Grounds
Introduction
Beautiful and welcoming campus grounds can be planned, planted, and maintained in any region while minimizing the use of toxic chemicals, protecting wildlife habitat, and conserving resources.
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BEE / HOUSE / LAB International Design Competition: Provding habitat for urban bees
- University of Manitoba (MB)
BEE / HOUSE / LAB: An International Design competition at the University of Manitoba that resulted in innovative bee houses built, installed around campus and used for research. The reason …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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‘The Biophilic University’: a de-familiarizing organizational metaphor for ecological sustainability?
- Oberlin College (OH)
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
A new primary, root metaphor the ‘Biophilic University’, is introduced here, underpinning a potential de-familiarizing human-nature narrative and heuristic to contest and break free of what is conceptualised as the …
- Posted Nov. 14, 2016
- Publications
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SUNY Cortland Grounds Initiatives
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
Located on the edge of a sensitive aquifer, SUNY Cortland’s Student Life Center uses bio-swales, strategically planted native vegetation and permeable pavement to control storm runoff. The campus maintains an …
- Posted Oct. 2, 2016
- Photographs
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Goats Eating Ivy
- Oregon State University (OR)
A large herd of goats relaxing on a hillside eating ivy.
- Posted Sept. 16, 2016
- Photographs
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Newark Road Prairie-Beloit College
- Beloit College (WI)
Newark Road Prairie is owned by Beloit College and was designated a State Natural Area in 1974. It is the largest known wet-mesic prairie in Rock county. A moisture gradient …
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
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Muhlenberg College Water Conservation Native Plants
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
Muhlenberg College has a living learning experience for undergraduate students at the Treehouse. Here, students manage the permculture garden and community vegetable garden which includes a rainwater collection system. The …
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
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Chatham University Grounds and Eden Hall Campus
- Chatham University (PA)
Building on the legacy of alum Rachel Carson (‘29), Chatham University has practiced a pest management plan since 2000 that bans chemical pesticides on all campus grounds and actively preserves …
- Posted Sept. 13, 2016
- Photographs
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Water is a priority at Wellesley College
- Wellesley College (MA)
Photo shows the importance of water at Wellesley College. We have our own wells and water treatment facility for potable water. The college is also located within the Charles River …
- Posted Sept. 13, 2016
- Photographs
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Draft Horses on the Farm
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Production Gwilym Walker ' 17 drives draft horses on the college farm.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Timber Frame Bike Shelter
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Renewable Energy & Ecological Design Major (REED) Adam Zais '16 building a Timber Frame bike shelter on campus.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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University of Minnesota Living Lab
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Campus grounds are more than a a backdrop at the University of Minnesota. Our Living Laboratories have transformed otherwise un-programmed areas into outdoor spaces for innovation, testing, demonstration, and learning. …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Waste Minimization at Mohawk College
- Mohawk College (ON)
Mohawk College campuses feature two-stream waste receptacles throughout grounds and outdoor spaces to encourage recycling.
Mohawk College’s pan-campus electronic waste and battery recycling program collects tens of thousands of pounds …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Pack Forest at UW
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
Pack Forest is a working forest and owned by the University of Washington. Located outside of Eatonville, Wash., the University of Washington’s Pack Forest began with the purchase of 334 …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Working with vegetables, mulch and compost at the Guilford College Farm
- Guilford College (NC)
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Solar field and rooftop installations at the David Ames Clock Farm at Stonehill College
- Stonehill College (MA)
The 15 acre solar field and two rooftop installations include 9,625 panels with a combined production of 3.384 million kWh per year, which covers 20% of Stonehill’s annual electrical consumption.
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Tapping campus maple trees
- Babson College (MA)
Students, faculty, and staff working together to tap campus maple trees to make maple syrup.
