Project longevity is very important to us. We have already proven that the Green Wall can be constructed and successful but none of that necessarily matters unless the Green Wall continues to live and operate on the side of Gould Hall. As stated before, in order to prevent irrigation and system failure issues in the future we believe our best option is to hire a professional with mechanical and electrical engineering expertise to ensure that the water system is functional and easily understood. Therefore have included a line item in this budget to fund this maintenance professional for one year. UW Grounds has indicated that they are not able to provide the irrigation scheduling and oversight or plant maintenance so we have also included a line item to hire an outside landscape contractor. In the future we will look to the Campus Stewardship Office for further financial assistance for ongoing stewardship. While we try to include student involvement wherever possible in this project, the unfortunate reality is that students move on after a few years and do not necessarily have the expertise to oversee the necessary mechanical, electrical, irrigation or plant health aspects of the Green Wall. Hiring professionals to oversee the Green Wall maintenance will ensure system failure does not occur again, and that the plantings on the wall will thrive and continue to provide their environmental benefits. Leadership from the Campus Sustainability Fund, with long-term knowledge of the project, is also making this recommendation.
Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF)
Biodiversity Green Wall Restoration
Year:
Amount Awarded:
$40,570
Potential Funding Reductions:
10% - Reduction of Service contract for Water System; irrigation sensors may not need replacement
20% - Reduction of Service contract for Water System; irrigation sensors may not need replacement; Possible repair rather than replacement of select components.
50% - Repair water system components rather than replacement. Also our plant maintenance is an estimate at this point.
We are continuing to seek additional second opinion estimates to upgrade or repair the existing water system.
Project Longevity:
Project status:
Active: Planning phase