No Grass, No Problem: Caltech to Replace Turf on Campus with Native Vegetation
The browned-out strips of grass along South Wilson Avenue are not neglected. They are the opening move of a multiyear Caltech Facilities project to retire nearly 100,000 square feet of nonfunctional turf and replace it with landscapes built for southern California's climate.
"In the coming months, those spaces will be transformed with more trees, native vegetation, and natural features," says Maximilian Christman, assistant director of sustainability in Facilities Operations and Services.
Grass turf does not grow natively in southern California. It arrives as pre-grown sod and must be irrigated throughout the dry season, which can stretch from April to October. Caltech uses millions of gallons of water annually to keep its lawns and greens alive, and that irrigation accounts for nearly 10% of total campus water use.
Caltech's Sustainability Advisory Council has flagged irrigation as one of the easiest categories in which to cut water consumption, and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) is providing further motivation for the turf-replacement program by reimbursing $4 per square foot, which covers the bulk of the conversion cost. MWD's program requires a quick turnaround, so natural herbicides were utilized to expedite grass removal. Other locations across campus are queued for the same treatment. These conversions will save about 2 million gallons of water per year once complete.
For Caltech, the rationale for this initiative extends beyond water, says Delmy Emerson, director of Buildings and Grounds. "I believe that removing nonfunctional turf and integrating drought-adapted and native plants that are reflective of our area will increase the diversity of plant species, will support wildlife and pollinators, and will reduce the time needed to keep the campus looking good," Emerson explains. "The campus grounds aesthetics is a strategic asset used to attract students, faculty, and staff."
The replacement landscapes will feature drought-tolerant and climate-adapted plants, swales to capture rainwater, low-fire-rating species, and an expanded tree canopy—designs intended for low maintenance once established. The deliberate selection of low-fire-rating plant species also positions the campus to better withstand the wildfire threats increasingly common across the region. Dry, unirrigated turf and grass are among the most fire-prone ground covers in southern California. The transition to fire-resistant native plantings is a meaningful step in efforts to improve campus safety and climate resilience.
The replacement project is set to be completed by the end of 2026. The water savings are modest relative to Caltech's overall footprint, but the project is meant to read as a visible commitment: A campus landscape that works with the local ecology rather than against it.
Campus locations included in the turf replacement project. Areas marked 'Application 4' are not currently part of the project (as of article publication).