Spring 2011
Alicia 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.
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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:
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INTRODUCTION
Green Campus Initiative:
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“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”
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“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
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.
BACKGROUND – AASHE UNIVERSITY
EXAMPLES
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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
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
a.
b.
c.
http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/webtour/listsite.htm#Ur5
- RNR Building – mostly tree species
- Life Sciences yard - mostly tree species
Green Tiger Project
a.
Originated by LSU Foundation
b.
Annual Spring Greening Day
- Students help to beautify campus
- Project provides education about sustainability and recycling
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
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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.
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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.
ACTIVITIES
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
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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
ACTIVITIES
3. REINFORCE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BIODIVERSITY’S SIGNIFICANCE
IN SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS PLANNING
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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
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.
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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.
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9.
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
POTENTIAL RESOURCES:
NATIVE MATERIAL SUPPLIERS
Beauregard Nursery
6308 Hwy. 190 W.
DeRidder, LA 70634
Region: Southeast
Phone: 337/468-5509
Fax: 337/825-681
Doug Young Nursery
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
POTENTIAL RESOURCES:
FUNDING
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Louisiana Environmental Education Committee
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Awards varying in Amounts
Educator Grants
 Research Grants
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Louisiana Native Plant Society
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$500
Organization/Institution
 Graduate Student
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Office of Facilities Services Landscaping/Grounds
Budget