Implementing Sustainable Gardening Practices on Campus

The MIT campus is situated in an urban setting with wonderful views of the Charles River. Within the campus there are many pocket gardens for the students and staff to relax and enjoy. The Department Facilities strives to improve the landscape and also implement sustainable gardens in harmony with the setting, seasonal interest, and microclimate. We have specifically focused on our new construction projects as areas to increase green spaces as well as for the rehabilitation of some of the previous industrial sites on campus.

East Campus Garden/Tree Removal Project In an effort to preserve established and healthy plants from a garden slated to be deconstructed, Facilities moved two mature pin oaks in December of 2006. The two trees were relocated for about the same cost as purchasing a single new tree of similar size. The garden area also includes relocated Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood) trees and ornamental grasses that were divided from another garden on campus.

Vassar Street The flower beds along Vassar Street were redesigned by members of our Grounds Services area to create a landscape that would complement the unique architecture of the Stata Center and provide visual interest along Vassar Street. The project was installed by Facilities gardening staff and completed in August of 2009.

Steinbrenner Garden With a generous gift from the Steinbrenner Foundation a new design was created for the entryway to Steinbrenner Stadium and construction on a new garden was completed in April 2009. Some of the new design elements include ornamental fencing, granite piers at the main entry which will support an ornamental iron arch, granite curbing, concrete pavers, site lighting, and new landscaping. In addition to the improvements to the entryway, many sustainable elements were incorporated into the reconstruction at Roberts Field and Steinbrenner Stadium.