As outlined in the Pitt Sustainability Plan, Pitt aimed to manage at least 75% of its landscaped areas in accordance with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Standards for Organic Land Care by 2024—a goal already being met through the efforts of our Facilities Management team.
Andrew Moran, senior manager of grounds, has played a crucial role in making this goal a reality. “Pitt’s push for sustainability has really shaped our approach,” Moran said. Years of experience and fine-tuning have helped make organic landscaping second nature for his team. What once felt like a big challenge is now just the way things are done, from avoiding dyed mulch to choosing natural fertilizers.
Practices That Set Pitt Apart:
- Mulching: The team uses bark mulch, mushroom compost, and leaf compost instead of wood chips, which often have harmful chemicals or residues.
- Native and Local Plants: While not every plant can be native, an impressive 99.9% are, sourced from nearby states to ensure they thrive in our climate.
- Noise Reduction with Battery-Powered Tools: One unexpected perk of using battery-powered equipment and reducing fossil fuel usage is less noise pollution—a change that’s been a hit across campus.
- GoatScaping: Using goats for land maintenance helps manage hard-to-reach areas and control invasive species without fossil fuels.
Pitt doesn’t stop at meeting standards; they’re always looking for new ways to improve. “We have to stay on top of evolving sustainable techniques,” Moran said. “It’s about learning, adapting, and sometimes trying new things to see what works.” The team remains focused on meeting NOFA standards while also working to expand tree canopies and reduce traditional lawn areas to boost campus ecology.
For Moran, who got his start mowing lawns in his neighborhood and later earned a degree in turfgrass science from Penn State, seeing his team embrace sustainable practices—like using battery-powered equipment—has been especially satisfying. His favorite season at Pitt? Fall, when the campus quiets down, and the seasonal landscapes are on full display.
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