NYCC Goes Green with "Grow Zone"

Once, on the south end of New York Chiropractic College's campus, you might have expected to putt on the well-groomed green. Now, however, you're more likely to peer through binoculars into the natural green habitat created by the former golf course's designation as a "Grow" conservation zone. 

The College has dedicated 45 acres of the NYCC campus grounds -- formerly the area known as the Executive Links Golf Course -- to the creation of a sustainable landscape, allowing native plants to naturally populate the area. This pilot "Grow Zone" program is expected to help the College further its goals of embracing sustainable operations, creating natural green spaces, and practicing conservation whenever possible.

With this new program, NYCC will eliminate the typical need for the fertilizers or similar treatments used in the maintenance of golf courses. As well, the Grow Zone will significantly reduce the College's carbon footprint, eliminating the need for more than 14 hours of mowing a week and more than 6400 lbs. of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The reduction in mowing will also save an estimated 360 gallons of fuel each year, supporting both good environmental and fiscal stewardship.

And of course, the birds, bees, butterflies, and other local wildlife will see the benefits, too. 

"Our campus sits at the heart of one of the most naturally beautiful areas in the United States, and it's our responsibility to strengthen the ecosystems that make the Finger Lakes region such a treasure," said Dr. Mike Mestan, president of New York Chiropractic College. "Creating a space for native flora and fauna to flourish benefits our whole community and supports the natural healthcare tenets to which our College is committed." 

NYCC hopes to work with established conservation groups going forward, potentially establishing areas for wildlife observation and considering how the Grow Zone project might be expanded to other areas of the College's property.