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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
The Gibbs Farm: A Permaculture Learning Lab
- Western Michigan University (MI)
The Gibbs Farm is a 2-acre historic homestead currently undergoing a landscape reimagining to create an engaging environment for students, staff, and the greater community. Students with diverse backgrounds and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Learning Gardens: A Platform for Sustainability Education
- Appalachian State University (NC)
How can learning gardens be used as a platform to teach sustainability principles? This session will introduce an adaptable framework that uses a three-dimensional living model to clearly communicate the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Gardens in the City: New Paradigms for Urban Community & Campus Gardens
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
While urban community gardens and campus farms are not a new concept, at Carnegie Mellon we are pioneering our own avenues for food production, health and wellness and community engagement …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Should Higher Education Go Carbon Neutral?: A Look at Forest Carbon
- Clarkson University (NY)
Nearly 700 signatories to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have voluntarily committed to taking measurable steps towards climate neutrality. For a college or university to achieve …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How to Justify the Cost of a Compost Facility for your Campus and/or Community
- Xavier University (OH)
Appalachian State University began an in-house composting program on campus in 1999, and built a state-of-the-art positive forced aeration facility to expand composting opportunities, which opened in October 2011. This …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Encouraging the Design and Development of High Performance Landscapes with the SITES Rating System
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
As the world’s population grows, so too does the pace of urbanization and development. What is built on the land profoundly impacts ecological systems as well as the health, safety, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Cultivating community and sustainability at the Learning Gardens Lab
- Portland State University (OR)
Learning gardens serve as rich sustainability learning sites due to their ecological and sociocultural benefits, and provide a hands-on way for learners of all ages to engage in interconnected issues …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus Composting
- Southwestern University (TX)
Southwestern University students led a composting initiative in Fall 2011 which has evolved into a campus wide program which has made a significant impact on the community and University. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Improving the Efficiency of Land Management Agencies with the use of Sustainability Assessments
- Black Hills State University (SD)
The ability to assess the sustainability of an organization is becoming increasingly important for organizations across the globe. The tools developed for this task are as diverse as the organizations …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing Space: Community Areas that Engage
- Evergreen State College, The (WA)
Over the course of the 2013-2014 school year, my department has taken on the remodel of the courtyard in our Freshman dorm area. As the design evolves, there are an …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Incorporating Reuse Water and On-Site Storm Water Management
- Georgia Southern University (GA)
As a major regional university located in the southeast, this presentation will focus on sustainable techniques used to address both drought and storm water management issues. Be it climate change …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Trinity Tracks
- Southern Methodist University (TX)
The Great Trinity Forest runs along the Trinity River through downtown Dallas and constitutes one of the largest urban forests in North America. This 6,000 acre swathe of vegetated, undeveloped …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Natural Dye Campus Garden: Art and Permaculture
- University of North Texas (TX)
Funded by the environmental services fee, the University of North Texas Natural Dye Garden is a student initiated project in the College of Visual Arts and Design. Inspired by a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Willamette University’s Zena Forest & Farm: Serving Sustainability Plus Broader Institutional Goals
- Willamette University (OR)
As more liberal arts institutions establish and acquire nearby farms and undeveloped properties for sustainability education and programming, it is of increasing importance to critically examine these decisions and see …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building a Permaculture Garden with Community
- Xavier University (OH)
Building a permaculture garden with community members, students, faculty and local farmers, has been an exhilarating experience. It started with an alumni neighbor asking if she could work on a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus Community Garden Completed its First Successful Harvest
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
After their first successful harvest, members of the UAF Campus Community Garden are looking forward to new opportunities next season. After being conceived last spring, gardening enthusiasts constructed a working, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Campuses: Integrating Sustainability into Your Institution
- Audubon International (NY)
Audubon International (AI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to delivering high-quality environmental education and using incentive-based approaches to implement sustainable natural resource management in all places people live, work, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Documenting the Evolution of a Student Garden: How LOGIC Grows Campus Sustainability
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL)
This poster examines the evolution of a student organic garden at a large public university, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as an example of student initiatives that focus on sustainability education …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
From the Ground Up: Promoting Sustainable Campus Landscapes
- Denison University (OH)
- Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
- University of Louisville (KY)
- Arbor Day Foundation (NE)
This panel explores the benefits of sustainable campus landscapes and how to build long-lasting support for them by publicizing your initiatives, educating and engaging others, and earning recognition locally and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Implementing a Sustainable Post-Consumer Composting Program for a Large Campus Community
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
- Aramark (PA)
At most universities food service operations generate a substantial amount of waste.
