Grounds

748 resources

A greenway for sustainable transportation of the university campus: Diyala University as a case study

  • University of Baghdad
  • University of Diyala

Transportation is one of the aspects that enable us to achieve sustainability on a university campus, by taking environmental, social, and economic requirements. Walking is a green mode that can ...


Arbor Day at Nova Southeastern University

  • Nova Southeastern University (FL)

In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, students, staff, faculty, and the University's President came together to celebrate the environment with a tree planting ceremony and educational table ...


The Land Use Changes in the Çukurova University Campus

  • Çukurova Üniversitesi
  • Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi
  • Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi

This study aimed to determine the land-use changes in the Cukurova University campus, providing ecosystem services to the city of Adana with its natural areas. Land uses of the study ...


Learning from the Dirt: Initiating university food gardens as a cross-disciplinary tertiary teaching tool

  • Macquarie University (NSW)

Food gardens are an underdeveloped resource for teaching and research in Australian universities. While some campuses have food or botanical gardens, outside the biological or physical sciences food growing is ...


Defining a Pedagogical Framework for Integrating Buildings and Landscapes in Conjunction with Social Sustainability Discourse in the Architecture Graduate Design Studio

  • Girne American University
  • Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design

The primary objective of this research is to define a pedagogy framework for architecture Graduate Design Studio. The proposed pedagogy framework pursues the following three principal objectives: The first objective ...


Assessment of the Ecological Footprint of Eskisehir Technical University–Iki Eylul Campus

  • Eskişehir Technical University
  • Kastamonu Universitesi

Sustainable development is a concept that has started gaining importance in recent years. It helps reduce the environmental impacts of cities with dense human populations. On a smaller scale, social ...


University gardens for sustainable citizenship: assessing the impacts of garden-based learning on environmental and food education at Spanish higher education

  • Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador
  • University of Valladolid

Gardens are being used at all educational stages, because they provide with a real-world context for active and experiential learning. In Spain, there exists a movement in favor of their ...


Landscapes as living laboratories for sustainable campus planning and stewardship: A scoping review of approaches and practices

  • California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)

Living laboratories are increasingly employed to support campus sustainability and student learning. This research explored how living labs are defined in relation to the biophysical landscape, how they are integrated ...


Promoting sustainability education through hands-on approaches: a tree carbon sequestration exercise in a Singapore green space

  • National University of Singapore
  • Maejo University

During a university class project related to climate change mitigation strategies, we utilized a university green space as a “living laboratory” for collaborative learning exercise to estimate landscape-level carbon biomass ...


UAlbany Earth Day clean up

  • University at Albany (NY)

On Earth Day, several organizations sponsored clean up and garden restorations throughout the day on campus and in the community.

  • Posted April 27, 2022
  • Photographs
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Nature Rx: Using Collaborations to Highlight and Harness the Healing Power of Nature

  • University of Kentucky (KY)
  • AASHE (PA)

Nature, even just a view of green space, is healing and restorative in many ways. Public and campus greenspaces represent preventative resources, available to all, that can help combat historic ...

  • Posted Feb. 3, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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How Students can Introduce Bee Campus USA to Their Schools

  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)

Learn the basics of how to start a Bee Campus USA committee and ready a Bee Campus USA application from start to finish, as well as prepare for the next ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Preparing Our Urban Forests for Our Changing Climate

  • Urban Forest Initiative (KY)

Urban forests are vital to mitigating the negative effects of climate change to urban residents. Urban trees help reduce storm-water runoff, cool cities, filter air and water pollutants, sequester carbon ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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TreeCATs (Collegiate Arborist Trainings): A Model for Campus Tree Engagement

  • University of Kentucky (KY)

The TreeCATs (Collegiate Arborist Training) workshops, facilitated by the UK Urban Forest Initiative (UFI), promote knowledge, insights, skills, and engagement for college students, emboldening them to take a more active ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Herbicide Free Campus: Re-Engaging Students With Their Environment

  • Re:wild Your Campus (TX)

Herbicide-Free Campus (HFC) envisions a toxin-free world created by student action. Founded by students, HFC empowers youth leaders to re-engage their campuses with creative outdoor work to end campus reliance ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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University Leadership: Elevating the Value of Outdoor Spaces Using the SITES® Rating System

