Rethinking Macalester's Landscaping: Students are Researching Sustainable Alternatives to Lawns

As the Macalester community approaches the end of a summer full of uncertainty and change, we can look towards the work done by students that help uphold and strengthen Macalester’s values. Despite the changes in travel plans, Macalester was able to provide an alternative for this year's student researchers. Evelyn Jauregui and Shannon Hahn, both rising seniors, have been working alongside professors Christie Manning  and Christine O’Connell in order to find new ways to make Macalester more sustainable. 

Photograph of apple orchard on a sunny day 

Although still in progress, their projects focus on the Macalester landscape and how management practices can be altered in order to be more environmentally friendly and proactive. Evelyn, an Environmental Studies major and Economics minor, is researching the potential for fruit orchards as a carbon sink on campus. More specifically, she is analyzing the economic and environmental benefits of such a plan. Shannon, an Environmental Studies major and Biology emphasis, is looking more closely at water and fertilizer use on campus. Her research will give insight on the best type of vegetation that Macalester should implement in lieu of smaller patches of unused lawn.

Map of Macalester campus with lawn regions outlined

Using various models including iTree and iLawn, these students have been able to make great strides in their research. Both tools have helped them accurately measure the lawn areas to be changed and the potential benefits said changes. Additionally, they have been able to work closely with facilities to help make their projects a reality. 

As Shannon and Evelyn near the end of their research, they have been able to make valuable connections. For example, changing the Macalester landscape to one focused on environmental/resource conservation as opposed to aesthetic lawns will allow the Macalester community to see the potential for a more sustainable campus. Furthermore, we can begin thinking outside the box and find similar ways to change campus for the better. With a larger community discussion, there can be effective change that will make Macalester more sustainable.