At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), the university recycling program, UT Recycling, and the Dining Service Company, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Managing Campus Forests to Meet Carbon Neutrality Goals at Colgate University
- Colgate University (NY)
Deforestation, land use changes and poor land management practices are major contributors to global climate change. Alternatively, sustainable forest management and conservation of open lands must be an important part …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Campus Landscape: Turning Site Problems into Green Infrastructure Solutions
- South Dakota State University (SD)
In the fall of 2012 our faculty and student design team submitted a plan for the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Rainworks Challenge. Teams were invited to create an …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Nanook Grown Garden Supports Sustainability Efforts on Campus
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
Growing and eating “Alaskan Grown” has become a priority on the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF) campus. Facilities Services and the Office of Sustainability planted a vegetable garden outside the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Warren Wilson College Campus Tree Inventory and Carbon Sequestration/Storage Analysis
- Warren Wilson College (NC)
In a partnership with the North Carolina Forest Service Warren Wilson College Landscaping Crew students and staff conducted an assessment of the vegetation composition, function, and value of the urban …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Partnership: Nurturing Community in a Garden Setting
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
In the last few years, school gardening projects have sprouted across the country. School gardens influence improved eating behaviors in children, specifically, increased fruit and vegetable consumption. In addition, school …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Arbor Day Tree Campus USA Workshop and Tree Planting Service Event
- Arbor Day Foundation (NE)
In this workshop, presented by the Arbor Day Foundation, attendees will learn to take their campus trees to the next level and participate in our tree-planting community service event. First, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Engaging the Campus Community in Green Landscaping: A Case Study
- Life University (GA)
This case study details the steps we took to revise our landscaping plan after our University was faced with lots of negative press on social media when a landscaper with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sprouting (Literally!) Engagement in Sustainability in the Undergraduate Curriculum: the “Heritage Garden Project” in Beginning German at Luther College
- Luther College (IA)
The students know that Diane is coming to tell a special story on cold February morning. To their surprise, as she appears, however, she opens a little package and empties …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Making College and University Green Space More Resilient to Climate Change – Gardens, Landscaping, Habitat Restoration, and More
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
Colleges and universities are more than a collection of buildings and paved roads. Many campuses have a tree-lined quad or other park-like areas. Wilder corners on campus protect wetlands, woods …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How Colleges and Universities Can Use Their Forested Holdings for Carbon Offsets and Other Sustainability Opportunities
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
Forests are indisputably essential to the health of the planet, yet globally face intense pressure. They not only provide everyday products such as timber and paper, but also other critical …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Smart Sustainable Landscape at Duke University
- Duke University (NC)
The Duke Smart Home has participated in the new Sustainable SITES Initiative pilot program and created a new garden and landscape on the Duke central campus which includes water management, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Guide to Getting Your Hands Dirty: How Campus Green Spaces Promote Real World Problem Solving
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Green spaces on campus create opportunities for direct, participatory, interdisciplinary learning. They can include student gardens, campus garden-boxes, native landscape installations, greenhouses and even indoor displays. A number of student-led …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating a Learning Environment With Storm Water Management
- Delta College (MI)
Utilizing the physical campus environment can create an engaging experience for teaching and learning and can serve as an invitation for community partnership and participation. With Federal government placing more …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Permaculture Gardens at UMass Amherst: A Case Study of Sustainable Edible Landscaping
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Over 1000 different individuals have been involved in planting over 1500 fruit trees, nut trees, berry bushes, flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs and perennial vegetables on the UMass Amherst campus. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Climate Change, Agriculture, and Rural Communities: The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership
- Kansas State University (KS)