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)
  • Green Business Certification Inc (DC)

Landscapes are an integral part of the built environment that provide a multitude of essential services such as flood control, improved water quality, climate regulation, pollination services and improved health ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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The Future Is Interdisciplinary: A Campus Farm Model

  • Grand Valley State University (MI)

This presentation will focus on the GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project, an interdisciplinary, four-acre, student operated farm. The mission of the SAP is to seed sustainable agriculture best practices, cultivate leadership ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Bee Campus USA Certification: Collective Efforts and Benefit-Cost Analysis

  • Louisiana State University (LA)

In recent decades several pollinator species such as bumble bees and monarch butterflies, among others, have experienced massive population declines in the US and other parts of the world, coinciding ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Earth Law and the Rights of Nature: A New Generation of Laws Built for Nature

  • City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (NY)
  • Environmental Education Fund (NJ)

Forget doom and gloom. Let's educate students about the Rights of Nature, an inspiring, evolving legal development which is gaining traction in the US and around the world, and ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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The Future of Life on Earth: A Case for Academia’s Role in Advancing Conservation and Biodiversity to Address Climate and Human Health

  • Harvard University (MA)
  • Stanford University (CA)
  • University of New Hampshire (NH)
  • Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (MA)

In a January 2021 executive order addressing the climate crisis, President Joe Biden committed the U.S. to an ambitious conservation goal: to protect 30 percent of U.S. land ...

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Saving the Campus Farm: One Approach to Leveraging Institutional Support for a Campus Farm Space

  • Butler University (IN)

Although there has been a dramatic increase in the number of campus farms in the past thirty year, most farms serve as co-curricular resources or have limited use in formal ...

  • Posted Jan. 13, 2022
  • Case Studies
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CSUF Celebrates Arbor Day With Tree Planting Ceremony

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

Cal State Fullerton, in cooperation with the City of Fullerton, celebrated Arbor Day by planting several trees throughout campus. The mayor, city council members and administrators from the City of ...


Biosequestration at the University of Michigan: A Report Developed for and Supported by the U-M President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality

  • University of Michigan (MI)

This report was compiled during the academic year of 2019-2020 for the University of Michigan (U-M) President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality by the Biosequestration Internal Analysis Team. The Biosequestration ...

  • Posted Nov. 17, 2021
  • Publications
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Biodiversity Assessment for Non-Biologists: Tools for Completing the STARS Credit

  • University of Dayton (OH)

Are you intimidated by the STARS Biodiversity Assessment credit? If so, you're not alone. Thirty percent of STARS reporters do not complete this credit. And yet biodiversity loss and ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Herbicide Free Campus: Transitioning Away From Synthetic Herbicides Use on School Campuses

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)
  • Re:wild Your Campus (TX)

Herbicide Free Campus is a student-founded organization that work directly with groundskeepers and school campuses to end campus reliance on synthetic herbicides. Modern science has proven time and time again ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Course on Landscaping with Native Plants for Benefit of Students and Campus Grounds

  • Eureka College (IL)

People in general are spending less time indoors and more time looking at screens, leaving them less active and less connected with nature. Students face struggles learning to balance a ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Goats, bees, and native species: A 'living' lab stream restoration experience

  • University of Richmond (VA)

The Gambles Mill Eco-Corridor revitalized 13 acres of campus at the University of Richmond. What began as a plan to upgrade a trail, turned into the creation of a vibrant ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Accessibility in Campus Green Spaces

  • University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)

This presentation will discuss the beneficial role UNC Asheville's urban green spaces play on campus, with a special focus on accessibility. When considering college enrollment, I was worried by ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Examining the Transition to a More Regenerative Growing System

  • Knox College (IL)

The Knox campus farm, established in 2014, has historically focused on vegetable production for our campus dining services. In the past year, our focus has shifted to more regenerative practices ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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New Ways to Love a Tree

  • Hope College (MI)

The tree outside your window is providing ecological, economic, and health benefits that most folks take for granted. As urban development continues to replace natural forests at a rapid pace ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Feeding the Campus Community & Beyond Through On-Site Agriculture

  • Green Building Initiative (OR)

On campus agriculture presents students, faculty and staff the opportunity to provide for their community as well as contribute to transitioning from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. As ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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A Living Lab Approach to Saving The Farm

