The UW-Madison Green Fund supports student ideas that improve campus sustainability, including this project!
For more information, contact Ian Aley at iraley@wisc.edu
Project Background
UW–Madison has embarked on an Organic Landscape Management Pilot Project. This project aims to keep the lawn spaces we love for recreation but move away from the use of synthetic chemicals that can harm our health and the health of our environment. UW staff and faculty are using organic alternatives such as organic compost and corn gluten meal in combination with mechanical processes such as soil aeration to maintain the turfgrass without synthetic inputs.
Students worked with Grounds, Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture, Housing, Soil Science, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Plant Pathology to establish this pilot site in Fall 2024. Campus community members now monitor the soil health and the space to explore the effects of the pilot project.
UW–Madison is striving to make campus a more sustainable and welcoming place for visitors, humans and animals alike.
Pilot Locations
- Library Mall
- Henry Mall
- Ogg Residence Hall
- Divine Nine Plaza
Get Involved!
Get Involved with the Green Fund!
If you would like to improve the sustainability of the UW-Madison campus by getting involved with a Green Fund project, please email Ian Aley, Green Fund Program Manager: iraley@wisc.edu
Get Involved with UW-Madison’s Re:wild Efforts!
The Re:wild UW-Madison student organization strives to educate about and advocate for organic agriculture and land management practices, land restoration, and sustainable practices related to ecosystem health and intersectionality. 
Meetings are every other week, and more meeting information can be found on the Re:wild UW-Madison Instagram page (@rewildmadison).
If you would like to get involved in the UW-Madison campus through the Re:wild efforts, please email: herbicidefreeuw@gmail.com
News and Articles
Grounds crew creates beauty — and biodiversity — on campus
Read about UW Grounds’ sustainability work.
Project Partners
- Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture
- Grounds Staff
- Housing Staff
- Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
- Office of Sustainability
- Re:wild Staff
- Students
- Turfgrass Extension
Rhonda James – Senior Landscape Architect
Aaron Willaims – Campus Planner & Landscape Architect
Danielle Smith – Grounds Superintendent
Robert Scott – Building and Grounds Supervisor
Malorie Garbe – Sustainability Coordinator
Maggie Hayes – Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Ian Aley – Green Fund Program Manager
Alex Frank – Project Portfolio Manager
Victoria Salerno – Project Assistant
Sheina Crystal
Mackenzie Feldman
Hannah Stahmann
Emily Valentine
Paul Koch – Professor, Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab
Doug Soldat – Associate Professor, Soil Extension Specialist
Application Materials
Are you interested in applying for the Green Fund for a similar project? Click on the link below to view the application for this project. For more information on application requirements, visit the Green Fund Application Information page or contact the Green Fund Program Manager, Ian Aley at iraley@wisc.edu