No Mow Zones

On our campus we have designated areas as no mow zones. This is because when these areas were mowed they would frequently get the tractors stuck. This was due to the wet ground. Also since these areas were not used there was no need for them to be mowed. These places are across the road from the soccer field and behind the soccer field. These areas are important for lessoning our impact on the river because they take out excess nutrients and sediment before they can enter our river. This is important before excess nutrients cause algae blooms that reduce visibility in the river, preventing sunlight from reaching the bottom. This kills aquatic grasses and therefore kills larger animals up the food chain. The excess sediment causes reduced visibility that kills even more underwater grasses. Also when the sediment settles it can cover kills oyster reefs and kill them. When this happens it kills more animals farther up the food chain as well. Also these areas slow run off. This allows for ground water recharge. Another benefit of these now mow zones is that they produce habitat for a variety of species. This fits in to the three E’s of sustainability. Those E’s are Environment, Economics and Equity. For the environment no mows zones provide habitat, ground water recharge, reduces run off and reduces excess nutrients and sediments entering our river. For economics it saves christchurch money by reduceing fuel costs and payroll for the time it take employees to mow. For equity no mow zones reduce employees work load. It is important to educate people about no mow zones because despite all the benefits of them many people do not like them because society teaches us to want to keep our yards neat and mowed. In the future we could increase the no mow zones on campus by bringing the tree line around campus in about five feet. This would create much more habitat and in most places would be easy to do and not affect anyone.

No mow zones on our campus:

The above picture shows the no mow zone behind the soccer field. The arrows show the direction that run off travels. Here you can see you how no mow zone slow down run off to increase ground water recharge and filter out excess nutrients and sediments.

Written By: Carter Little