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| Home - ORNL Natural Resources - Landscape Management | |
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You may have noticed
native plants in the landscaping around campus. This isn’t an
accident. The landscaping around campus has become a major focal
point for the Sustainable Campus Initiative. Using plants native to
this area allows us to not only highlight their beauty and educate
staff and guests about them, but provides a unique look for ORNL
that has additional benefits. Native plants support native birds,
butterflies, dragonflies, and other wildlife-some of which are
dependent on specific native plant species for food and
reproduction. Native plants are better adapted to local
environmental conditions and, replacing areas planted in fescue with
native landscaping is not only aesthetically appealing, it reduces
overall maintenance needs. It is our goal to be a forerunner in sustainable landscaping techniques, as well as an example for the other DOE sites. Much research is being done on site about these techniques; from rain gardens to deal with storm water runoff, wetland plantings in detention basins, vegetation buffer enhancement in riparian areas, and aquatic plantings at the East Campus Pond to native grass community establishment on First Street and Bethel Valley Road. Take a look around this updated website to gain information on the many projects going on around campus. |
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Patricia Dreyer Parr |
