In an effort to promote sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions, Willamette University has decided to enlist the help of some furry friends to take care of the lawn on its Salem campus. That's right, llamas!
Starting next month, a team of specially trained llamas will be brought in to graze the lawns and keep the grass at the perfect height. The llamas will be managed by a team of professional llama herders, who will ensure that they are well taken care of and properly fed.
"We are excited to be taking this step towards a more eco-friendly campus," said Jim Andersen, Willamette’s Grounds Manager. "Not only will the llamas help us to reduce our carbon footprint, but they are also a charming addition to our community."
Students and faculty alike are already buzzing with excitement about the new addition to campus. "I can't wait to see the llamas in action," said Civic Communication and Media major and Student Ambassador, Emily Huynh BA’25. "It's such a cool idea, and it really shows that Willamette is committed to sustainability."
In addition to being environmentally friendly, the llama grazing initiative ties into Willamette’s strategic plan and will save the university money on lawn maintenance. "We estimate that we will save thousands of dollars each year by using llamas instead of traditional lawn mowers," said Megan Mannenbach, Director of Budgets.
While there are currently no plans to extend the llama program to PNCA, Portland city officials have shown interest in exploring similar creative sustainable landscaping solutions around the 511 building.
But wait, there's more! To celebrate this exciting announcement, we have a special surprise for our readers. Click on this link to see the llamas in action.
We hope you enjoyed this article and the surprise at the end. Welcome back and happy April Fool's Day!
