Wellesley College
OP-10: Landscape Management

The plan includes threshold levels, chemicals that we can and cannot use, and drinking water regulation. We are in a zone 2 watershed so everything written adheres to this specific zone policy which is part of DEP regulations; some parts of the campus, including the entire arboretum, are considered zone 1 are are even more highly protected. We are dedicated to finding new and innovative ways of dealing with pests; Galerucella Beetles were introduced both naturally and as part of a student research project in 2007 and are providing biological control for one of the College’s most invasive species, Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Additionally, where possible the College is using “green” products such as Neem Oil and citric acid mixtures to control some insects and as an herbicide, respectively.

Our goal is to utilize cutting-edge techniques in our landscape, to promote our efforts actively and to generate interest nationally as a model institution. We are continuing to turn over more high maintenance areas to more naturalistic areas, including prioritizing native plantings. Providing excellent horticultural techniques promotes a healthier and mor resilient landscape.

The Wellesley College landscape is transitioning into a more naturalistic landscape which is more sustainable. Many high maintenance lawn areas are being returned to a more naturalistic state, which includes native plantings. This prioritizes native plants while increasing wildlife habitat; this also decreases the use of pesticides, irrigation, and fossil fueled equipment.

The college composts 100% of yard waste generated on campus. The compost is mixed with other amendments, primarily sand, and is then re-used on campus for landscape projects. The college also grinds all woody debris including brush, trees, which are not utilized for firewood, and stumps to produce mulch. The landscape is an extremely high priority for the institution, we are very fortunate that our college is dedicated to preserving a natural and beautiful landscape for the community to enjoy.

The college is dedicated to preservation of the natural landscape both by recycling waste generated in order to create soil and mulch which can be used elsewhere on campus and by limiting the chemicals that can and cannot be used on campus. As part of the Charles River Watershed, we have policy regulations of what chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, and otherwise) that can be used. We are constantly investigating more efficient operations and equipment to lessen environmental impact. Applications of fertilizers are now based on scientific soil analysis, applying fertilizers only as needed in specific formulations including organic. This is all balanced within the diverse needs of campus life while protecting and enhancing the more naturalistic areas of campus. Our Edible Ecosystems Teaching Garden in particular is a site where the college explores the possibility of a naturally self-sufficient and self-maintaining "forest" of edibles for our use and without a need for human intervention into the nutrient cycle. http://www.wellesley.edu/wcbg/our_gardens/edible_ecosystem_teaching_garden

With the exception of some of the very large landscape projects, the college’s yard waste area produces all the loam required for projects. Our yard waste composting facility is located on college property so this minimizes transportation significantly. Approximately 95% of all mulch used on campus is ground woody debris generated on our campus.

Wellesley College is located in the Charles River Watershed which is highly protected and has restored 8 acres of protected natural wetlands on campus, including around the previously heavily polluted paint shop pond. The College is committed and required to protect its aquifers by the Department of Environment Protection by reducing potable water consumption in its buildings through efficiency measures, as well as implementing creative building and landscape designs that facilitate the reuse and management of storm water using our storm water pollution program. Wherever feasible the storm water is "daylighted" and passes through vegetated swales before entering Lake Waban

We use a couple of different weather services to try to pay close attention to the weather. We have one person on grounds who controls all application of road salt and use, which makes the operation extremely precise and cautious. We also use treated salts which increases the efficiency of the salt itself, helping melt ice and snow to a lower temperature. We have reduced at least 25% of the salt use over all. We are very careful with salt applications since our own wells on campus are the source of our potable water.

Wellesley college has multiple wetland habitats that are protected by the college and state law. Large amounts of shoreline bordering Lake Waban is undeveloped and is wildlife habitat. There is also a vernal pool on the golf course. By virtue of Massachusetts Conservation Laws, we have a 100 foot buffer zone around the lake and all wetland areas as well as 300 feet for moving bodies of water, which limits disturbance among natural habitats.