The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership is a National Science Foundation funded collaboration between Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to develop climate change education programs for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Georgia Tech's Innovative Landscape Master Plan...Is A Living Learning Laboratory
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
While most universities have a Campus Master Plan, very few have a Landscape Master Plan. Fewer have a Cistern Master Plan. Learn how to think beyond a traditional Campus Master …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Managing a Global Resource: Campus Water Management Practices
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is located approximately 2 miles from Lake Michigan, one of the six Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are the largest surface freshwater system …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Grounds Practices in a Northern Climate: Three Minnesota Campuses Share Their Experiences
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- Macalester College (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
Experienced sustainability coordinators from three institutions in Minnesota will share their varied experiences working to create a more sustainable landscape at their individual campus. Macalester College completed a Sustainable Landscape …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Design and Implementation of Outdoor Learning Environments
- Judson University (IL)
Investing in our future, we will teach environmental advocacy through immersion in our campus outdoor learning environments. When present in nature all senses are stimulated, which is the optimum state …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Site Initiatives: Incorporating Reuse Water and On-Site Storm Water Management Techniques
- Georgia Southern University (GA)
As a major regional university located in the southeast, this presentation will focus on sustainable techniques used to address both drought and storm water management issues. Be it climate change …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Water, Waste and Landscaping:How Old Dominion University Facilities Management Manages and Practices Sustainability
- Old Dominion University (VA)
The main goal for my presentation is to share information with attendees on how Old Dominion University Facilities Management manages water, waste and landscaping into our sustainability efforts. ODU made …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Community Gardens Engage Students to Serve as a Bridge between University and Community
- Antioch University Midwest (OH)
Food security has been identified by the city of Keene, NH as an area of critical importance for community resiliency. Our city's efforts have been supported by a growing body …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Making Every Drop Count - Impact of Irrigation Retrofit at the U of Minnesota
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
In the spring and summer of 2012 our university is conducting a joint applied research project with The Toro Company to evaluate the impact of optimizing irrigation control systems and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Green Mapping of College Campuses
- Lewis & Clark College (OR)
Lewis & Clark College has recently made significant improvements in green infrastructure and sustainability services, and has seen improvements in the capacity to support student endeavors of sustainability. However, there …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Silent Killer Project: Student Engagement Across the Curriculum
- Frostburg State University (MD)
Frostburg State University's usual winter weather is characterized by high snow precipitation and low temperatures. Salt is used liberally on campus to melt snow and ice. Misuse of salt leads …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
In-Vessel Composting - From Farm to Kitchen to Compost, and Back to Farm
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Space on any campus is limited especially when you mention you want to compost food. In-vessel composting is a viable way to compost all your food while keeping odor under …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Seeing the Campus Through the Trees: Transforming Campus Sustainability Through the Tree Campus USA Program
- Denison University (OH)
Most everyone agrees that trees are an integral part of any college campus. Trees can be a common unifier among campus stakeholders and a springboard to promote campus sustainability initiatives. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building Trust with Agricultural and Rural Decision-Makers through Climate Change Education in the Rural U.S. Central Great Plains
- Kansas State University (KS)
The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership is developing climate education programming for agricultural producers, rural communities, and rural schools throughout Kansas and Nebraska. It is a National Science Foundation …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Innovating Parking; A Necessary Evil
- Lewis & Clark College (OR)
This session will describe recent efforts at Lewis & Clark College to design and build innovative and more environmentally friendly parking lots. While parking lots are often associated with all …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Growing Awareness: Moving Maine, Moving Planet
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
This short film explores the connections between local agriculture and climate change solutions. Produced by Unity College students, the documentary follows locally grown pumpkins through last year's 350.org "Moving Planet"" …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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.