Wesleyan’s campus is home to 89 acres of natural areas. These meadow areas are only mowed once a year and are home to wildflowers, native grasses and provide food and homes for wildlife. As part of the Wesleyan Sustainability Grounds Initiatives, the university is in the process of expanding no-mow areas across campus.
Hundreds of lupines grow in a meadow near Physical Plant on Long Lane.
Land behind Wesleyan University Press on Long Lane is left natural.The student organization WILD Wes (Working for Intelligent Landscape Design at Wesleyan), created WILD WestCo, a .75 acre sustainable landscaping initiative in the West College Courtyard. WILD Wes developed a landscape design and implementation plan following a permacultural ethic.The West College courtyard is home to more than 40 shrubs, dozens of fruit trees, two rain gardens, a rainwater catchment system, multiple wood chip pathways lined in rye, clover and buckwheat, a seating area, compost area and hundreds of perennials that draw birds, insects and other wildlife.Wesleyan’s cross country trails pass through a wooded area and this grassy field rich with clover.Buttercups bloom in a natural area between Physical Plant and the Freeman Athletic Center. (Photos by Olivia Drake)
Olivia Drake
Mike Mavredakis
Jeff Harder