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8. USJ Grasslands
A Living Laboratory
This story is part of a larger feature on President Rhona Free’s 10 years at USJ. To read more, click here.
When President Rhona Free arrived at the University of Saint Joseph in 2015, her passion for conservation quickly took root. Inspired to enrich the natural environment at USJ, she led the creation of a designated grassland habitat on the west side of the campus near the Connor Chapel. This expansive stretch of multi-colored grasses in varying heights provides essential space for reproduction, feeding, and other key life cycles of birds and local wildlife.
Protecting an area like this has become increasingly urgent. Over the past several decades, the disappearance of Connecticut’s grasslands has contributed to the decline of rare bird populations. At USJ that trend is being countered through responsible stewardship. With guidance from conservation organizations, the University’s facilities department manages the habitat through prescribed mowing in certain years and seasons, and a policy of no pesticides or herbicides—an environmental standard that Free has established for the entire campus.
Today, USJ’s grasslands stand as both a vital ecological sanctuary and a hub of academic exploration. They serve as a living laboratory for the biology department and the environmental science major, offering students direct experience with sustainability in action—and an important reminder of how purposeful leadership can create lasting impact.