Grounds

Grounds

University of the Pacific has a history of conserving water. Since 2011, potable water use on the Stockton campus has decreased by nearly 50%. Efforts increased in 2015 when President Eibeck appointed a committee of faculty and staff to develop water conservation recommendation in response to Gov. Jerry Brown's executive order on April 1, 2015 requiring that cities and towns across the state reduce water use by 25% (based on 2013 usage). Additionally, Cal Water, the Stockton potable water provider, mandated that Pacific reduce water consumption by 20% as did the water supplier for the Sacramento campus. Since the San Francisco campus is in a LEED^TM Gold building, water use is already 55% below baselines.

Management

Grounds are cared for by the Physical Plant Grounds Department. Management techniques that contribute to sustainability efforts are: 

• Mow less frequently and allow longer grass
• Plant debris is composted offsite
• Plants are selected for their ability to survive changing local weather conditions with minimal additional resources
• 80% of of the campus irrigation systems utilize non-potable water from the Calaveras River. More about irrigation.
• Inefficient fixtures in residence halls are replaced with low flow shower heads and toilet fixtures on an ongoing basi
• Water Conservation Efforts 2006-2015

Specialty Areas

Muir Botanic Area

This area is full of flora mentioned in John Muir's writings. It compliments one of Jeannette Callison's pieces of artwork which was inspired by Muir's work. In 2011 when Callison Hall was remodeled, the space was transformed from high maintenance lawn, a few ornamentals and a broken fountain to the Muir Botanical Area.

Redwood Grove

Redwoods have shallow roots and require a considerable amount of water. Soil in the Grove may be wet because to water the trees properly the area is flood irrigated once a week.

Bon Appetit Native Plant Garden

Established in 2015, this garden was originally planted with seventy varieties of California native plants selected by Pacific faculty members in the Biological Sciences department. Varieties include Stickey Monkey Flower, Coyote Brush, and several varieties of Manzanita.

Ted and Chris Robb Garden

Established in 2011, the Ted and Chris Robb Garden is a place for the Pacific community to learn about and practice growing food using biointensive principles. Biointensive agriculture focuses maximizing food growth in a small space while minimizing natural resource use and maintaining healthy soils.

Help Conserve Water

Your actions can add up to a significant impact. The average residence hall houses XXXX people. If everyone in the building does a little something to save water, that small water savings multiplies. So if everyone saves just two gallons of water each day, your building may be saving 50, 100, or 150 gallons per day.

• Shorten your shower by 1 min. Even if your bathroom already has a low-flow showerhead, every minute you shorten your shower can save up to 75 gallons per month. If every resident in a 30-room building cut just one minute from their daily shower, that would be a savings of 2,250 gallons every month!
• Report leaks. If you see a leaky faucet, sprinkler, washing machine, or pipe report it promptly to your RA. A little drip may not seem like much, but a faucet that drips five times per minute may be wasting more than 260 gallons per year.
• Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth-- this could save 70 gallons of water per month or more.
• Put garbage in the trash can, not the toilet.

see Sustainable Living for more tips