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Learning our campus trees
- Babson College (MA)
Ecology course studying trees on campus
- Posted Sept. 9, 2016
- Photographs
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Alfond Draft Horse Barn at Sterling College
- Sterling College (VT) (VT)
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
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Indiana State: Green Infrastructure for Water
- Indiana State University (IN)
Combined Sewer Overflows are a big problem for post-industrial towns like Terre Haute, Indiana, and as Indiana State University provides one of the largest concentrations of users of impervious surfaces …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
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CSUN's Saves 55 Million Gallons per Year Through Various Water Conservation Efforts
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
In an effort to meet the State of California's mandated water conservation targets, California State University, Northridge has made significant strides in reducing water use through irrigation improvements and innovations. …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
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Parkerson Mill Creek restoration after one growing season
- Auburn University (AL)
This is Parkerson Mill Creek one growing season after completion of the stream restoration project.
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
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UOIT Borehole Thermal Energy Storage System
- Ontario Tech University (ON)
Located underneath the Campus Polonsky Commons shown here is the second largest geothermal well system in North America. The system serves all north campus buildings and is made up of …
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
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University of Manitoba BEE / HOUSE / LAB Open International Design Competition
- University of Manitoba (MB)
BEE / HOUSE / LAB is an international design competition hosted by the University of Manitoba and open to students and designers in the field of environmental design, architecture, landscape …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2016
- Photographs
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BS in Sustainable Horticulture
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
The Sustainable Horticulture Bachelor of Science degree is designed to provide students science-based education which can be applied in a wide variety of careers in landscape plant production and use …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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AS in Sustainable Horticulture
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Students are prepared for careers in greenhouse crop production, nursery crop production, and horticulture opportunities at parks, recreational areas, tourist attractions, and historic sites. Sustainable and environmentally sound methods of …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Permaculture Design Certificate
- Oregon State University (OR)
Students develop a sustainable landscape using permaculture methods through this online, instructor-led certificate program offered by Professional and Continuing Education at Oregon State University. All students complete regenerative landscape projects …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Permaculture Design Certificate
- Gateway Technical College (WI)
This course will teach participants techniques to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and will increase the long-term sustainability of their homes and communities. Students will learn ecological principles needed to …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Certificate in Holistic Landscape Design
- Bastyr University (WA)
Bastyr's Certificate in Holistic Landscape Design offers training for those who want to build upon their knowledge of medicinal and edible plants and apply that expertise by developing sustainable landscapes. …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Permaculture Design: Practicum
- Cornell University (NY)
This 4.5-week online course provides an opportunity for students to build their knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Participants will explore the content through videos, readings, and activities and complete …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Permaculture Design: Ecosystem Mimicry
- Cornell University (NY)
This 6.5-week online course provides an opportunity for students to build their knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Participants will explore the content through videos, readings, and activities and complete …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Permaculture: Fundamentals of Ecological Design
- Cornell University (NY)
This 6.5-week online course provides an opportunity for students to build their knowledge about permaculture and ecological design. Participants will explore the content through videos, readings, and activities and complete …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Noncredit Certificate in Permaculture Design
- University of Richmond (VA)
The University of Richmond and the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute have partnered to offer the only Permaculture Design Certificate program in the Richmond Region. Through 72-hours of workshops over four weekends, …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Campus Environmental Resource Center (CampusERC)
- APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities (VA)
- Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence (MA)
- National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) (DC)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
- Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (IN)
The Campus Environmental Resource Center - CampusERC - is a library of resources to support campus environmental performance improvement. Developed collaboratively by NACUBO, C2E2, CSHEMA, APPA and the EPA, the …
- Posted July 21, 2016
- Tools
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Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program
- Audubon International (NY)
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) is an education and certification program that helps organizations and businesses protect the environment while enhancing their bottom line. The “plan-do-check-act” approach of the …
- Posted July 15, 2016
- Tools
