LANSING, Mich. (WLNS — Michigan State University is converting acres of campus land into pollinator-friendly gardens, meadows, and clover fields, the university announced Thursday.
The effort is a collaboration allowing the entomology department to expand insect and pollinator-friendly habitats on campus — while letting the facilities department reduce their workload and maintenance demands.
“Turning areas that had been maintained turf grass into meadows made a lot of sense operationally. After the first-year investment into seeds and plants the annual maintenance cost reduces significantly,” said MSU landscape coordinator Joshua Ridner. “We have a lean crew, so reducing mowed areas lets us stretch the workforce further throughout other day to day tasks.”…