Grounds
Our grounds department has been a long time supporter of caring for our campus in a way that reduces waste, chemical use, and invasive species. Throughout the years grounds has adopted a number of programs to help achieve a more natural campus experience. Integrated Plant Management is the first defense against avoiding pest infestation that focuses on plant health by using native plants, appropriate plant placement, and nutrient management.
When more action is needed to manage pests we utilize Integrated Pest Management, looking to reduce the need for pesticides by raising the threshold for chemical application and taking time to accurately identify a pest infestation. Because native plant species are used primarily across campus, the need for regular irrigation is drastically reduced, with the softball and soccer fields being the only areas that are regularly watered.
To keep the plants healthy, organic fertilizer and compost tea have been used for the past 20 years, reducing our need for synthetic chemicals. Additionally, we compost all of our yard waste on site and use the finished compost across campus to help off-set the need for purchased nutrient supplements.
In 2016, ΈΜιΩΦ±²¥ signed the in an effort to improve the health of area pollinators. As a signatory, ΈΜιΩΦ±²¥ does not use pest treatments that contain neonicotinoids, which are known to be dangerous to pollinators. Additionally, a concerted effort is made to make sure pollinator friendly plants are present throughout campus.
In April 2017, ΈΜιΩΦ±²¥ was designated a for its dedication to the preservation and management of our unique variety of campus trees, and engagement with the ΈΜιΩΦ±²¥ community through recurring campus tree tours. Tree Campus USA is run by the Arbor Day Foundation, and includes from 47 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Tree tours are held during events like Parents Weekend, Reunion Weekend, Sustainability Week, or Earth Week by Hugh Weldon, the campus horticulturalist. Campus visitors are also able to embark on a
ΈΜιΩΦ±²¥ University, as a community of learned and learning scholars, respecting the sacredness of all creation, accepts its responsibility to the integrity of Earth and its biodiversity, to the heritage of future generations, and to the security of nations. By utilizing the Augustinian values of Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas, meaning love thy neighbor, promote community unity, and live life in moderation through our curriculum, work environment, and operations, ΈΜιΩΦ±²¥β€™s approach to sustainability exemplifies an emphasis on social justice and community service.
For questions regarding campus sustainability email Sustainability@villanova.edu
Created by Lauren Sage (GEV undergraduate) using ArcGIS, experience a virtual tree tour of ΈΜιΩΦ±²¥'s campus no matter the weather!