Meeting was opened with introductions.

Ellen Shukis gave an update on the tree care project at Mary Lyon’s grave site.  Estimated cost to safety prune, cable trees as needed, radial trench, root prune, apply tree growth regulator, apply root growth enhancer, backfill trench with compost, and finish with mulch is slightly over $106, 000.  There is no money to do this project. 

Ellen suggested instead that we treat the trees impacted by the past summer’s construction at Mead.  The estimated cost to do the same work at Mead is about $5400.  There are fewer trees as Mead, so the cost is much less.  The group agreed to take this recommendation to the steering committee for approval.  The educational component will go forward at Mead, as well.

Tom May presented an overview of the campus turf maintenance program that was put into effect this past summer.  This program includes aeration of the soil, the addition of lime, the addition of fertilizer, overseeding, and improved mowing practices.  Most of the fertilizer is starter fertilizer (75%), to give grass seedlings a boost.  Lime was applied at one half the recommended rate, and the remaining 25% fertilizer was slow release fertilizer applied at one half the recommended rate.  In other words, the application was at the minimum amount that could be used, but would still provide reasonably good growth.  No pesticides are being used.

The use of organic fertilizer was investigated, but the cost was prohibitive because more was need to get the same analysis of the nutrients in the fertilizer.  The odor of organic fertilizer was also an issue.

The above program does not apply to the Athletic Fields, or to the grass in the Amphitheatre.  Both of these locations have special needs, and, therefore, different programs.

Nancy Apple suggested a discussion of benchmarking for a future meeting.  Some suggestions are:

• Measure per cent impervious surfaces, and note changes over the years.
• Measure per cent of campus runoff going through a system before entering a main system.