Arboretum Center Grows
With Recent Gifts
Two recent gifts further opportunities
for energy, water and waste reduction, curriculum development
and environmental management.
October 27, 2005
By Gail Matsunaga
As the first “green” project
on campus, the new Fullerton Arboretum Visitor Center
— scheduled for completion this month — will provide
a glimpse into the possibilities for altering the campus approach
to energy and water consumption, waste reduction, curriculum
development and environmental management.
Two recent gifts are furthering those opportunities.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California awarded $45,000 to the arboretum as part of its
City Makeover Program to fund new Southern California heritage
landscapes — environments featuring native and California-friendly
plants, state-of the-art irrigation and controllers, sustainable
landscaping techniques, community involvement and a maintenance
plan.
Central to the arboretum center’s landscape
design will be native Southern California plants, including
nectar plants that attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other
wildlife; aromatic sage and salvia, reminiscent of coastal
communities; and native grasses, agaves and yuccas paired
with wildflowers and perennials. Growing native plants, according
to Greg Dyment, arboretum director, will allow the facility
to take advantage of the region’s natural water cycle,
reducing the need for extra irrigation during the growing
season and summer dormant season.
In the courtyard will be citrus to provide
a cool, fragrant feel to the garden, enhance the structure’s
citrus packinghouse design and increase the arboretum’s
holdings as a designated North American Plant Collections
Consortium citrus holder for the American Association for
Botanical Gardens and Arboreta.
Decomposed granite paths will allow for water
percolation into the soil, with riparian, or water-loving
plants, used in areas of excess water run off.
Furthering environmentally responsible water
drainage, the second gift was “poured” earlier
this month: 40 cubic yards of pervious concrete, donated by
alumnus Larry Maes (B.A. history ’71), products education
director of the Southern California Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
This form of concrete — which uses no
sand, resulting in a textured surface that has been compared
to Rice Krispies treats — was laid in three handicapped
parking stalls and a pathway. Its porous texture is especially
effective in reducing runoff — oil, anti-freeze —
and can help treat the pollution, says Maes. By capturing
rainfall, especially the first flush, and allowing it to percolate
into the ground, soil chemistry and biology can treat the
polluted water naturally. Ground water can be restored, peak
water flow through drainage channels is reduced and flooding
is minimized.
“We are excited to do a project like
this for the college system and especially, Cal State Fullerton,”
says Maes. “The arboretum is recognized as one of the
most visible ‘green’ projects in Orange County
and we wanted to be a part of it. We completed a similar project
for UC Berkeley in August.”
Although it’s been utilized in such states
as Florida and Georgia over the last 30 years, the use of
pervious concrete in California is relatively new. Maes estimates
that no more than 50 projects in Southern California feature
it.
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