Our Sustainable Campus - Leaf pile hides savings, valuable soil

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By Brandon Watson
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The slow drop of leaves and fast approaching 'freeze up' will mean the leaf collection program may suffer a bit compared to past years but Jim Galbraith, Supervisor of Physical Plant's Grounds Crew, isn't worried.
 
The slow drop of leaves and fast approaching 'freeze up' will mean the leaf collection program may suffer a bit compared to past years but Jim Galbraith, Supervisor of Physical Plant's Grounds Crew, isn't worried.
 
He has been in charge of Western's grounds program for 20 years and anticipates the lull this season will have minor effects on the collection and spring cleanup.
 
The university recycles and reuses 100 per cent of the leaves on campus.
 
Leaves on the forest edge are blown back into the wooded lots. Removal of leaves from forest floors is not recommended because it removes much-needed material that provides organic matter for a healthy ecosystem within the forest.
 
Leaves that are on the lawn and flower beds are collected and transferred to the university's leaf composting area on campus. On a good, dry day it is not unusual to contribute up to 200 cubic yards of leaves to the compost pile.
 
Other materials, such as grass clippings, plant material, soil and turf from landscape installations are also added to the mix. Throughout the composting process, micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi break down leaf and green matter into simple organic matter.
 
The material from the compost process makes an excellent top-dressing and soil additive. The mixture adds organic material to the existing soil, which improves drainage, aeration of soil and nutrients utilized for plant growth. Composting organic yard material saves the university roughly $8,000 - the estimated value of purchasing such a nutrient-rich top-dressing.
 
In the past, the Grounds Crew has rented a screening machine for the compost pile and when the screening process was complete there was about 300 yards of compost material - enough to renovate both practice fields next to the Services Building.
 
“The collection and composting of leaves contributes to a sustainable campus," says Galbraith. Not to mention, it keeps leaves and organics out of the landfill.
 
The writer is a communications officer in the Physical Plant.
 

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