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Two Green Fund Grants: Goats at Arboretum and Drying Racks in Dorms |
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April 26, 2016, Volume 62, No. 32 |
Targeted Goat Grazing Project: To help manage invasive plants at Morris Arboretum in an environmentally sustainable way, a herd of goats will be introduced to the property in May 2016. Arboretum intern Willa Rowan will evaluate the use of targeted goat grazing as an alternative to herbicides and power equipment for the control of invasive species in disturbed habitats. Goat grazing is one of several invasive plant control methods being tested by Ms. Rowan in a habitat restoration project at an oak grove at the Morris Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm, where the ground cover is completely choked out by poison ivy and invasive plants. The invasive plants are harmful to the ecological value and biodiversity of this habitat, and the Targeted Goat Grazing Project offers the opportunity to explore the effectiveness and value of using goats in addressing the control of invasive plants. If the goat grazing project is successful, recommendations will be made for expanded use of goats at other affected areas at the Arboretum, and, capitalizing on the cost and staff savings associated, will free up resources for other sustainable land management initiatives.
A new laundry option in Harnwell College House: Skipping the dryer when doing laundry is now an easy option for residents of Harnwell College House, thanks to Harnwell Eco-Reps Elena Crouch (C’17) and Michael Shu (C’17). The Eco-Rep team has been awarded a Green Fund grant to provide drying racks in the College House laundry rooms. With these racks, students can air dry their clothing without using the dryers, saving significant energy. In addition, the project provides a handful of drying racks that students can sign out from the Harnwell information desk for use in their own rooms. Ms. Crouch and Mr. Shu will evaluate the success of this project by keeping track of the frequency with which the drying racks are used, and by polling residents about their usage.
Members of the Penn community with a great idea for sustainability at Penn who would like to be considered for a Green Fund Grant are encouraged to visit the Green Campus Partnership website at https://www.sustainability.upenn.edu/get-involved/green-fund
Related: Nominations for the Green Purchasing Award: June 30
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Almanac -
April 26, 2016, Volume 62, No. 32
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