  • Butler University (IN)

The Farm at Butler University has existed for 10 years without dedicated administrative funding. With no immediate funding support from the University planned, the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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The MycHotel: A novel mycelial building material used to augment solitary bee and wasp conservation

  • Central Community College (NE)

Rapidly declining bee populations have become increasingly common across the globe. Concerns are focused on European honey bees while North America's native pollinators are in peril. Solitary bees are ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Engaged Learning in the Landscape

  • Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)

Land grant institutions have historically used the campus landscape as a classroom and laboratory for teaching, research and outreach on agricultural topics. Contemporary challenges urged us to expand this model ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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UW-Stevens Point Organics Diversion Program

  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) has been actively managing its organics for decades. Over the past 10 years, UWSP has managed upwards of 140,000 pounds of organics per ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Creating Engaging and Equitable Outdoor Experiences for Students and Staff

  • North Carolina State University (NC)
  • Legrand North America, LLC (CA)

Outdoor spaces are transforming the way we live, learn, work and play. Aside from the many health benefits that being outdoors can bring, people want to be productive outside-and spaces ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Protect the Roots: Promoting Sustainability with Policy and Planning that Prioritizes Campus Trees

  • University of Kentucky (KY)
  • University of Louisville (KY)

As the popularity of programs like Tree Campus USA demonstrate, there is widespread agreement that trees provide tremendous value to our campuses across a broad spectrum of key campus metrics ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Campus Farmers and Growers Networking Meeting

  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)
  • University of Utah (UT)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

Join other campus farmers and food system advocates in creating a robust, interdisciplinary network of campus-based growers and partners at our second annual networking meeting. Find someone in your region ...

  • Posted Nov. 15, 2021
  • Conference Presentations
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Landscape Master Plan

  • California State University, Long Beach (CA)

This Landscape Master Plan provided for CSULB seeks to identify important aspects of the campus landscape and its systems and provide recommendation on how to preserve and enhance the campus ...


GIFT GRANT

  • University of Virginia (VA)

The GIFT (Green Initiatives Funding Tomorrow) Grant is funded by the Student Council’s Sustainability Committee with assistance from the Office of the Dean of Students. GIFT has provided tens ...

  • Posted Sept. 21, 2021
  • Green Funds
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Drains on the System

  • Macalester College (MN)

Macalester student volunteers stencil signs near storm drains in Saint Paul, Minn. to raise awareness about runoff pollution in the Mississippi River. This event was a collaboration between the Civic ...

  • Posted Sept. 20, 2021
  • Photographs
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Principia College students routinely participate in multidisciplinary internships that challenge them to develop solutions to complex problems, such as biodiversity loss.

  • Principia College (IL)

Truett Sparkman, an environmental studies major with a minor in sustainability at Principia College, has a passion for the management and conservation of complex ecosystems threatened by inadequate policy regimes ...


FGCU1

  • Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)

FGCU photo for 2021 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)


FGCU2

  • Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)

FGCU photos for 2021 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)


Bates College students working in the organic, no-till student garden.

  • Bates College (ME)

Bates College students working in the organic, no-till student garden.


Water Management at American University

  • American University (DC)

Submission for SCI 2021. Top performer in the "Water" area.


HEC Montréal

  • HEC Montréal (QC)

HEC Montréal CSC building is located in an urban area on the iconic Mont-Royal. Even if outdoor space is limited, we take great care of our green spaces by choosing ...


PCC Students Visit Portlandia Farmstandia

  • Portland Community College (OR)

Students shop for fresh veggies and honey harvested on campus while visiting Portland Community College's farm stand, also referred to as Portlandia Farmstandia. This photo was taken prior to ...


Farm Animals Among Solar Panels at PCC Rock Creek

  • Portland Community College (OR)

Talisman the guard llama and other farm animals graze between the solar panels at Portland Community College's Rock Creek campus.


Eric Champagne, Horticultural Supervisor for McGill’s Downtown Campus

  • McGill University (QC)

Eric Champagne, the Horticultural Supervisor for McGill’s Downtown Campus, has been indispensable since he joined the Grounds team in 2003. Through his work, a campus that was once filled ...

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

OP 10: Biodiversity

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Grounds Partners