran University
OP-T2-19: Native Plants

PLU places high priority on the use of native plant species whenever possible. Plants that are native to the Northwest have better disease and pest resistance. When long existing non-native species become unhealthy, they are removed and replaced with a native alternative. Weeding is done mostly by hand and the waste is burned or tilled up. The area is then covered in recycled wood mulch or nontoxic wood-debris mulch that is made from tree and shrub debris that is chipped on campus or at local tree companies. Beds with weeds that are difficult to remove are converted into grass lawn to prevent the use of hazardous chemicals. The goal is to use plants that are drought-resistant to reduce the need for watering during the summer months. Native plants comprise of over 80% of PLU’s new plantings. Ivy and blackberry are removed and discouraged to allow natives to regenerate or to give planting areas. Every summer, goats are brought in to chew down the blackberry bushes to allow for space for native plants to grow or be planted.