Home > Employees in the Spotlight > Matt Kibby
Matt Kibby
Stony Brook’s Landscape Manager
As part of our effort to highlight the extraordinary work of the Facilities and Services staff we are pleased to profile Landscape Manager, Matt Kibby. Matt has been at Stony Brook for three years and holds a B.S. in Horticulture from the University of Connecticut. Prior to serving at Stony Brook Matt was responsible for the plantings at Tavern on the Green, in Manhattan, and worked at the Bronx Zoo setting up plantings for various exhibits.
Matt works directly with public garden designers and landscape contractors to design, install and maintain the grounds and landscaping at Stony Brook. Some examples include: Main Campus entrance; Administration Circle; 911 Memorial; Humanities; Javits; and Student Activities Center plantings. In addition to his work at main campus Matt has managed the landscape design at Stony Brook Southampton. In order to support the Southampton mission of a sustainable campus grounds, Matt has developed a comprehensive plan for the exclusive use of organic planting and weed control methods including the application of corn gluten as a pre-emergent herbicide on the sports fields. His projects there include an organic greenhouse - heated with a stove, fueled by pellets made from lumber byproducts – that is used to grow annuals for campus plantings. Matt also created Stony Brook’s “Two for One” tree replacement program. When it is necessary to remove a tree on campus two trees are planted elsewhere in replacement.
In his first year at Stony Brook, Matt purchased all the annuals used for planting on campus. Last year he grew 50% of those annuals in a rented space at the Life Sciences Teaching Greenhouse. This year they grew most of the annuals, over 1700 plants, used at various locations around campus. He is currently overseeing the construction of a new greenhouse at the Research and Development Park, which will use passive solar heating and recycled rainwater. Growing these annuals “in house” has allowed Matt to recycle many of the materials in his inventory, save energy, and greatly reduce the costs posed by having to purchase annuals from off campus nurseries.
Matt also oversees all aspects of landscaping and grounds maintenance at the Research and Development Park and several off campus sites. Since joining the Stony Brook community he has been involved in the planning and implementation of environmental themed campus events like Fall Pride and Earthstock. He is presently working with the Campus Senate Environment Committee on planning a campus reforestation project to include planting 100 native trees such as American Holly, Native Oak and Dogwoods.
We look forward to introducing you to other employees on this site and providing more information on the work being done in all areas of Facilities and Services.
|
|
|
|
|
