All NewsCampus News & EventsSnapshotsSpring Blooms at the 2/3 Acre WestCo Garden Olivia DrakeMay 19, 20144minThe West College Courtyard is starting to bloom, May 19. The garden’s permaculture design mimics natural patterns with low human maintenance. Wesleyan’s WILD Wes organization (Working for Intelligent Landscape Design) created and maintains the 2/3 acre garden. In the summer of 2011, students began by rejuvenating the soil in the courtyard. With administrative and financial support and guidance, largely from the Green Building Committee, Physical Plant, the Student Budgeting Committee, and the College of the Environment, the collective was able to proceed with sheet mulching, digging swales, and prepare for general composting of the entire courtyard. Since then, students implemented their design plans. WILDWes’ additional successes include: expansion into the Butterfield courtyard, with the addition of the Summerfield terraces and trees; a paid summer internship; and raising garden beds that add to the food supply of nearby markets. (Photos by Olivia Drake) campusspringWild WES Related Articles All NewsCampus News & Events March 27, 2024 Mike Mavredakis Hugo L. Black Lecturers Establish What’s at Stake When Free Expression on Campus is Imperiled All NewsArts & HumanitiesStudents March 25, 2024 Andrew Chatfield Art Comes to Life through Student Partnership with the Center for the Arts All NewsAlumni March 25, 2024 Steve Scarpa True ‘Blue’: James Kaplan ’73 Documents a Key Collaboration in Jazz History