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Middlebury College's Innovative Land Conservation and Financing Project
- Middlebury College (VT)
In 1915, a visionary Vermont environmentalist bequeathed to Middlebury College a large tract of land, located 12 miles from the main campus, part of which became home to the College’s …
- Posted June 11, 2016
- Case Studies
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Facilities and students working together for water conservation
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
The University of Texas at Austin’s facilities management initiated a comprehensive program in fall 2007 to develop and implement demand-side water conservation measures. During this project it was determined that …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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BEE / HOUSE / LAB International Design Competition
- University of Manitoba (MB)
BEE / HOUSE / LAB is an international design competition hosted by the University of Manitoba and open to students and designers in the field of environmental design, architecture, landscape …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
- View more
Duke Water Reclamation Pond
- Duke University (NC)
After a severe drought in 2007, Duke spearheaded water reclamation projects across campus. The 5.5 acre reclamation pond collects storm water from 22% of Duke's main campus, over 265 acres. …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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Emory University's Pollinator Protection Program
- Emory University (GA)
Concerned about the plight of bees and other pollinators, essential for two-thirds of the food crops we eat every day, Emory University developed a comprehensive Pollinator Protection Commitment, which includes …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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UTRGV Campus Tree Care Report: Proposal for sustaining a healthy and vibrant campus community forest
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
The benefits the forest will provide are myriad. Large trees give us a sense of place and belonging by ensuring landmarks for the future, and add aesthetic beauty to the …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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CSUN's Approach to Water Conservation Through an Irrigation System Upgrade
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
California State University, Northridge is located in Southern California, an arid region that has been in a drought for several years. With the drought conditions continuing all Californians have been …
- Posted June 6, 2016
- Case Studies
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Map More, Waste Less: A Study in How GIS Helps Texas A&M Prevent Waste
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Introduction:
During the Spring of 2016, the Texas A&M Geography Society, a student organization that performs undergraduate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) research, set out to help SSC Services for Education …
- Posted June 6, 2016
- Publications
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UNT Community Garden
- University of North Texas (TX)
University of North Texas' first on-campus community garden is in the final stages of planning, with construction begining this fall, in a vacant lot next to the Legends hall, just …
- Posted June 3, 2016
- Case Studies
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American Chestnut Partnership
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
Unity College has partnered with the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to help restore the iconic American Chestnut in Maine.
- Posted June 2, 2016
- Case Studies
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Campus greenhouse for local and sustainable tropical food production and education at Bellairs Research Institute
- McGill University (QC)
The Bellairs facility is located at Folkestone, Barbados. It hosts many students and scientists from McGill and around the world for field courses, workshops and research projects. This project's goal …
- Posted June 2, 2016
- Case Studies
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Creating Tree Ambassadors: Fostering a campus culture of sustainbility through urban trees
- University of Kentucky (KY)
Urban trees contribute substantially to ecological, economic, and social sustainability, but are often overlooked both as a method to achieve greater sustainability and as a vehicle for engagement in sustainability …
- Posted May 31, 2016
- Case Studies
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Community Garden 2.0 – transcending silos on campus and in the community
- Northern Kentucky University (KY)
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) has joined forces with local stakeholders to create a network of community gardens on campus and within the surrounding community. The network is comprised of fifty …
- Posted May 26, 2016
- Case Studies
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Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
- Sterling College (VT) (VT)
Recognizing that building a healthy and just food system is among the most critical challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, the Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food …
- Posted May 20, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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UC San Diego Earth Day: Annual Sustainability Fair & Tree Planting
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
UC San Diego celebrated Earth Day with student organizations, campus departments and vendors at their annual sustainability fair. Tablers included: AQUAholics, ASEJA, CALPIRG, Dr. Bronner, EcoGrounds, EcoNauts, EWS, Green Office …
- Posted May 6, 2016
- Photographs
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
OP 9: Landscape Management
- Percent of grounds managed organically
- Description of the organic landscape management program
- Percent of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program
- Description of the IPM program
- Website URL - Sustainable landscaping
OP 10: Biodiversity
- Description of legally protected areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and regions of conservation importance
- List of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution
- Description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution
- Website URL - Biodiversity initiatives
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.