Botanic Gardens Native Lawn

At Cornell University, the Sustainable Landscapes Trail Program puts a focus on the campus’ environmental footprint. Launched in 2018, the Sustainable Landscapes Trail, overseen by both the Grounds and the Plant Science Departments, features meadows, trails, and other landscape elements to promote a healthy ecosystem on campus and beyond. Dan Schied, Director of Grounds at Cornell University, shares the motivation behind these sites and upkeep requirements. As the focus on healthy ecosystems continues to gain importance, colleges and universities are a significant resource to organizations as well as individuals for research and guidance. Classroom teachings and university extensions are important resources, while the physical campus landscape may serve as a living laboratory. At Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, a focus on “landscape sustainability” has served to bring together faculty and staff across several departments. Nina Bassuk, PhD, professor at Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section, oversees the Sustainable Landscapes Trail program with David Cutter, University landscape architect. Bassuk explains: “Cornell defines ‘landscape sustainability’ as the design, construction, operation, and management of campus grounds to enhance and promote healthy ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems provide ecosystem services. A sustainable landscape on our campus is also a part of our ‘living laboratory campus’ – meaning each site can be used for research and education, and was designed using Cornell research or student class projects as part of their implementation.” Turf spoke with Dan Schied, Cornell’s director of grounds, about the Libe Slope Meadow on campus to understand the background and landscape maintenance ...