EWU Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan by Eastern Washington University

Easter n Washington Universit y Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan Cheney, WA | October 2023

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. - United Nations Sustainability Definition

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

Table of Contents Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 01 - Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 > Sustainability at EWU > What is a Sustainable Landscape? > Vision

02 - Current Campus Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 > > > >

Methodology Image and Identity Campus Spaces and Connections Plants and Design

03 - Principles, Objectives, And Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . 13 > Overview > Principle 1: > > > > > >

Promote Education, Demonstration, Experimentation, and Involvement Principle 2: Create A More Sustainable and Resilient Campus Landscape Principle 3: Promote Optimal First Impressions and Perception Principle 4: Enhance the Campus as a Place for Pedestrians - Circulation, Gathering, and Accessibility Principle 5: Improve Irrigation Efficiency and Stormwater Management Principle 6: Integrate Cultural Heritage and Natural Resources Principle 7: Implement Sustainable Maintenance Practices

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

04 - Master Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 > > > > > >

Sustainability Spine Overall Master Plan Quadrant 1 Detail Quadrant 2 Detail Quadrant 3 Detail Quadrant 4 Detail

05 - Sustainability Enhancement Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 06 - A Look Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 07 - Appendices > Recommended Plant Palette > Site and Landscape Standards

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE

BACKGROUND

This Eastern Washington University Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan is intended to provide students and university personnel with a framework for understanding and planning for the future of natural spaces at Eastern Washington University (EWU). This plan is designed to be a dynamic document that identifies the Vision, Principles, Objectives, and Strategies that will provide direction in the future. The Sustainable Landscape Master Plan outlines methods to review, discuss, and decide how best to maintain or improve each campus landscape space from an ecological, functional, and aesthetic perspective. The plan provides a basis for the EWU Grounds Management Team to make daily and seasonal decisions to transition the campus toward a more sustainable landscape. Long-term and site-specific planning decisions for campus landscapes will be informed through the Planning and Design Guidelines. Combined, the Plan and Design Guidelines support the EWU Climate Action Plan and support the achievement of master plan principles. These seven principles are:

As EWU approaches its 150th anniversary, there is an opportunity to envision a campus landscape that advocates and demonstrates sustainability and environmental responsibility while acknowledging and respecting the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes. The Eastern Washington University Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan provides a framework for the campus outdoor environment that includes flexibility for innovation and sustainability. The goals of the plan are to develop a landscape that enhances the living, working, and learning environment of the university, unifies the campus and provides a distinct identity and sense of place, and helps EWU achieve its goals of environmental sustainability and climate resiliency while integrating the existing campus master plan.

> Principle 1: Promote Education, Demonstration, > Experimentation, and Involvement > Principle 2: Create A More Sustainable and Resilient Campus Landscape > Principle 3: Promote Optimal First Impressions and Perception > Principle 4: Enhance the Campus as a Place for Pedestrians - Circulation, Gathering, and Accessibility > Principle 5: Improve Irrigation Efficiency and Stormwater Management > Principle 6: Integrate Cultural Heritage and Natural Resources > Principle 7: Implement Sustainable Maintenance Practices

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

This plan results from a collaborative effort between the design team, EWU faculty, staff, maintenance personnel, and student interest groups. The design team conducted multiple on-campus meetings with various representatives to gather input on EWU’s current planning and sustainability successes and issues. These meetings, stakeholder events, and additional site analysis led to the development of guiding principles and short- and long-term objectives that provide the framework for the campus landscape vision. The Eastern Washington University Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan will help guide and enhance EWU’s future development in a sustainable and educational manner while providing green space to support recreation, education, and events.

LANDSCAPE VISION AND PRINCIPLES

VISION “Eastern Washington University is a campus that champions sustainability, climate resiliency, and environmental responsibility within its educational programs and demonstrates that prioritization throughout the campus landscape. The landscape reflects a safe, resilient, historical, cultural, and attractive

The landscape vision for EWU’s campus is described by seven guiding principles that will help guide future campus modifications, expansions, and preservation. The articulation of these principles represents the combined effort of University community members and consultants to identify the key steps that the University must undertake to achieve a sustainable campus that is rooted in its setting in the Palouse Prairie and articulates the University’s academic mission to expand opportunities for transformation through excellence in learning. The objectives and strategies for recommended campus improvements follow all seven principles.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES

> Principle 1:

Promote Education, Demonstration, Experimentation, and Involvement

> Principle 2:

Create A More Sustainable and Resilient Campus Landscape

> Principle 3:

Promote Optimal First Impressions and Perception

> Principle 4:

Enhance the Campus as a Place for Pedestrians - Circulation, Gathering, and Accessibility

> Principle 5:

Improve Irrigation Efficiency and Stormwater Management

> Principle 6:

Integrate Cultural Heritage and Natural Resources

> Principle 7:

Implement Sustainable Maintenance Practices

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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"Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place—the knowledge that comes from the land." -EWU Land Acknowledgement

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

INTRODUCTION

Sustainability at EWU is the continuous institution-wide effort to implement integrated practices that meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs by working toward a healthy environment, social justice, and a strong economy. The Eastern Washington University Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan seeks to achieve a comprehensive campus environment that is a sustainable, safe, resilient, historical, cultural, and attractive aesthetic. It will serve as an educational resource that is practical to maintain and in which all parts of the campus relate as an integrated whole. The purpose of the Planning and Design guidelines is to encourage sustainable practices, climate resiliency, visual unity, and functional consistency in the overall development of the campus landscape while simultaneously creating a distinctive and pervasive sense of place.

WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE?

VISION

Sustainable landscapes begin with an appropriate design that includes functional, cost-efficient, visually pleasing, environmentally friendly, and regionally appropriate landscape elements that are easily maintained.

Eastern Washington University is a campus that champions sustainability, climate resiliency, and environmental responsibility within its educational programs and demonstrates that prioritization throughout the campus landscape.

Sustainability, as applied to the campus landscape, means incorporating the efficiency and complexity of nature into the landscape, restoring damaged ecologies, increasing biodiversity, and promoting human health, while also managing expectations of the traditional campus aesthetic. This means that a campus landscape must be ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable to contribute to an institution’s resiliency and health in both the short and long term.

The landscape reflects a safe, resilient, historical, cultural, and attractive aesthetic that serves as an educational resource while demonstrating the values of EWU.

EWU will continue to build a culture of sustainability by providing engagement opportunities, collaborating across divisions, and engaging with the internal and external community through strategic partnerships.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

CURRENT CAMPUS LANDSCAPE

METHODOLOGY

IMAGE AND IDENTITY

The first steps in developing these living guidelines were to thoroughly and systematically assess the state of green spaces on EWU’s campus. This process included campus outreach through open houses, Sustainability Committee meetings, and other student and faculty focused outreach, with support and direction from the Office of Sustainability. The state of existing plantings and irrigation have been reviewed and assessed. Social factors were also evaluated, including the needs and diversity of people using the space, the importance of safe pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and the status of improvements already completed on campus.

EWU is situated at the western edge of Cheney, WA, which is nestled at the junction of the Palouse Prairie (to the northwest), Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (to the south), and Columbia Plateau Trail State Park (to the southeast). These natural connections allow the campus to speak to the area’s natural history and bring the distinct and iconic landscape types into the campus.

There are great opportunities for taking this effort to the next level. From upgrading street tree plantings, converting turf grass to meadow or planting areas, providing small Garden Patches, improving the landscape around building entries, upgrades to the campus irrigation system to adding layers of cool and lush plantings, opportunities abound for turning EWU’s campus into a regenerative landscape.

In 1882, the Benjamin P. Cheney Academy opened its doors to more than 200 enrolling students. A generous contribution of $10,000 from Mr. Cheney, a wealthy transportation industrialist, had finally fulfilled the dreams of Cheney citizens who had long desired an institute for higher learning in their community. The academy became the State Normal School at Cheney in 1889, the same year Washington was given its statehood. The school was proudly designated as an institution “for the purpose of instruction of persons, both male and female, in the art of teaching the various branches that pertain to a good common school.” 1 By the time it became Eastern Washington College of Education in 1937, it was already a fully accredited four-year, degree-granting institution offering majors in numerous subjects. The campus multiplied in size and program offerings in the decades following World War II. In 1961, the name was again changed to Eastern Washington State College. It was increasingly evident that the region needed professionals in many fields; in response, a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs were added. Finally, in 1977, the state Legislature changed the school’s name to Eastern Washington University.

1 (https://catalog.ewu.edu/history/index.html) Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Eastern Washington University is located in a unique setting at the edge of the historic Palouse Prairie and adjacent to the unique wetland habitat of the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. The natural environment was shaped by massive lava flows, cataclysmic floods, and prevailing winds that scoured the basalt and deposited rich loess soils. Recent history has seen the natural environment shaped by agriculture and the development of the university and the City of Cheney. EWU generally experiences short, warm-to-hot, and primarily clear summers with freezing, snowy, and mainly cloudy winters. Spring and fall are transitional, with much of the rainfall occurring during these times. The hot season lasts almost three months, from mid-June to around mid-September. The average daily high temperature is typically above 75°F. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 84°F and a low of 57°F. The cold season lasts slightly over three months, from mid-November to late February, with an average daily high temperature below 43°F. The coldest month of the year in Cheney is December, with an average low of 25°F and a high of 34°F. The wettest part of the year is typically from late October to early June. November is typically the wettest month. The months with the most precipitation are March, May, and November. Precipitation in November is typically about 2”. The total precipitation per year is between 17 and 19 inches. August is typically the driest month, with fewer than three days with potential for precipitation.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

EWU’s LANDSCAPE TODAY

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Principle 1 Promote Education, Demonstration, Experimentation, and Involvement

Campus Identity and Values The diversity of EWU’s landscape, from the Showalter lawn to the Prairie Restoration, affords EWU’s students and faculty numerous opportunities to use the campus as a laboratory, a learning landscape, and a promoter of innovative technologies in the realms of horticulture and natural resource stewardship. New planting should be selected for drought tolerance, with a priority for natives to promote regional biodiversity and sustainable maintenance.

Sustainable Education The campus landscape will serve as a classroom, laboratory, demonstration, and collaboration space. Campus landscapes should be utilized for teaching and research as they allow students, faculty, and staff to practice their expertise and contribute to the body of University research. Outdoor environments should be well-equipped to facilitate daily interactions between all groups. Connections are made within these spaces, and ideas are shared. Students, faculty, and staff should be actively involved in implementing the campus landscape. They should be encouraged to collaborate and consult with designers and staff in all project planning, preparation, installation, and maintenance phases. Students, staff, and faculty who are invested in and engaged with the campus landscape are more likely to maintain, defend, and support the implementation and maintenance of resilient and sustainable practices.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

Plazas, courtyards, and small alcoves have valuable roles to play in casting first impressions of the University, as they often portray the daily life of a student. These spaces near building entrances provide areas for students and faculty to meet, study, or spend time before entering or after exiting the building and should feel welcoming, comfortable, friendly, and animated by furniture. An institution of higher learning is an exceptional place to demonstrate a new way of designing and maintaining landscapes. Education is critical in getting people to understand the new expectations of a college campus aesthetic. Stormwater infiltration areas and new prairie landscapes are great places to begin with outreach and education. Sustainable landscape education on campus could include signage, tours, research plots, informative QR codes, interactive websites, and social networking.

Prairie Restoration Trail systems within the Palouse Prairie provide an opportunity to educate all visitors about the significance of the Palouse Prairie and EWU’s stewardship of it. Safe and accessible pathways and trails should be provided through the natural areas to integrate these areas into the academic and social life of EWU. Clear directional signage should be provided at trailheads for the pathway system and within the campus core to direct students to the natural areas for study, research, and recreation. Pedestrian crossings at Washington Street should be evaluated for safety, and additional pedestrian connections from the campus core to the prairie should be provided where needed.

Community Engagement The Campus Garden should continue to encourage interaction between students, staff, and many of the retired faculty and staff of the EWU community. A full-time manager might manage the garden, coordinating garden selections with campus food services to create an authentic “farm-totable” experience. EWU should also consider incorporating edible plant species and “Garden Patches” at key campus locations to bring the garden to the campus core, demonstrate local food production, and support student health and wellness.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Objectives And Strategies Campus Identity and Values

Sustainable Education

Community Engagement

> “Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA, and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place – the knowledge that comes from the land.” EWU Land Acknowledgement

> The Sustainability Spine will be developed to integrate sustainable landscaping into the core of the campus.

> Partnerships with local and regional organizations engaged in inclusive sustainability efforts will be expanded and strengthened.

> The campus landscape will demonstrate sustainable design principles.

> Sustainability and landscape sustainability will be integrated throughout curricula, communication pathways, and research. > Sustainability demonstration gardens and landscapes will be developed for passive and interactive learning.

> Outdoor classrooms, plazas, and abundant seating areas will be created to foster interaction and discussion.

> Full internships and service-learning opportunities will be provided for students looking to increase their understanding of sustainability.

> Learning areas will be located to accommodate the educational needs of departments.

> Engage students in learning and implementing sustainable landscape maintenance projects

> Students, faculty, staff, and administration will actively participate in sustainable landscape initiatives.

> The community garden will be expanded and enhanced to increase student engagement and local food production and decrease food insecurity.

> Partner with students, staff, and faculty to develop inclusive sustainability programming.

> Garden boxes and edible species will be integrated into the campus landscape to increase access and demonstrate local food production.

> Sustainability programming will be inclusive and culturally appropriate. > Messaging will be developed to showcase the interconnectedness between sustainability and health and well-being.

Prairie Restoration > Interpretive and electronic access to the Prairie Restoration project will be provided for research, education, and recreation. > Clear and defined trail connections will be provided to access the Prairie restoration project. > Research projects that engage undergraduate and graduate students will be pursued to expand the Prairie Restoration.

> Classes representing a variety of disciplines will be engaged to play a role in documenting before and after conditions of campus landscape sustainability.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Principle 2 Create a More Sustainable and Resilient Campus Landscape

Sustainable Landscape Development All campus improvements should be made with an eye toward sustainability, through reducing water use, promoting multi-modal transportation, reducing heat islands, and maintaining artificial and natural landscapes. EWU should continue utilizing LEED standards and reference the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) when planning buildings and development. SITES is similar to LEED but focuses specifically on landscapes; it is a set of comprehensive, voluntary guidelines with a rating system that assesses the sustainable design, construction, and maintenance of landscapes. Certified projects can earn Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels. Campus landscape areas generally fall into four categories with unique functions and aesthetics: > High Impact Contemporary > High Impact Traditional Collegiate > Low Impact Contemporary > Low Impact Habitat Restoration Plants can be used to reinforce campus identity. Landscape areas adjacent to and leading up to buildings are of chief importance and should highlight entrances and plazas. Other areas of importance include transition areas, shared spaces, and walkways. Shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses should be used to bring bold color, movement, and texture to active spaces within the campus. By using a standard selection of plants in areas receiving similar types of use, a familiar pattern is established that communicates a spatial relationship within the campus.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

The foundation of the campus plant palette will be native and adapted ornamental plants, including species recommended for Palouse Prairie management. The selection of appropriate plant material for use on any project within the EWU campus is significant. New planting designs should match the surrounding context while increasing the drought-tolerant and native species, leading to a more natural landscape.

Recognition Opportunities A “Bee Campus USA” designation recognizes educational campuses that commit to practices that support pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, among other species. It provides a framework for college campus communities to work to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites, and reducing the use of pesticides. Affiliates make commitments to save native pollinators through education and outreach. Students, faculty, administrators, and staff work together to carry out these commitments and make their campus a better place for pollinators. A designation from this organization would signal EWU’s commitment to sustainable practices to prospective students and potential donors. Turf areas are typically the most resource-consumptive landscape element on campus. It is very valuable where it is frequented - for study, relaxation, and recreation (quads, etc.) – but in the underutilized portions of campus, it serves little function. Turf areas adjacent to buildings should be minimized to limit overspray and hard water stains on structures.

Converting these areas to planter areas filled with native and drought-tolerant species will support native wildlife and pollinators. Additionally, native grass seed mixes should be explored for some remaining turf areas to minimize irrigation and fertilizer requirements and bolster biodiversity. Regionally native and diverse habitats are more resilient to drought, cold, and disease and will attract a greater array of birds, wildlife, and insects. Replacing irrigation and fertilizer-reliant turf with native and drought-tolerant plants would reduce irrigation efforts, limit the use of chemical fertilizers, and provide habitat for native species and pollinators. There is an opportunity to evoke the feeling of the natural Palouse Prairie throughout campus while contributing educational areas for students and strengthening the cultural heritage of the campus.

By using native plants originally found in the prairie, EWU can showcase its distinct roots and connection to the prairie while reinforcing its commitment to climate resiliency. Regionally adapted, drought-tolerant and local native plants require less water and maintenance. These plantings and vernacular landscapes reinforce EWU’s unique relationship to the region.

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High Impact Contemporary

High Impact Traditional Collegiate

Function: Tough, resilient plantings with limited turf grass that maintain their form in winter and withstand constant foot traffic and de-icer.

Function: Tough, resilient plantings and appropriate turf grass areas that maintain their form in winter and withstand constant foot traffic and de-icer.

Aesthetic: Layered landscape with all-season interest. Large, bold plant masses match the building scale. Little to no symmetry in front of buildings with large beds of native and adapted shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses. Plants selected for moderate height, limited pruning requirements, and to cover areas, reducing weeding.

Aesthetic: Layered landscape with all-season interest. Symmetrical plantings reinforce grand building entries, for example. Plants selected for traditional Collegiate style (yews, for instance), moderate height, limited pruning requirements, and to cover areas, reducing weeding. Perennial displays at major high-impact entrances and unique focal points. Turf grass areas are strategically maintained to support informal student gatherings and recreation.

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Low Impact Contemporary Function: Native and adapted, tough, resilient plantings. Layered landscape with simple, structured plantings in transitional areas with pedestrian scale. Resilient plants withstand urban conditions and prevent erosion. It also includes turf grass areas converted to low-maintenance native and adapted grasses. Aesthetic: Inspired by native plant communities, these transitional spaces incorporate stormwater facilities and provide opportunities to plant flowering plants to support pollinators. Incorporate benches and seat walls for students to gather. Low-maintenance grass areas reflect the prairie and Ponderosa Pine bunch grass aesthetic.

Low Impact Habitat Restoration Function: Tough, resilient native plantings and prairie grasses in the Prairie Restoration area and extensions onto campus. Stormwater facilities will integrate these plantings to reflect a variety of moisture regimes and regional habitats. Aesthetic: Layered landscape with all-season interest dominated by native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees. Natural plantings that reflect regional habitat types provide opportunities for pollinators and wildlife. Identify priority areas to remove high maintenance and high water landscapes and replace them with native and drought-tolerant plants to minimize water and fertilizer use and

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

Commitment to Trees Lining open walkways and paved areas like plazas with deciduous trees defines pedestrian walkways and spaces, shades them in the summer, and allows sunlight through during the winter months. Trees and vegetation minimize the urban heat island effect by shading hardscape surfaces, deflecting solar radiation, lowering surface and air temperatures, and releasing moisture into the air. Additional benefits include: > Reduced energy use: Trees and vegetation that directly shade buildings decrease demand for air conditioning > Improved air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions: By reducing energy demand, trees, and vegetation decrease the production of associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. They also remove air pollutants and store and sequester carbon dioxide. > Enhanced stormwater management and water quality: Vegetation reduces runoff and improves water quality by absorbing and filtering rainwater > Reduced pavement maintenance: Tree shade can slow the deterioration of street pavement, decreasing the care needed. > Improved quality of life: Trees and vegetation proved aesthetic value, habitat for many species, and can reduce noise. Building entrances should be a primary focus of campus spaces. Trees and shrubs at building entrances should support but not compete with the architectural definition of a building’s entrance. Bike parking should be organized linearly on pavement edges to minimize their visual prominence. Bike racks should be under a building overhang to protect them from the weather. Trees in campus environments such as parking lots often face harsh conditions including compacted soils, road and walkway salt, air pollutants, and barriers to root growth. Future tree planting and management practices that include proper soil preparation and planting areas will help remediate urban stresses, and trees can live healthier lives. This, in turn, will improve the quality of the campus environment

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

and bolster tree biodiversity. A standard campus plant palette should incorporate a variety of native and pollinatorfriendly plants to bolster resilience to climate changes and disease and support wildlife. A common plant palette should incorporate plants to minimize maintenance while providing an inviting and consistent image. Plantings should support the architectural definition of a building’s entrance. Native and diverse habitats are regionally adapted and more resilient to stresses such as drought, cold, and disease and will attract a greater array of birds and insects. They can also promote familiarity with the Palouse Prairie’s natural ecosystem and biological systems’ ecological health. A unified campus theme is established with a foundational plant palette. Areas with similar uses and spatial relationships should be developed with a plant and material palettes that communicate the type of use regardless of location on campus. New planting should be selected for drought tolerance, prioritizing native and adapted species to create a regionally appropriate campus character and promote biodiversity and sustainable maintenance. The planting palette for areas adjacent to the prairie should be selected from only native Palouse Prairie suited to the particular micro climate. The Palouse Prairie Foundation is an excellent resource for native plant lists and suppliers of plants and seeds.

Green Technologies Multi-modal transportation should be encouraged by supporting bike and bus ridership with bike lanes, wellplaced and abundant bike racks, and safe, well-lit access to bus stops. EWU should periodically remind students that bus passes are included in their tuition. Free on-site parking should be minimized or assigned based on need (flexible parking) to discourage driving from Spokane and stimulate bus ridership. A strategic concentration of parking would promote more pedestrian and cyclingfriendly campus environments and achieve more cost and energy-effective operation of parking services. EWU must mitigate the demand for campus parking spaces to achieve a smaller carbon footprint and compel students to use public transportation. The Climate Action Plan 2022- 25 reports that commuting by students and employees to and from campus makes up approximately 70% of Scope 3 (another person/ organization’s scope) emissions. Installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations could reduce excess parking and promote electric vehicle use for EWU and the City of Cheney. As of 2022, ChargePoint.com and ChargeHub.com do not show any EV charging stations within the city. Universities are often the nexus of innovation and technology, offering EWU the opportunity to champion EV use within the city and demonstrate its commitment to climate resiliency. Priority locations for future solar panels should be identified to ensure new tree plantings will not block sunlight. Candidates for solar panels can be new construction or existing buildings, as long as the structures can bear the extra weight. EWU should conduct a solar study to determine which existing roofs might be good candidates for solar panels and to explore grid integration requirements. New planting areas and designs should take advantage of passive solar and daylighting techniques to lower energy use; deciduous canopy trees on the south side of buildings can shade structures in the summer and allow sunlight penetration in the winter. New buildings should be sited and designed to minimize energy by employing proper solar orientation to minimize the need for mechanical heating and cooling systems and reduce operating costs.

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Lighting plays a significant role on campus. Site lighting contributes to public safety wayfinding and highlights substantial elements within the landscape. As part of the school’s Climate Action Plan, modifying older light fixtures to LED lighting would significantly reduce electricity use, provide longer-lasting bulbs, and potentially contribute more ample light to all pedestrian corridors and outdoor spaces. Green roofs can retain a large amount of stormwater runoff depending on the frequency and intensity of rainstorms. Extensive, shallow-media systems and intensive, deep-soil systems can transform flat roofs into parks and gardens. Other benefits include reductions in building energy (heating and cooling) costs, urban heat island effect, heat sink opportunities in the summer, and biodiversity and habitat enhancement. Most green roofs are planted with droughtresistant, non-native plants. Still, many support locally adapted prairie grasses and wildflowers, while other green roofs are used as gardens for herbs and vegetables. Green roofs can serve as learning tools for students and create additional campus green spaces.

Habitat Existing wildlife habitats should be identified, protected, and enhanced to create appropriate wildlife covers, such as logs, brush shelters, dry stacked stone walls, and bird and bat houses. These spaces will look different from traditional campus spaces and should include signage informing passers-by of the space’s intent and the benefits of biodiverse habitats.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Objectives And Strategies Sustainable Landscape Development

Green Technologies

> The campus will be unified with a consistent and regional approach to the landscape.

> Green technologies will be evaluated as a priority for implementation.

> Campus landscapes will utilize LEED and SITES rating systems to evaluate proposed landscapes for

> Alternative transportation and EV Powered Vehicle infrastructure will be developed.

new buildings.

> Campus-wide sustainable landscape construction, irrigation, and planting standards will be developed.

> A hierarchy of landscape areas will be set (high to low priority, high to low visibility). > The landscape will extend the natural environment from which EWU was created into the campus core.

> Landscapes within the Sustainability Spine will be modified to reduce turf areas, reduce water use and create more sustainable landscapes.

> A regionally responsive plant palette will be implemented that includes plants appropriate for all campus site conditions.

> Open and historic lawn areas will be identified and retained for recreation.

> Future solar panel locations will be identified to ensure that landscape strategies for existing and new plantings can be implemented to preserve key solar access.

> Pervious paving systems will be integrated into locations to reduce stormwater runoff. > Native and low water use species will be incorporated into green roofs on new and renovations where possible.

> Plant additional trees that will provide shade to minimize heat island effects.

Habitat > Natural connections between the Restoration project and the campus core will be established. > Existing wildlife corridors and habitats will be enhanced where possible.

> Turf areas will be reduced by 50%. > The existing tree canopy on campus will be protected and enhanced. > The carbon footprint of campus landscape management will be reduced by 45% by 2030. > The campus plant species diversity will be increased. > Landscape plantings and practices will be developed to support the achievement of Bee Campus USA designation for bees and other pollinators.

> Native species representing local communities (prairie, wetland, aspen/riparian, steppe, and ponderosa pine/bunchgrass) will be used throughout the campus landscape.

> Landscape plantings will incorporate a layering system to provide habitat opportunities for birds, insects, and other wildlife to increase campus biodiversity.

> Plantings at building entrances will include a consistent yet diverse plant palette of low water use/ maintenance native and adapted plants that provide year-round interest.

> Landscape plantings will reinforce the historic character of key buildings. > Stormwater management will be integrated into the landscape.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Principle 3 Promote Optimal First Impressions and Perception

Welcoming Campus EWU has several primary vehicular and pedestrian entry points that provide opportunities for first impressions of the campus. The current primary entry sign on Washington Street needs to be clearly connected to the campus. Improvements to the streetscape and strategic landscaping around the sign can improve this first impression and better connect it to the campus.

Campus Safety The existing campus landscape will be renovated over time to mitigate both ongoing maintenance issues and safety concerns. Removal and replacement of tall shrubs next to buildings that have outgrown their intended size are good examples of a change that will improve aesthetics, reduce maintenance, and address perceived and real safety concerns. New landscapes will incorporate plant materials identified in the campus guidelines and standards. Walks, trails, and parking lots will be designed to minimize the risk of slips, trips, and falls.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles should guide walkway design and maintenance. For example, the use of large shrubs should be restricted to areas that can accommodate them without compromising pedestrian sight lines. Increased visibility and clear site lines provide natural surveillance resulting in a safer environment for students, faculty, and staff. Natural surveillance also increases the perceived risk of getting caught, which can reduce opportunities for crime to occur. Strategies include proper lighting of walkways, stairs, entrances, exits, and parking lots; and properly trimming trees and shrubs to increase landscape visibility.

Objectives And Strategies Campus Safety > Campus lighting to be reviewed to increase lighting along pathways and parking lots where necessary. > The campus landscape will be reviewed and designed to minimize security concerns. > Walks, trails, and parking lots will be designed to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. > New and renovated landscape areas will be designed to CPTED standards and design guidelines. > Exterior lighting will be dark-sky compliant.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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Principle 4 Enhance the Campus As A Place For Pedestrians. Circulation, Gathering and Accessibility.

Objectives And Strategies

Circulation

Gathering

Where possible, vehicular activity (and parking lots) should be limited to the edges of campus so that the heart of campus is pedestrian-oriented and comfortable, and vehicular-pedestrian conflicts are limited. Raised pedestrian crosswalks at key pedestrian and vehicular conflict zones and limiting the heights of adjacent plants would further contribute to a safe campus. Though trees and shrubs should be planted around the perimeter of a parking lot to soften the visual impact, shrubs should be low so that sightlines in and out of the parking lot are maintained.

Gathering spaces should be enhanced to provide flexible seating for individual and small groups of students. The use of moveable seating and tables should be explored to create a more comfortable environment. Building entrances should incorporate seating, lighting and other site furnishings to create opportunities for students to interact after class while creating a more pedestrian friendly space at building entrances.

Accessibility

> Safe, visible travel routes across campus streets and pedestrian malls will be improved and developed.

Where service vehicles and pedestrians need to share the same route, the pavements should be configured to prioritize pedestrian movement. The enhancement of alternative transportation options and infrastructure is critical – bus routes and stops, as well as bike lanes, parking, and bikesharing systems, are important factors to consider in supporting a transition to a people-centric campus. Routes for semi-annual events of move-in/move-out days for residential buildings.

Campus accessibility initiatives are critical to creating a campus environment that is free of barriers and hazards.

> A wayfinding and signage system will be designed to educate drivers about pedestrian and bicycle priority.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

Circulation > The campus circulation system will include a hierarchy of walks, pathways, streets, crossings, and parking lots, prioritizing accessibility and pedestrian and bicycle traffic over vehicles.

> Native and adapted plants will be incorporated along pedestrian connections to give individual walkways a unique identity. > Trees will be planted along pedestrian ways to replace existing trees matched in size, form, and species to accentuate significant pedestrian ways.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

P R I N C I P L E S , O B J E C T I V E S , A N D S T R AT E G I E S

Principle 5 Improve Irrigation Efficiency And Stormwater Management.

Irrigation Efficiency and Conservation The two primary keys to improving campus irrigation efficiency are control of irrigation timing and efficient water application. EWU has begun the implementation of a central control system to control the application and timing of irrigation more efficiently. Utilizing a wide range of environmental inputs that include evapotranspiration, types of plantings, soils, and slopes, a central control system will significantly improve the efficiency of the campus irrigation system. Additionally, the irrigation water service should be renovated to consolidate points of connection and supply to the irrigation mainline to reduce the number of backflow prevention devices that require maintenance and annual inspection. The consolidation would include flow control and management to fully understand the amount of water utilized for irrigation on campus and create measurable data to track improvements and water savings. Implementing the central control system campus-wide is the most effective way to reduce water use in the landscape.

Water Re-Use Several campus buildings have installed sump pumps to remove water from basements year-round. A Wastewater Reuse Plan was previously developed that incorporated new and existing tanks to receive the wastewater for storage and reuse in irrigation. Currently, two buildings have demonstration systems, Patterson Hall and Hargreaves Hall.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

These two systems should be evaluated and upgraded to provide measurable data on the amount of water reused and track system efficiency. These two systems are included in the Wastewater Reuse Plan. Rainwater harvesting and reuse in landscape irrigation should be implemented by capturing roof runoff and holding it in tanks (water reuse) or cisterns for later use, possibly in garden areas.

Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces should be captured in stormwater swales or rainwater gardens where possible. Bio-swales intercept runoff through check dams and are planted with native species that can tolerate a range of wet to dry conditions. They slow contaminated runoff, allow the vegetation to filter out impurities, provide carbon sinks, and create new habitats for wildlife.

Stormwater Water-impervious surfaces such as streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs are non-point sources of pollutants and shed valuable stormwater during storm events. Whenever hard surfaces are redesigned, EWU should consider reducing its footprint to allow stormwater to soak into the ground or utilizing pervious materials such as pavers or porous concrete. Managing runoff from storms and snowmelt is an essential task – use pervious pavements where possible to minimize non-point source pollution of waterways while also increasing groundwater recharge and reducing stress on existing stormwater infrastructure. Effective stormwater management protects water quality, minimizes erosion, and recharges groundwater. Rather than directing runoff from rooftops and pavement into pipes and street gutters, new development and redevelopment should best use topography, soils, and vegetation to slow down, filter, and eliminate runoff.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

P R I N C I P L E S , O B J E C T I V E S , A N D S T R AT E G I E S

Objectives And Strategies Irrigation Efficiency and Conservation

Water Re-Use

Stormwater

> The irrigation control system will be converted to a central control system with ET water management to irrigate the campus more efficiently.

> The use of potable water for irrigation will be reduced.

> Reduce hardscape areas where possible and integrate water, vegetation, and soil systems to protect water quality, reduce pollution, prevent flooding, and treat stormwater at the source.

> The campus irrigation system will be evaluated by maintenance staff to identify weak areas that can be costeffectively modified or replaced to reduce water use. > Irrigation systems will be designed with new landscapes incorporating drought tolerant and low water use species to reduce water use by implementing more efficient irrigation systems. > An irrigation as-built database and mapping will be developed to monitor and maintain irrigation systems more efficiently.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

> The draft Wastewater Reuse plan will be reviewed and evaluated for implementation to utilize wastewater pumped from buildings and discharged to storm sewers. > Existing wastewater systems at Patterson Hall and Hargreaves Hall will be assessed and modified to provide data regarding reuse water quantities and improve efficiency. > Rainwater harvesting and reuse in landscape irrigation will be implemented where practical.

> Expand on-site infiltration by implementing low-impact development (LID) strategies such as bio-infiltration soils, rain gardens, and other best management practices to increase water quality and decrease the quantity of stormwater runoff. > Stormwater runoff from parking lots and other impervious surfaces will be captured for infiltration in landscape areas. > Existing stormwater facilities will be renovated to incorporate native and adapted plantings to reflect local habitat types and to increase natural functions.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

P R I N C I P L E S , O B J E C T I V E S , A N D S T R AT E G I E S

Principle 6

Integrate Cultural Heritage And Natural Resources

Cultural Heritage Stewardship EWU’s campus has several historical features, buildings, and landscapes that create a sense of place and reinforce the campus identity. Examples include Showalter Hall, One Room School House, and the Arevalo Student Mall. Each is unique, and changes to the landscape require careful consideration. Although the one-room schoolhouse is not original to the EWU campus, landmark sites such as these could be enhanced with native plants, grasses, and forbs that would have originally been found on the Palouse and augment the historic sense of place. EWU should strengthen and expand partnerships with local and regional organizations engaged in inclusive sustainability efforts and ensure sustainability programming is culturally appropriate by partnering with students, staff, and faculty from various backgrounds. Identify social factors including but not limited to the cultural significance of existing historic buildings and structures, objects and cultural landscapes, views to and from significant sites, site landmarks, and historically significant or unique trees. New campus buildings that support specific cultural initiatives should incorporate landscape plantings that support and enhance the cultural industries and goals of the building.

For example, a building that promotes Native American cultural initiatives and programs could incorporate plantings that educate about Tribal Food Sovereignty.

Natural Resources EWU boasts unique natural areas to the west of campus that create memorable settings and an invaluable educational, recreational, and environmental resource for the University. Where appropriate, integrate native plants that harmonize with natural and historic character and bring prairie elements into campus, enhancing plantings’ practical, educational, and aesthetic uses. Remove invasive species, improve habitat, and maintain or enhance Palouse Prairie access. Trail systems through the prairie provide an opportunity to educate users (both the EWU campus and the greater community) about the importance of the natural areas and EWU’s stewardship. Ongoing research on the Palouse Prairie should inform the stewardship of this critical resource. Environmental Stewardship on campus could include curriculum development for in-class education, living laboratories on campus, and Office of Sustainability summer internship(s) focusing on core urban environmental issues. Limit construction in the prairie.

Objectives And Strategies Cultural Heritage Stewardship > “Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who area connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place – the knowledge that comes from the land. “ - EWU Landscape Acknowledgement > The Spokane Tribe of Indians is a primary stakeholder to consult with on significant changes to the land. This is per the Washington State Tribal Consent and Consultation Policy, also known as the Centennial Accord. > EWU will identify critical cultural heritage landscape sites for improved stewardship and understanding. > Historically significant areas associated with important events, individuals, and student groups will be enhanced for learning opportunities.

Natural Resources > The Prairie Restoration project will continue to be a priority showcasing EWU’s commitment to stewardship, research, and outdoor recreation. > Invasive species will be removed from campus.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

P R I N C I P L E S , O B J E C T I V E S , A N D S T R AT E G I E S

Principle 7

Implement Sustainable Maintenance Practices

Maintenance Staff Driven Solutions EWU has a very dedicated and professional landscape maintenance staff. During discussions with staff, several suggestions were made to improve the sustainability of the campus. Staff should be involved in projects from design through construction to help ensure that the landscape projects can be maintained with available resources. The EWU campus landscape has developed one project at a time, with the landscape and irrigation for each new building generally standing alone with limited connection to the landscapes that preceded them. EWU has begun the implementation of a central control system for irrigation that will significantly improve the ability of maintenance staff to monitor and adjust irrigation timing to maximize efficiency. Small remnant turf grass areas are frequently created that are difficult to irrigate and maintain efficiently. Part of this master plan has been to develop a framework for maintenance staff to identify areas that may not need irrigation or where the existing irrigation system should be modified to be more efficient and reduce water waste. Mowing lawns at a greater height where turf remains encourages the grass to extend deeper root systems and become more drought tolerant. Ground crews have a valuable understanding of existing irrigation systems that could be more efficient or updated. EWU should prioritize the maintenance and renovation of irrigation zones that overspray onto hardscapes and walls, and zones suspected of leaking or inefficiencies.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

If landscape areas are converted to low-maintenance and drought-tolerant landscapes, some irrigation will be removed or modified to be more efficient. Currently, grounds crews operate internal combustion-powered mowers, string trimmers, snow blowers, and other equipment. The technology associated with power maintenance equipment is evolving very quickly. EWU should evaluate equipment with new technologies to replace current equipment. Investing in newer equipment will reduce downtime for repairs while allowing EWU to take advantage of technological advances as it moves toward a zero-emission fleet. As the need arises for replacement or additional Grounds equipment, the University should invest in electric tools and equipment to reduce GHG emissions and provide cleaner air and a quieter learning environment for students. A comprehensive strategy for fleet electrification and EV chargers on campus should be developed, planning for growth and demand over the following decades. Additionally, campus facilities should investigate using robotic mowers to free up maintenance personnel time in large turf areas. Manufacturers are constantly improving equipment with multiple cameras to detect obstacles and take action to avoid them, including the machine powering down until the path is clear to ensure the safety of students and wildlife. EWU maintenance staff should investigate developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan to prevent pests (including plants and animals) and their damage. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment.

This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. This can be achieved through biological control, habitat manipulation, resistant varieties, and modifying cultural practices where pesticides are used infrequently. A campus tree inventory can identify the helath of campus trees. Tree planting and replacement should result in a net gain of at least 3% each year.

Objectives And Strategies Maintenance Staff Driven Solutions > Landscape design, project management, and administrative staff will collaborate with maintenance staff to identify practical solutions, innovative maintenance, and operations best practices for sustainability. > Maintenance staff will identify landscape areas that do not need irrigation or require modification of irrigation systems to reduce wasted water. > The team will evaluate strategies to maintain campus landscapes more efficiently by implementing technologydriven solutions. > All routine mowing will be completed by electrically powered automated machinery recharged by a renewable source.

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

MASTER PLAN

Sustainability Spine: Demonstrating A Sustainable Future The Sustainability Spine is an opportunity to highlight EWU’s sustainable and climate resiliency strategies. It will include elements of all seven principles to feature sustainable education opportunities, low maintenance and low-water use plants, green stormwater practices, CPTED design strategies, wayfinding, cultural learning opportunities, and garden patches.

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MASTER PLAN

Quadrant 1 The Northwest corner, Quadrant 1 of Eastern Washington University has all three of four landscape types. High Impact Traditional Collegiate: The landscape around the walkways serving the Physical Education buildings consists of established grass areas and mature plantings of evergreen and deciduous shrubs. Deciduous shrubs (burning bush) and ornamental grasses fronting on Washington Street are part of EWU’s traditional landscape framework. Roos Field is located within this quadrant. The northern portion of the stadium bowl incorporates burning bush and other adapted plants in a traditional planting. Transitional areas between the parking lots and the Prairie Restoration Project reflect the some of the characteristics of the Low Impact Contemporary landscape. The Prairie Restoration Project is reflective of the Low Impact Habitat Restoration. While the project is in the initial stages, much of the 120+ acres will be converted from agriculture to Palouse Prairie habitat. There are opportunities within this quadrant to enhance the Washington Street corridor starting at the north gateway to provide a better sense of arrival through strategic landscape plantings. Additionally, the prairie restoration character can be applied to small turf areas in order to bring the prairie into campus. Plant selection and renovation can enhance opportunities for additional pollinator habitat.

KEY

CALLOUTS

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PROPOSED SOLAR PANELS

EXPANDED SCIENCE GREENHOUSE

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

MASTER PLAN

Quadrant 2 EWU’s Northeast corner, Quadrant 2 includes landscapes that reflect many High Impact Traditional Collegiate characteristics. For example, the landscape around snyamncut has a traditional collegiate aesthetic with turf and foundation plantings. The trees and plantings are generally native and adapted with efficient irrigation. Some small turf areas are included that are difficult to water and maintain. The landscape of the older residence halls is more traditional turf with limited foundation plantings and a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. Existing irrigation systems in this quadrant need to be updated as projects to replace or renovate residence halls occur. Continued attention to the landscape at both the Dressler Hall corner sign and identity sign at ‘C’ Street and Elm will serve to Promote Optimal First Impressions and Perception.

CALLOUTS 1

KEY

FUTURE EWU OPEN SPACE

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MASTER PLAN

Quadrant 3 Quadrant 3 has a variety of landscape types, from the High Impact Traditional Collegiate that can be found around the WA State Digital Archives (ARC) and the WA State Patrol Crime Lab (WSP) to the Low Impact Habitat Restoration of The Prairie Restoration Project. The Prairie Restoration project is important in that it promotes education and experimentation as well as providing an opportunity ‘Integrate Cultural Heritage and Natural Resources’ into the campus. The landscape around Student Family Housing is mostly turf grass and trees with minimal foundation plantings. The athletic fields and community garden do not fit directly into any of the categories. The expansion of the community garden can ‘Create a More Sustainable and Resilient Campus Landscape’ by providing a local source of food and opportunities for pollinators. The potential for locating a solar array in this quadrant can ‘Promote Education, Demonstration, Experimentation and Involvement’ as well as support campus sustainability and help ‘Implement Sustainable Maintenance Practices’.

KEY 2

CALLOUTS

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PROPOSED SOLAR PANELS

EXPANDED COMMUNITY GARDEN

FUTURE TRACK

EXISTING PALOUSE PRAIRE RESTORATION AND STUDY AREA

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

MASTER PLAN

Quadrant 4 Showalter Hall, Pence Union Building and Arevalo Student Mall represent the range of buildings and spaces that make up the academic core of campus. Implementation of the Waste Water Reuse plan in the campus core would take advantage of waste water pumped from building basements to irrigate the campus and reduce reliance on pumped groundwater. The Sustainability Spine would connect a new EWU monument sign at the corner of ‘F’ Street and 6th Street to the recently completed ISC building with it’s ‘Low Impact Contemporary’ landscape that is inspired by native plant communities, provides opportunities for pollinators and creates an educational environment. The Sustainability Spine includes the One Room School House. The school house site represents an opportunity to shift from the traditional turf and foundation landscape plantings to a ‘Low Impact Habitat Restoration’ that is more representative of the landscape vernacular found around the original sites of Eastern Washington school houses.

3 4 5

KEY

CALLOUTS

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

PATTERSON TANK (EXISTING)

HARGRAVES TANK (EXISTING)

SHOWALTER TANK (PROPOSED)

SHOWALTER PRAIRIE, RE-WILDING

TEMPORARY PRAIRIE, RE-WILDING

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Proposed Campus Re-wilding 40

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y E N H A N C E M E N T P R O J E C T S

Representative Sustainability Enhancement projects have been identified with recommendations for renovations and maintenance for EWU’s campus landscape.

05.F

The series of icons reference implementation of specific Master Plan Principles within each project.

Legend > 05.A

The One Room School House | Cheney Normal School Heritage Center: Vernacular Landscape Restoration

> 05.B

Irrigated Turf Reduction

> 05.C

Irrigated Turf Reduction And Pollinator Plantings

> 05.D

Irrigated Turf Reduction And Identity Enhancement

> 05.E

Identity Enhancement: F Street Gateway

> 05.F

North Washington Gateway Improvements Sustainable Plantings And Prairie Restoration

> 05.G

Identity And Branding - Eagle’s Flight

> 05.H

Prairie Restoration Project

> 05.I

Showalter Swale

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

05.C 05.G 05.A

05.B

05.D

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05.E

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y E N H A N C E M E N T P R O J E C T S

05.A The One Room School House | Cheney Normal School Heritage Center: Vernacular Landscape Restoration

Existing

Enhanced

Built in 1905, the One Room School House, formally known as the Jore School, was found in the woods near Newport, Washington. It was relocated to EWU and restored with care and attention to historical accuracy. The School House represents EWU’s beginnings in 1890 as the first institution in Washington for teacher instruction.

Enhancement Strategy: An extensive educational outreach program should be created and implemented to ensure a broad understanding of the project and intent.

Description: While the building is historically accurate, the landscape does not reflect the landscape vernacular of the region’s original schools and homesteads. The project will convert traditional irrigated turf grass to prairie grasses and forbs for pollinators and to demonstrate prairie restoration within the campus core. The irrigation system will be modified to provide functional control of the irrigation around the building site. The prairie restoration and irrigation modification will reduce water use and long term maintenance. The hardscape walls and foundation planting will be strategically modified to integrate native shrubs and perennials as well as plants that were common to Eastern Washington homesteads. Native plants may include native lupine, serviceberry, mockorange, mahonia, and sticky geranium. Introduced historic plants may include bearded iris, flowering quince, lilacs, and other adapted plants. 42

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> The existing irrigation system should be modified to isolate the site from adjacent turf grass. Twelve inch high pop-up rotors should replace the existing irrigation to provide as needed irrigation for the prairie areas. > The foundation plantings would be irrigated with drip or bubblers. Reduce watering, power rake and overseed with fine fescue mix. Control weeds for first year and then inter-plant with student grown native forbes in masses throughout grass area.

Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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05.B Irrigated Turf Reduction

Existing

Enhanced

> Small lawn areas are typically inefficiently irrigated and difficult to effectively maintain. Curves and narrow strips generally result in irrigation overspray onto walks, wasting water. Reducing irrigated turf in these areas can reduce water use, the need for fertilizer applications, and weekly mowing.

> Plant native and adapted landscape plants spaced at 80% of mature width to fill in and shade out weeds. Plant selection depends on location. Do not plant within 6’ of existing trees and omit plants when large roots are found. > Extend drip tubing to individual plants. Emitters to be 1/2 gph to allow to soak in around plants.

Description: Remove irrigated grass, modify irrigation, and plant with native and adapted plants from campus plant list. Enhancement Strategy: > Install informational signage. > Shut down watering, power rake. Remove existing lawn with application of a broad spectrum spray or applying a weed barrier fabric and thick mulch to smother the grass. > Provide supplemental irrigation as necessary for trees during turf grass removal. > Once the grass is eliminated, reduce grades at sidewalks and curbs by 3-4” to accommodate organic mulch thickness. > Install drip irrigation tubing, 4” below finish grade and pin to maintain depth. > Apply 2” of topsoil / compost mix. Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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05.C Tawanka Commons Irrigated Turf Reduction and Pollinator Plantings

Existing

Enhanced

The existing lawn area around the Tawanka Commons entry is generally small, inefficiently irrigated, and difficult to effectively maintain.

> Apply 2” of topsoil / compost mix. > Plant native and adapted landscape plants spaced at 80% of mature width to fill in and shade out weeds. Plant selection depends on location. Do not plant within 6’ of existing trees and omit plants when large roots are found. > Extend drip tubing to individual plants. Emitters to be 1/2 gph to allow to soak in around plants. > Apply pre-emergent and then 4” of fine bark mulch.

Description: The entry can be enhanced with the removal of turf grass, resulting in reduced water use and sustainable identity. Remove irrigated grass, modify irrigation, and plant with native and adapted plants from campus plant list. Enhancement Strategy: > Install informational signage. > Isolate turf area to be converted. Shut down watering, power rake. Remove existing lawn with application of a broad spectrum spray or applying a weed barrier fabric and thick mulch to smother the grass. > Provide supplemental irrigation as necessary for trees during turf grass removal. > Once the grass is eliminated, reduce grades at sidewalks and curbs by 3-4” to accommodate organic mulch thickness. > Install drip irrigation tubing, 4” below finish grade and pin to maintain depth. 44

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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05.D Irrigated Turf Reduction and Identity Enhancement

Existing

Enhanced

Many existing lawn areas around parking lots are narrow, include stormwater swales, and are generally inefficiently irrigated and difficult to effectively maintain.

> Apply 2” of topsoil / compost mix. Install 4-6” of rock mulch at inlets to reduce erosion. > Plant native and adapted landscape plants spaced at 80% of mature width to fill in and shade out weeds. Plant selection depends on location. Do not plant within 6’ of existing trees and omit plants when large roots are found. Plants that are durable, resistant to deicer and snow piles should be selected for these areas. > Extend drip tubing to individual plants. Emitters to be 1/2 gph to allow to soak in around plants.

Description: Many parking areas provide an initial impression of EWU. The impression and parking lot can be enhanced with the removal of turf grass, resulting IN reduced water use and sustainable identity. Remove irrigated grass, modify irrigation, and plant with native and adapted plants from campus plant list. Enhancement Strategy: > Install informational signage. > Isolate turf area to be converted. Shut down watering, power rake. Remove existing lawn with application of a broad spectrum spray or applying a weed barrier fabric and thick mulch to smother the grass. > Provide supplemental irrigation as necessary for trees during turf grass removal. > Once the grass is eliminated, reduce grades at sidewalks and curbs by 3-4” to accommodate organic mulch thickness. > Install drip irrigation tubing, 4” below finish grade and pin to maintain depth. Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan

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05.E Identity Enhancement: F Street Gateway

Existing

Enhanced

The corner of 6th Street and ‘F’ Street is one of the most important opportunity locations on campus to reinforce EWU’s identify. Students from the surrounding neighborhoods enter the campus and use the main promenade and Sustainability Spine to access the core of campus.

> Construct new campus monument. > Plant native and adapted landscape plants spaced at 80% of mature width to fill in and shade out weeds. Plant selection depends on location. > Extend drip tubing to individual plants. Emitters to be 1/2 gph to allow to soak in around plants. > Apply pre-emergent and then 4” of fine bark mulch.

Description: Install a new EWU monument, similar in scale to the one located at the Child Care Center. This main entrance to the campus circulation system is enhanced with the monument and low water use plantings. Remove irrigated grass, modify irrigation, and plant with native and adapted plants from campus plant list. Enhancement Strategy: > Install informational signage. > Isolate turf area irrigation and construct monument sign. Install mow curb around planting area to protect sign from mowers and irrigation overspray. > Reduce grades at sidewalks and curbs by 3-4” to accommodate organic mulch thickness. > Install drip zone and irrigation tubing, 4” below finish grade and pin to maintain depth. > Apply 2” of topsoil / compost mix. 46

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05.F North Washington Gateway Improvements - Sustainable Plantings and Prairie Restoration

Existing

Enhanced

The North Washington Gateway is the most important and visible identity gateways for commuter students, faculty, visitors, and sports fans.

> Plant native and adapted landscape plants spaced at 80% of mature width to fill in and shade out weeds adjacent to monument. Establish prairie with planting of native forbs and grasses. > Plant seedlings grown on campus in the fall and conduct selective weed control.

Description: Enhance the landscape around the monument to reflect EWU’s commitment to the Prairie Restoration and incorporation of sustainable strategies on campus. The introduction of the prairie landscape type sets the landscape language for connections between the overall Prairie Restoration and the prairie elements on campus. Enhancement Strategy: > Install informational signage. > Reduce grades at sidewalks and curbs by 3-4” to accommodate organic mulch thickness. > If possible, install drip zone and irrigation tubing, 4” below finish grade and pin to maintain depth. > Apply 2” of topsoil / compost mix.

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05.G Identity and Branding - Eagle’s Flight

Existing

Enhanced

The Kennedy Library and its grand staircase with flanking ramps is the western terminus of the Arevalo Student Mall. A low wall with “Eastern Washington University” is the eastern terminus. This low wall is separated from the mall by a sunken seating area with concrete steps. The mall is a tremendous space for student gatherings throughout the year with opportunities to set up tables and tents for education and outreach. Description: The Kennedy Library staircase is in need of structural and accessibility renovations. These renovations are in preliminary design and could incorporate improvements to the art streams’ mechanical systems.

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> Enhancement Strategy: The renovation of the staircase should incorporate a sculpture or EWU environmental art that appropriately addresses the eastern terminus wall. This feature, properly integrated into the stream can reinforce the mall’s sense of place and EWU’s brand. > An opportunity for students to celebrate achievements around an iconic EWU image would be an accessible and recognized ‘Instagram moment’. Renovation of the landscape around

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05.H Prairie Restoration Project

Existing

Enhanced

EWU’s Prairie Restoration project is a one of kind, ambitious project that will dedicate a third of the campus land and resources for students to actively participate in a real-world, multidisciplinary project designed to restore a threatened ecosystem in our region. This major sustainability initiative will restore 120 acres of campus land to its native prairie habitat. In addition to giving students countless learning and research opportunities, the project benefits the environment for the entire region.

Enhancement Strategies: > Research. > Strategic prairie planting consistent with research goals and maintenance support. > Weed control. > Local seed and plant development.

Developed in cooperation with representatives from area Native communities, this project will create a model for boosting regional biodiversity while establishing an educational and recreational space that connects visitors to a long-lost landscape.

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A LO O K A H E A D

The EWU campus will continue to evolve as new projects are designed and maintenance initiatives are implemented, so too is this planning framework intended to evolve over time and experience. As a framework that looks ahead to a more sustainable campus in the ten-year and thirty-year horizons, it leaves the door open to multiple possible directions for the future, including taking advantage of new strategies and emerging technologies. This planning framework provides enough guidance to inform decision making in the near term.

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Eastern Washington University 526 5th Street Cheney, WA 99004 www.ewu.edu

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Eastern Washington University | Climate Resiliency Landscape Master Plan