The Colorado State University is known for its continuous initiatives to promote green practices The CSU's latest effort is to utilize environmental friendly, slow- and controlled-release fertilizers by Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT)in its landscapes to encourage green and sustainable living among students, colleagues and management.
"Agrium Advanced Technologies is a valued partner in helping CSU to become one of the world's leading universities for sustainable practices and environmental education," Dr. Tony Koski, professor and Extension Turf specialist, Colorado State University said in a press statement. "AAT has provided us with leading-edge fertilizer technology and expertise in agronomy and horticulture that strengthen our extensive landscape management and maintenance practices, as well as support our world-class research efforts."
AAT's eco-friendly fertilizer brands include Spread It & Forget It, Duration CR, Duration NPK, Polyon and XCU.
The organic fertilizers were sprayed on landscapes and turf grass on four sports fields, around CSU's newest residence hall community and the Academic Village.
These fertilizers reduce the amount of nitrogen used by 40 percent and grow healthier turf grass and ornamentals.
As a result, it leads to the use of less fertilizer applications to maintain greenery around the campus. These fertilizers in turn save labor and fuel costs for the University.
This is not the first initiative that CSU management has taken toward green living.
The Academic Village already incorporates several green practices such as an on-site thermal plant with solar panels and energy-efficient boilers for heating water.
Plus, Aspen Hall, CSU's residence hall is set to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S Green Building Council. LEED measures building sustainability and certifies how green your building is.
"AAT and CSU share a common organizational commitment to developing sustainable business practices, creating innovative technology and expanding green education efforts to enhance the world around us," said Andrew Mittag, President, Agrium Advanced Technologies. "This collaboration will help us to continue developing environmentally responsible, cost-efficient products that further our goal to build a greener future."
The fertilized areas are also functioning as demonstration and research areas for CSU's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
