Grounds Care and Maintenance
The grounds maintenance program at NMSU supports the SCCTF mission in two ways. First, they recycle organic material for composting. Second, they use xeriscaping and desert friendly flora whenever possible to maintain the campus.
Organics Recycling/Composting
OFS maintains an active compost heap year round on the south end of campus. At this facility they recycle approximately 400 tons of organic waste annually which is then used to fertilize the grass and other plant life on campus, including the football field at Aggie Memorial Stadium. The material used to maintain the compost heap is collected from yard waste such as grass clippings and tree limbs gathered during general maintenance of the campus grounds, manure provided by the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, the byproduct of biodiesel used by some vehicles here on campus, and excess feed stock from the NMDA.
Xeriscaping
OFS also has an active xeriscaping program. Xeriscaping uses desert friendly, drought-tolerant plants and other materials that need little or no water to cover and decorate the grounds of the campus. Xeriscaping has several benefits, both environmental and economic. Because of the nature of the plants and materials used in xeriscaping, far less water is needed to maintain the grounds. Also, given that xeriscaping consists mainly of non-growing ground coverings, it is much cheaper and easier to maintain. In the long run xeriscaping lessens the environmental impact of our landscape on campus by conserving water and reducing the need for gas powered vehicles such as lawnmowers.