This is the first phase of UB 2025, a dramatic, 30-year project designed to transform the North Campus into a greener, more inviting physical environment.

In this first year of UB 2025's initial phase, a total of nearly 60 acres will be returned to a natural state, the largest total area that will be restored in one year.

Students and members of the UB grounds crew took the first steps April 22 toward naturalizing areas near the campus periphery by planting seedlings near Crofts Hall off of Audubon Parkway. About 80 new trees were planted between Crofts Hall and Audubon Parkway by members of the UB grounds crew and the following students: Eric Kulpit, an environmental studies major in the interdisciplinary program in the social sciences and Upal Ghosh, Jill DiTommaso, Peiliang Shen and Todd Snyder, all graduate students in the environmental engineering and science program of the civil engineering department.

The UB 2025 plan, created by students, staff and faculty on the Campus Planning and Development Subcommittee of UB's Environmental Task Force, has been in the works since the early 1990s.

"The UB 2025 plan envisions a university that is more sustainable and more livable," said Lynda H. Schneekloth, UB associate professor of architecture and subcommittee co-chair.

"The university has a responsibility to be the first in new ways of thinking and, as we enter the 21st century, nothing is more important than for human beings to learn to live more sustainably on earth. UB 2025 is a small, but important, step in that direction."

For the first time since the 1970s when the campus was developed, UB grounds staff will not mow in the designated areas.

Instead, they will let the grass grow, allowing for these areas to gradually become self-sustaining, intact ecological systems.

All spring, grounds staff led by William C. Marshall, grounds construction supervisor, will plant between 400 and 500 seedlings of larch, sumac, ash, hybrid poplar, Northern red cedar, river birch, Austrian pine and white spruce trees. The seedlings are about 4 years old and stand up to a foot high. Shrubs that will be planted this spring include forsythia and red and gray dogwoods.

Areas will be clearly marked with signs that say "UB Natural Regeneration Area."

Marshall explained that the new trees and shrubs will attract more bird species to campus, and will provide a better habitat for the small animals, such as woodchucks and rabbits, that already make the North Campus their home.

"This project has multiple benefits," said Ronald Nayler, associate vice president for university facilities. "It gives UB an opportunity to benefit the environment, to return a large portion of the campus to a natural state and to avoid mowing, which cuts down on emissions and gasoline consumption, and produces more greenery to absorb carbon dioxide."

Nayler added that the areas that will be restored to woodland also will be visible to commuters who drive down Sweet Home Road or exit the Lockport extension of the Youngmann Highway onto the North Campus.

Nayler said that out-of-pocket expenses of between $500 and $1,000 for the purchase of the first group of seedlings and shrubs represent an investment that will save money in the long run.

Marshall estimated that grounds staff will save approximately 100 hours during the first year.

"We'll be putting that time into more pruning and other hands-on maintenance of vegetation instead of mowing these areas with big, gas-guzzling machines that have a negative impact on the environment," said Marshall.

The areas that will be part of the UB regeneration project are: