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Creating Wildlife Habits at LSU

Creating Wildlife Habits at LSU. Spring 2011 Alicia thomas. Introduction.

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Creating Wildlife Habits at LSU

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  1. Creating Wildlife Habits at LSU Spring 2011 Alicia thomas

  2. Introduction The Wildlife Habitat project will tackle one objective of LSU’s goal to improve overall campus sustainability by creating wildlife habitats/gardens on the main campus in accordance with National Wildlife Federation (NWF) guidelines.  NWF’s criteria for a wildlife habitat call for an area providing at least two sources each of food, water, cover, and a place to rear young maintained by sustainable gardening practices. • How the project will contribute to overall campus sustainability goals: • Provide educational, recreational, and service opportunities • Meet AASHE STARS Standards (Grounds, Native Planting, Wildlife Habitat requirements) • Receive recognition for having NWF Certified Wildlife Habitats. • Fulfill LSU’s internal Green Campus Initiative:

  3. Introduction Green Campus Initiative: • “Campus Ground and Land Use LSU has a large campus that encompasses numerous acres and ecosystems and impacts an even larger regional area. The concepts of sustainable development can be incorporated into campus design to preserve these diverse ecosystems” • “The main campus at LSU covers more than 1,000 acres with adjacent University owned properties of another 1,000 acres. Of this area 650+ acres are maintained to a manicured presentation. Another 200 acres are maintained to roadside and field standards. There are about 10,000 square feet of annual color beds on campus that require maintenance. Mature trees count well over 5,000.” - OFS Website

  4. Background - Habitat A habitat provides at least two sources of food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young and incorporates sustainable gardening practices into management plan.

  5. Background – AASHE University Examples • Tier 2-1 Native Plants: • A landscaping policy that calls for exclusive use of native plants, shrubs, vines, grasses • A landscaping policy that calls for the use of native and adaptive species when feasible • Tier 2-3 Wildlife Habit • maintained native trails/habitat areas on campus (varying from courtyards to acres of parks) • designated wildlife habitats with restrictive construction and build policies • artificial housing (bat boxes, bird houses) added to existing gardens or tree zone • bio-swales , rain gardens created to improve water quality and provide habitat

  6. Background - biodiversity on campus Past significant projects relative to : Live Oak Preservation/Endowment (2007?) http://liveoaks.lsu.edu/ • Survey of individual trees on campus • Survey on other species started but no information available • Tree Preservation Plan required for new construction RNR Interactive tour http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/webtour/listsite.htm#Ur5 - RNR Building – mostly tree species - Life Sciences yard - mostly tree species Green Tiger Project • Originated by LSU Foundation • Annual Spring Greening Day - Students help to beautify campus - Project provides education about sustainability and recycling

  7. Goals & Objectives. • To increase sustainability on campus and conserve biodiversity through the creation of wildlife habitats • Create wildlife habitats according to the National Wildlife Federation’s criteria • Earn STARS Rating for Grounds Native Plants and Wildlife Habitat • Create educational and service opportunities for students • Reinforce biodiversity’s significance in sustainable campus planning

  8. Activities 1. Create wildlife habitats using National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat standards A habitat provides at least two sources of food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young and incorporates sustainable gardening practices into management plan. • Enhance existing beds on LSU’s main campus with native plantings and other habitat features • Ex. Enhancements can be made to green-spaces such as the Sculpture Garden, Life Sciences courtyard, path behind Sturgis Hall to add accessible recreational value and enjoyment • Alternate native grasses in appropriate turf-grass areas • Ex. Medians within parking lots and areas on the outskirts of campus and can be sown with native grasses that require less input to maintain. • Preserve and enhance areas already supporting high densities of wildlife • Ex. Areas such as Campus Lake can be designated as wildlife habitats.

  9. Activities 2. Create educational and service opportunities for students • Opportunities to incorporate any aspect of the Wildlife Habitat Project into Curriculum • Service learning, lab courses, student research • Biological Surveys - Renewable Natural Resources, Life Sciences • Selecting Appropriate Plant Materials – Plant and Soil Systems • Aesthetic and Creative Design of Native Beds –Landscape Architecture • Provide service opportunities for students • Spring Greening Day • Arbor Day • Residential Life events • Student Organizations events

  10. Activities 3. Reinforce the significance of biodiversity’s significance in sustainable campus planning • Publicize efforts to enhance LSU’s image as a leader in campus sustainability • Adapt an Official Policy of using Native Plants • Support the surrounding community by advocating preservation of local ecosystems

  11. Activities 4. Earn STARS Rating for Grounds native Plants and Wildlife Habitat The CCS at LSU is using the guidelines of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS program to evaluate our progress.  STARS provides a checklist of sustainable standards in various categories.  Universities and colleges conduct self-evaluation and submit their results and ratings online. • Fulfill Native Plants (Tier 2.1) in Category Two: Operations / Grounds • Fulfill Wildlife Habitat (Tier 2.2) in Category Two: Operations / Grounds

  12. Future Tasks • Project Approval • Select Site • Evaluate Site (select appropriate plant material, additional habitat materials needed_ • Begin inquiring about material availability to nurseries, suppliers, etc. • Apply for LNPS Grant ( July 31, 2011) • Plan Layout (Potential project in Fall 2011 Sustainability class) • Purchase materials • Installation • Maintenance/Monitoring

  13. Potential Resources:Native material Suppliers

  14. Potential Resources:Funding • Louisiana Environmental Education Committee • Awards varying in Amounts • Educator Grants • Research Grants • Louisiana Native Plant Society • $500 • Organization/Institution • Graduate Student • Office of Facilities Services Landscaping/Grounds Budget

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