• Arb Notes for Oct. 16th: Vitis riparia!

    Vitis riparia! Though the name might be unfamiliar to some of you, the sight of this plant is quite a common thing in the arb. Better known as frost grape, or riverside grape, this ubiquitous vine is just dripping with fruit this time of year.  And it’s edible!  John Vigeland breaks down how to create a successful jam from its berries.

  • Compost

    Carleton Expands Compost Program

    This week, the Carleton Facilities Department provided biodegradable bags to more than 100 students living off-board in Northfield, ensuring that the entire Carleton College campus can now compost. Students living in Northfield (“Northfield Option Students”) stopped by the Sayles Campus Center Monday through Wednesday to pick up a box of compostable bags for their respective houses. Approximately 50 houses in Northfield received boxes. Students will fill their bags at home and bring the bags to campus to drop in compost bins located around campus. These bins are currently set up for Interest Houses, but will be now be available to a wider range of students. SOPE (Students Organized to Protect the Environment) maintains these bins every few weeks by turning the piles and adding leaves. When these bins are full, Facilities carts the waste to a larger pile located by a Facilities warehouse. The compost generated here is then used by Facilities for landscaping projects, among other things.

    This system, although effective, will not be in use for long. Carleton College recently received a grant for $10,000 to purchase an Earth Tub, a large compost tub, to replace the Facilities pile. The tub will be located on sight and serve as an educational tool for the college and surrounding community. It is expected to arrive by the end of the Academic year at the latest.