Pomona College has made ambitious environmental commitments in its Sustainable Action Visible Effects (SAVE) plan, yet the gap between promise and progress continues to widen. Pomona College recently completed a $2.2 million transformation of Merritt Field, and despite the institution’s efforts to position itself as a pioneer of sustainability, this transformation is a symptom of misalignment between missions and action. While the college’s administration has celebrated the renovation, the decisions reflect a concerning pattern of environmental inconsistency, highlight the disconnect between sustainable action and policy and disregard broader ecological impacts.
Pomona College’s SAVE plan for “Buildings & Outdoor Venues” aims to “construct, operate and maintain efficient buildings and outdoor venues to “create healthy spaces and minimize environmental impact.” According to the 2024 SAVE Annual Report, while fertilizer use has been reduced by 59 percent since 2019, the college remains at 0 percent progress toward its goal of using 100% organic landscaping products. This year alone, a total of $9,511 has been spent on synthetic products, a purchase that poses tangible health risks to our community, including respiratory issues and potential endocrine disruption.
Pomona has decided to make a switch to synthetic grass despite mounting concerns that have led Los Angeles as the City Council’s Energy and Environment Committee to advance a proposal to ban synthetic grass citywide. The committee cites serious environmental and health concerns, focusing on the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other disease-causing “forever chemicals” in artificial turf. Artificial turf not only produces more abrasions and “turf burns” compared to natural grass fields but also exposes athletes to increased risk of heat-related illnesses with the surface reaching significantly higher temperatures than natural grass under the same conditions.
Proponents of turf argue that it eliminates irrigation needs and reduces water use. They also claim it eradicates the need for pesticides and fertilizers, preventing toxic runoff. However, these supposed benefits rely on a narrow prioritization of water conservation and obscure the bigger picture.
Artificial turf creates an ecological dead zone, restricting access to soil for essential organisms like burrowing insects and earthworms. It eliminates natural materials such as leaf litter and grass clippings that feed soil organisms and maintain soil health. Synthetic turf also contributes to global warming by absorbing significantly more radiation than real grass and displacing plants that could remove carbon dioxide.
Additionally, artificial turf may not be as economically superior as supporters claim. As case studies reveal, artificial turf demands periodic reinvestment, with replacement necessary every 7-8 years at costs approaching $800,000, compared to $1,800 per acre cost for natural grass.
These effects are exacerbated by the conventional lawn care practices employed throughout Pomona. This requires excessive water usage compared to native plant alternatives and simultaneously disrupts soil invertebrate populations and microbial communities essential for ecosystem health.
The investment in artificial turf and the use of synthetic pesticides to manage natural grass is particularly puzzling given the proven success of organic land care models, which have been effectively employed by other academic institutions across California and the country.
Organic land management is a science-backed approach focusing on soil health to create resilient landscapes with less pest pressure and lower costs. Practices that fall under this umbrella include aeration, overseeding, compost tea application and higher mowing heights.
Case studies conducted by Herbicide-Free Campus found that Harvard University’s transition to organic landscaping reduced irrigation needs by 30%, saving 2 million gallons of water annually. Their strategic investment in composting eliminated $35,000 in annual landscape waste removal costs while generating an additional $10,000 in yearly savings. Similarly, Willamette University’s transition to organic practices ultimately reduced its annual maintenance costs by $2,000.
This past fall, Re:wild Your Campus worked with the Claremont Sustainability Consulting Group to assess Pomona College’s current land care practices. As corroborated by the 2024 SAVE report, students found that the Grounds Department has made commendable efforts in water conservation, reducing irrigation frequency from daily to weekly with complete winter shutoffs.
Harmful pesticides like RoundUp have been eliminated on Pomona’s campus and a significant amount of underutilized turf has been converted into organically managed, non-lawn areas, which help to promote biodiversity. Nevertheless, it remains clear that there is still a lot to do before the college reaches its goals.
The college itself has previously indicated a capacity for environmental leadership through initiatives like native plant landscaping, as documented in a 2023 article from TSL. However, the continuation of conventional practices and long-lasting moves with negative impact, like the installation of the Merritt Field, illustrates an institutional priority for short-term solutions over long-term environmental responsibility.
While the transition to organic practices requires initial investment and patience during the adaptation period, evidence shows that sustainable land management ultimately yields both environmental and financial benefits. As climate change intensifies and environmental concerns increase, Pomona must reconcile its actions with its sustainability commitments.
Katie Cline PO ’25 is a PPA/EA major from Austin, TX. She spends most of her time thinking about environmental policy, political polarization and whether she can justify getting another coffee.
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