It is no secret that St. Bonaventure’s campus contains a diverse array of natural elements. Mountains, trees and miles of grass occupy the campus and the areas around it. Many students enjoy the land but do not think about different ways of using and preserving it.
The Land Use Initiative, part of the Campus Sustainability Initiative, seeks to do just that.
The natural world is an important part of Franciscan values. Brother Kevin Kriso, a member of The Land Use Initiative, explained the importance of nature to the Bonaventure campus.
“How are we as human beings part of nature? We aren’t separate from nature, but sometimes we act as if we are,” Brother Kevin said.
Brother Kevin claims this is a major component of the overall Sustainability Initiative, which oversees the ground work at the university.
The land use aspect, specifically, poses the question “How do we use the land in a way that’s sustainable but also a way that’s educational?”
The students and faculty in the group try to find areas of need by talking to people in charge of the grounds. In addition, they ask students and professors about their interests. In the past, students have done bird and tree surveys.
Brother Kevin stated his own ideas include planting trees that will attract different animals or possibly using the land for farming.
The campus used to have a farming program, which provided food for the Hickey.
“Would we ever want to do something like that again as a learning tool? Maybe we could give food away to students who live off campus or maybe the warming house or the food bank,” Brother Kevin said.
The Land Use Initiative is open to any ideas that will improve the land around campus. The group has mostly been promoting themselves through word of mouth, but notices have recently been sent out to different groups on campus such as University 101 classes, the science department and people interested in sports studies.
Anyone, no matter his or her major, can become a part of this group. An interest in the outdoors and nature is enough to contribute and make a difference.
It seems Bonaventure students have quite an itch to leave their mark. The Land Use Initiative has a similar goal. They hope to improve the land in a way that allows trees and other wildlife to flourish for many years to come. One way for students to leave an impression is through something that will sustain itself for many generations: nature.
The group’s first meeting was held yesterday, but anyone interested in preserving Bonaventure’s natural beauty should contact Brother Kevin.
