Macalester College set a goal to generate zero waste by 2020 and become carbon neutral by 2025. The college hired Barr to create a sustainable landscape master plan to help it achieve these goals. Working with school administrators and with input from students and faculty, Barr created a plan that:
guides and informs decision-making about the campus grounds to allow for carbon sequestration, reduce urban heat island effect, and provide outdoor spaces for student use
develops a landscape that is attractive, is ecologically sound, does not increase maintenance, and allows for multiple uses
addresses stormwater management, plant diversity, soil improvement, and energy efficiency
Large areas of turf were converted to low-maintenance plantings to shade buildings, provide wildlife habitat, clean stormwater, and build soil. Pervious pavement and rain gardens increase runoff-water quality and reuse water for irrigation purposes. The campus plan is currently being implemented and serves as a demonstration of sustainable landscape design principles.
