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 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 and coastal …
- 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 …
- Posted Dec. 9, 2021
- Photographs
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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 team …
- 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 habitat …
- 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 the …
- 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 often …
- 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 year, …
- 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 …
- Posted Oct. 6, 2021
- Publications
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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 of …
- 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. …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2021
- Photographs
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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.
- Posted Sept. 8, 2021
- Photographs
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Water Management at American University
- American University (DC)
Submission for SCI 2021. Top performer in the "Water" area.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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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 …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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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 March, …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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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.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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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 with …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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Monarch Nursery Program
- Dawson College (QC)
The flowers of the Dawson College Ecological Peace Garden and naturalized rooftops are part of a nectar corridor for monarchs flying over Montreal. College students and staff have been rearing …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2021
- Photographs
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The R'Garden
- University of California, Riverside (CA)
The R'Garden is a community garden at University of California, Riverside that is committed to increasing local food access in Riverside and emphasizing the importance of a sustainable food system. …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2021
- Photographs
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Alumni Memorial Hall within Randolph Hall, College of Charleston
- College of Charleston (SC)
This is the central ceremonial space of the College, within one of its oldest continually used buildings.
- Posted Aug. 24, 2021
- Photographs
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Lightsource bp Module Installation
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
- Photographs
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Nittany 3 Solar Farm - Southern View
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
- Photographs
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Nittany 3 Solar Farm
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
- Photographs
- View more
Nittany 1 Solar Farm
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
- Photographs
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UQ 64MW Warwick Solar Farm, Relief from the rain
- University of Queensland (QLD)
The University of Queensland's own residential sheep taking shelter from the rain at the 64MW solar farm. They are on a break from maintenance tasks where they mow and weed …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2021
- Photographs
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University of Virginia - Memorial for Enslaved Laborers
- University of Virginia (VA)
A Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at University of Virginia was completed in 2020. The Memorial to Enslaved Laborers seeks to formally acknowledge the work and the individual lives of the …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2021
- Photographs
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Plant blindness and sustainability
- Aberystwyth University
- University of Gothenburg
Abstract Purpose
The present paper aims to examine the concept of “plant blindness” in the context of current sustainability debates. “Plant blindness” was the term introduced in 1999 by the …
- Posted May 28, 2021
- Publications
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Farming on the Campus Quad
- Duke University (NC)
- Green Mountain College (VT)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
This article covers how universities have promoted local and organic farming by giving their students land to grow their own gardens on campus.
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Publications
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Sneed Prairie Restoration Project
- Austin College (TX)
From website: "In 2001, Austin College initiated an ecosystem restoration project at a former family farm. The Clinton and Edith Sneed Environmental Research Area and Prairie Restoration site, named after …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Redefining Environmental Aesthetics at Emory University
- Emory University (GA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
Emory defines sustainability as relating to the quality of life, emphasizing the necessity of community health, wellbeing, and happiness. In approaching sustainability, Emory has created a comprehensive strategy to foster …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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Prairie Grass Restoration Project
- Grinnell College (IA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
Located in central Iowa, Grinnell College, once a prairie itself, is now indistinguishable from any other college, its land covered in swaths of fresh cut, herbicide-coated sprawling green lawns. In …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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New Ways to Love Trees
- Hope College (MI)
As urbanization rapidly replaces natural forest cover, urban forests are becoming increasingly important because of the ecosystem services they provide. Through the development of the TreeSap app and corresponding educational …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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Auraria Campus Sustainable Development Handbook
- Auraria Higher Education Center (CO)
Auraria Campus Sustainable Development Handbook Maintenance, Design, & Construction Guidelines for Campus Operations & Planning
The Sustainable Development Handbook for Auraria Campus synthesizes the existing sustainability goals of Auraria Campus …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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UIUC Solar Farm 2.0: Ultra-Sustainable on-campus solar array
- University of Illinois University Administration (IL)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
Referred to as “Solar Farm 2.0,” a new 54-acre, 12.32 megawatt (MWdc) utility-scale array is located on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campus, north of Curtis Road, between First …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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Cascadia Cornucopia Food Forest as a prototype for food permaculture areas on campuses
- Cascadia College (WA)
The Cascadia Food Forest is an example of an integrated learning project at Cascadia College. It was designed to facilitate learning opportunities outside the classroom. The food forest is a …
- Posted May 21, 2021
- Case Studies
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University of St. Thomas Stewardship Garden
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
The Stewardship Garden (SG) at the University of St. Thomas (MN) is an innovative urban agriculture project that combines undergraduate-driven research, teaching, and community engagement. Established in 2010, the SG …
- Posted May 21, 2021
- Case Studies
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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.