Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A 3.5 acre lawn at the University of Northern Colorado now offers students more places to gather while using far less drinking water.
The Greeley campus replaced much of the lightly used Kentucky bluegrass with water-wise landscaping, efficient irrigation, shaded seating, a hammock garden, and a sidewalk connecting the university more directly with the surrounding community. The redesigned landscape is projected to save around 2 million gallons annually.
Students helped determine what would replace the grass. During a sustainability class and community event, they marked up maps with ideas ranging from volleyball courts and wildflowers to dog parks and gathering spaces.
Chris Bowers, UNC’s Energy and Sustainability Manager, says the completed project shows that water conservation does not have to mean taking something away.
The next generation already understands that a landscape should match its climate—and work for the people who use it.
Episode at youtu.be/f3vx3ktOIQI?si=xzHvV6k5EV4W99a_
This video is from Resilience In The Rockies, a series produced by waterloop in collaboration with WaterNow, supported by a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and sponsored by PCL Construction, Norris Design, Merrick, and the City of Greeley.
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit waterloop.org
Subscribe to catch every video: youtube.com/@waterloop
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to waterloop:
🎧 Spotify:bit.ly/waterloopSpotify
🎧 Apple Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopApple
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Follow waterloop for more stories on water sustainability:
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#colorado #waterconservation #landscaping #sustainability #greeley
A 3.5 acre lawn at the University of Northern Colorado now offers students more places to gather while using far less drinking water.
The Greeley campus replaced much of the lightly used Kentucky bluegrass with water-wise landscaping, efficient irrigation, shaded seating, a hammock garden, and a sidewalk connecting the university more directly with the surrounding community. The redesigned landscape is projected to save around 2 million gallons annually.
Students helped determine what would replace the grass. During a sustainability class and community event, they marked up maps with ideas ranging from volleyball courts and wildflowers to dog parks and gathering spaces.
Chris Bowers, UNC’s Energy and Sustainability Manager, says the completed project shows that water conservation does not have to mean taking something away.
The next generation already understands that a landscape should match its climate—and work for the people who use it.
Episode at youtu.be/f3vx3ktOIQI?si=xzHvV6k5EV4W99a_
This video is from Resilience In The Rockies, a series produced by waterloop in collaboration with WaterNow, supported by a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and sponsored by PCL Construction, Norris Design, Merrick, and the City of Greeley.
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit waterloop.org
Subscribe to catch every video: youtube.com/@waterloop
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to waterloop:
🎧 Spotify:bit.ly/waterloopSpotify
🎧 Apple Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopApple
🎧 YouTube Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopYouTubePod
Follow waterloop for more stories on water sustainability:
🔹 Instagram:instagram.com/the_waterloop
🔹 LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/thewaterloop
#colorado #waterconservation #landscaping #sustainability #greeley
