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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