On-Campus Sustainability Efforts Help Grow a Greener Future

If you visit North Central College’s campus in the summer, you’ll find vibrant plants and flowers and lush, green trees throughout, some as old as 100 years. This flourishing landscape reflects that the campus is an accredited arboretum, and thanks to the College’s Operations team, a new feature was introduced this past spring: a tree nursery.

Located behind Rall Residence Hall, the nursery is home to 85 saplings sourced from the Chief River Nursery Company in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. The collection includes a diverse range of native species: Alleghany Serviceberry, Buttonbush, Chinkapin Oak, Gray Dogwood Hazelnut, Nannyberry, Ninebark, Juneberry, Red Oak, and Tuliptree. Now, campus is greener than ever — and positioned to grow even more beautiful in the seasons ahead.

When trees and shrubs in the nursery reach maturity, they will be used to support landscaping projects across campus, replace vegetation that has been removed, and contribute to the growth and diversity of the College’s arboretum.

“As the trees and shrubs are transplanted from the nursery to [their permanent locations across] campus, new specimens will be planted in the nursery for future use,” said Paul Hack, head groundskeeper at North Central. “This allows us to purchase a larger number of plants at a lower cost, prune them to our standards, and acclimate them to our soil.”

When the nursery project launched, an unexpected on-campus partner joined: North Central’s Coffee Lab. Every Thursday, used coffee grounds from the lab are collected and incorporated into the nursery mulch. Staying true to the College’s commitment to sustainability, the mulch is made entirely from campus-sourced organic materials — pruned branches, leaves, and now, nutrient-rich coffee grounds. The addition of the grounds not only enhances the mulch’s quality but also provides a rich brown color. It's a sustainable, full-circle solution that transforms waste into nourishment for the College’s green spaces.

“We were able to reduce waste significantly this year through this collaboration. One hundred percent of the coffee grounds and chaff (husk of a coffee bean) were composted. In addition, we are always looking at all aspects of what we do and learning from those experiences,” said Amy Rogers, Coffee Lab operations manager. “Being able to see how waste from our process can be turned into something beneficial for another is an impactful lesson that I hope students are able to carry forward into their careers.”

The rewards of the new tree nursery are many. But for Hack, a certified arborist who has spearheaded the project, the payoff is personal, too. “It will be even more rewarding when the trees are mature enough to be moved to their final planting spot, where they can be enjoyed by all who walk the campus. That is the day that puts the biggest smile on your face.”

Learn more about sustainability at North Central and explore North Central’s arboretum.