Sustainability  >  Landscape

Creighton is a Tree Campus USA

More information on the press release.  

Sustainability in Creighton's landscaping

Sustainability is regularly being incorporated into our landscaping.  Below we highlight some of these efforts.

  • Two thousand square feet of annual flower beds have been planted with perennials and shrubs, which consume significantly less water and fertilizer.
  • Annual flower beds are not fertilized on a schedule.  Instead, fertilizer is only applied if and when there is a discernable reduction in flowering.
  • Native or adaptable plant and tree species are used with care taken to match appropriate plants to every site in order to reduce water and fertilizer use.
  • Plants that are correctly sited also tend to have fewer insect and disease problems, which in turn reduces the use of pesticides.  Disease and/or insect resistant varieties are also selected to minimize pesticide use.
  • Plants with similar water needs are grouped and irrigation systems are zoned to water annuals, perennials and shrubs, and turfgrass separately to prevent overwatering of lower water use plants.
  • Drip irrigation is used in all new perennial and shrub installations, minimizing evaporation and delivering water directly to the roots of plants, resulting in more efficient water use.  Disease problems often caused by overhead watering are also minimized, reducing pesticide use.
  • The Harper Center will be the first campus building whose landscape irrigation is managed with a central control system.  Eventually, this central control system will be linked with an on-campus weather station.   The system will then be able to determine how much irrigation each area should receive based on precipitation and evapotranspiration rates reported by the weather station, applying only as much water as needed to each individual area of the landscape.  Seven other campus buildings will go online with the system in the near future.   
  • Tolerance is practiced with insect and/or disease problems that are not a significant health threat to the plant.  When intervention is required, cultural changes and lower-impact manual and chemical controls are the first line of defense.
  • Preventative applications of pesticides are used only in areas where there are recurring insect, disease or weed problems.
  • Organic mulches are used as soil cover in all areas of campus.  Mulching conserves soil moisture and reduces weeds and thus herbicide use.  
  • Rock, retaining wall block, and other landscape materials are reused whenever possible.
  • Material from the pruning or removal of trees is chipped by a local tree company and reused as mulch.
  • Groundcover plants are often used in place of turf on slopes, reducing the use of gas powered equipment for maintenance as well as water, fertilizer and pesticide use.  Established groundcover plantings also lessen soil erosion and runoff from precipitation.
  • The development of rain gardens is being considered, which serve to collect stormwater runoff and allow it to percolate slowly into the ground instead of directing it into storm sewers.
  • When possible, grass clippings are mulched rather than bagged.  Collected grass clippings are sent to a city facility to be composted.
  • Grass clippings and granular fertilizers are promptly cleared from sidewalks, driveways and streets, preventing them from ending up in the storm sewers and contributing to groundwater pollution.  
  • Deciduous trees are used to shade buildings during warmer months and expose them to sunlight during the winter months, decreasing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool buildings.
  • When available and appropriate, pathway vehicles are used instead of full-size vehicles, reducing fuel use.