Creating
Wildlife
Habitats at
LSU
Spring 2011
Alicia L. Thomas
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.
(http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/certify.cfm?campaignid=WH10A150)
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:
BACKGROUND
Features including a system of lakes originating from cypress-tupelo swamp and proximity to the
Mississippi River provide LSU ample reason to protect and increase biodiversity on campus grounds.
“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.” – Office of Facility Services website
To improve the LSU’s continuous progress towards overall sustainability, existing beds or
new designated areas can be enhanced for wildlife and for the enjoyment of those on campus by
incorporating a majority of native vines, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. In addition to
meeting AASHE Stars and qualifying for the NWF certification, this effort to build wildlife
habitats will also fulfill LSU’s internal 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”
PAST SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS RELATIVE TO BIODIVERSITY ON CAMPUS :
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
OTHER EXAMPLES FROM AASHE UNIVERSITIES
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
ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
The National Park Service provides some of the many benefits to using native plantings in
our campus landscape:

add beauty to the landscape and preserve our natural heritage

provide food and habitat for native wildlife

serve as an important genetic resource for future food crops or other plant-derived
products

help slow down the spread of fire by staying greener longer

decrease the amount of water needed for landscape maintenance

require very little long-term maintenance if they are properly planted and established

produce long root systems to hold soil in place

protect water quality by controlling soil erosion and moderating floods and droughts
GOALS
To Increase sustainability on campus and conserve biodiversity through the creation of wildlife habitats.
OBJECTIVES




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
ACTIVITIES
1. CREATE WILDLIFE HABITATS USING NATIONAL WILDLIFE F EDERATION’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
o 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
o 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
o
Ex. Areas such as Campus Lake can be designated as wildlife habitats.
2. CREATE EDUCATIONAL AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS


Opportunities to incorporate any aspect of the Wildlife Habitat Project into Curriculum
o 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
o Spring Greening Day
o Arbor Day
o Residential Life events
o Student Organizations events
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
4. EARN STARS RATING FOR GROUNDS NATIVE P LANTS AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
The CCS 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
FUTURE TASKS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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)
7. Purchase materials
8. Installation
9. Maintenance/Monitoring
POSSIBLE RESOURCES
Native Plant Nurseries/Suppliers:
Beauregard Nursery
6308 Hwy. 190 W.
DeRidder, LA 70634
Region: Southeast
Phone: 337/468-5509
Fax: 337/825-681
Doug Young Nusery
PO Box 39
Forest Hills, LA 71430
Region: Southeast
Phone: 318-748-6787
Fax: 318-748-6788
Web: www.growitpro.com
ECOLAGE Purveyors of Wonder
2623 West Sale Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
Region: Southeast
Phone: 337/562-2188
Fax: 337/562-8669
Web: www.ecolage.com
Louisiana Growers
63279 Lowery Rd
Amite, LA 70422
Region: Southeast
Phone: 504-748-5850
Fax: 504-747-5850
Web: www.louisianagrowers.com
Louisiana Nursery
5853 Hwy. 182
Opelousas, LA 70570
Region: Southeast
Phone: (337) 948-3696
Fax: (318) 942-6404
Web: www.durionursery.com
Maypop Hill Nursery & Publications
4979 Spec Garig Rd.
Norwood, LA 70761
Region: Southeast
Phone: 225/629-5379
Prairie Basse
217 Fidelis St
Carencro, LA 70520
Region: Southeast
Phone: 318-896-9187
Fax: 318-291-5494
MeadowMarkers* very active now
http://meadowmakers.com/
LSU Coastal Roots?
http://coastalroots.lsu.edu/
LSU Hilltop Arboretum
http://appl003.lsu.edu/hilltop/hilltop.nsf/index
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Office of Facilities Services Landscaping/Grounds Budget
Louisiana Environmental Education Committee

Awards varying in Amounts
o Educator Grants
o
Research Grants
Louisiana Native Plant Society

$500
o
o
Organization/Institution
Graduate Student