Western is very intentional about constructing outdoor spaces that offer an array of sustainability features which mimic the natural world and pay homage to the natural beauty of our area. There is no better example on campus than Cleary Courtyard. Sustainability features of Cleary Courtyard, but also found across our campuses, include:
- Plants native to the La Crosse area attract pollinators, require less maintenance and watering, and create healthier soil. Learn more about the benefits of native plants.
- Storm water planters and rain gardens capture storm water that is headed towards the sewer systems—and then the river—and instead redirects it into the ground to be naturally filtered. Learn more about storm water planters and rain gardens.
- Permeable pavers, the grey bricks running the length of Cleary Courtyard, enables rainwater to seep back into the ground instead of creating runoff. The water can then be naturally filtered while traveling through the soil to replenish the groundwater. Western’s La Crosse campus diverts over 5 million gallons of storm water from the sewer system each year! Learn more about permeable pavement.
- Energy efficient LED lighting makes the courtyard a safe, welcoming environment even at night.
- The Savanna Garden, located at the far west end of Cleary Courtyard, is meant to evoke the prominent natural features of La Crosse: the Mississippi River and the bluffs. This area brings the peacefulness of nature to the center of an urban campus.
Did you know? Carved into the walkway of Cleary Courtyard is a series of stars in the pattern of the constellation Eridanus, the River, found in the night sky!