Adam Carlisle, turf landscape crew supervisor, and John Zimmerman, groundskeeper, are instrumental to the success of Mulch Madness.
Notre Dame Landscape Services crew members have been major contributors to the success of Mulch Madness, an event aimed at the prevention of lead poisoning, for four years. Adam Carlisle, turf landscape crew supervisor, and John Zimmerman, groundskeeper, volunteered their time on Saturday, April 2, this year to ensure the success of Mulch Madness, part of Back the Bend, an annual day of service and outreach.
In preparation, Carlisle and Zimmerman loaded, transported and dumped about 90 cubic yards (10 truckloads) of mulch from the South Bend Organic Resources Facility to various sites around South Bend, according to Marya Lieberman, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and member of the ND Lead Innovation Team.
This year’s event was the largest in its history, with approximately 300 volunteers — students, faculty and staff — who spread mulch around homes with exposed soil to help prevent lead exposure. Even with so many volunteers, the key to success was with the landscaping crew.
“We couldn’t do this event without the heavy trucks and the drivers who do the bulk transport of the mulch,” said Lieberman.
Originally published by at ndworks.nd.edu on April 12, 2022.