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
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"When it Comes to Sustainability, the Earth is Our Nest," say BGSU Falcons
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
In celebration of Earth Month and sustainability on campus, students from Bowling Green State University came together to plant trees for the benefit of the University community. BGSU's Office of …
- Posted April 23, 2021
- Photographs
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DIU, Bangladesh observed Earth Day 2021 with an initiative of Tree Plantation
- Daffodil International University (Dhaka)
Air Rover Scout Group of Daffodil International University (DIU), Bangladesh observed Earth Day 2021 with an initiative of tree plantation on campus as well as the nearby community. The motto …
- Posted April 23, 2021
- Photographs
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Spatial distribution of urban vegetation: A case study of a Canadian University Campus using LiDAR-based metrics
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Planners and urban managers design green spaces according to established standards, aspiring to create green spaces within and around the built environment. However, when building density is extremely high, it …
- Posted April 21, 2021
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How An Arboretum Outreach Activity Changed Students’ Attitudes Towards Sustainable Development
- Penn State Brandywine (PA)
In Fall 2017, Penn State Brandywine kicked off an initiative titled Sustainovation, emphasizing programming and community collaborations through sustainability and innovation. The campus identified Tyler Arboretum as a community partner …
- Posted April 21, 2021
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University campuses can contribute to wildlife conservation in urbanizing regions: a case study from Nigeria
- American University of Nigeria (Adamawa,)
Globally, colleges and universities are increasingly mandating sustainability and environmental protection into their practices. To date, such institutions have focused their efforts on recycling and energy-use reduction and less on …
- Posted April 8, 2021
- Publications
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The Buzz about Bee Campuses: Student Thoughts Regarding Pollinator Conservation
- Louisiana State University (LA)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Kentucky (KY)
- USDA (IL)
The decline of insect pollinators in North America is alarming because it may have broad effects on multiple industries and ecosystem health (Gallai et al. 2009, Potts et al. 2010, …
- Posted April 8, 2021
- Publications
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Webinar: Greenspace Town Halls and Make-A-Thon
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- AASHE (MA)
This event is part of the AASHE Award Winner Webinar Series, featuring a presentation of the Student Sustainability Leadership Award winning project.
This webinar will outline the Greenspace Sustainability Design …
- Posted March 25, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustaining a Community Garden
- Palo Alto University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
In 2016, Palo Alto College launched a survey campaign to identify the most pressing issues for student retention and learning. The results showed that one of the most pressing issues …
- Posted March 10, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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University Stormwater Management within Urban Environmental Regulatory Regimes: Barriers to Progressivity or Opportunities to Innovate?
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
- University of Louisville (KY)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
- Monash University (VIC)
- The Nature Conservancy (VA)
U.S. public university campuses are held directly responsible for compliance with many of the same federal- and state-level environmental regulations as cities, including stormwater management. While operating as ‘cities within …
- Posted Feb. 10, 2021
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Campus Forest Carbon Sequestration: An Undergraduate Project Experience
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (NY)
Predicted changes in climate have generated interest in strategies to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases and increase education on the topic. Our study involved an instructor-led team of 19 biology …
- Posted Feb. 10, 2021
- Publications
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Is the college farm sustainable? A reflective essay from Davidson College
- Davidson College (NC)
Campus farms and gardens are proliferating across college and university campuses. While they may have unique missions, at their core those missions often include promoting student learning, campus sustainability, and …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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Landscape Architecture (BS)
- Cornell University (NY)
Landscape Architecture is the design of outdoor areas such as public parks, restored wetlands, urban plazas, historic sites and botanical gardens. Students will learn to collaborate on a wide range …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
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Horticulture Minor
- Cornell University (NY)
The Horticulture Minor Program of Study in Horticulture aims to increase students’ knowledge and skills for managing fruits, vegetables and landscape plants for the purpose of improving the quality of …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Landscape Studies Minor
- Cornell University (NY)
Students outside the professional program may choose the undergraduate minor in landscape studies to complement their major (five courses, 15 credits). Landscape is a useful unifying and foundational concept to …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Plant Breeding Minor
- Cornell University (NY)
The Minor Program of Study in Plant Breeding provides a basic understanding of crop improvement, a historical perspective of the discipline, and a sense of how plant breeding contributes to …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
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Horticultural Biology (MS)
- Cornell University (NY)
Although emphasis is on horticultural plants and systems commonly found in areas of temperate climate, graduate study on species and cropping systems of tropical areas is also possible by use …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Horticultural Biology (PhD)
- Cornell University (NY)
Although emphasis is on horticultural plants and systems commonly found in areas of temperate climate, graduate study on species and cropping systems of tropical areas is also possible by use …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Landscape Architecture (MRP/MLA)
- Cornell University (NY)
Landscape architecture (LA) students interested in the social, political, and economic context in which design occurs, or planning students who want to establish a deeper concentration in physical design and …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Contaminated Site Remediation Graduate Certificate
- University of Connecticut (CT)
As ecological concerns increase, environmental engineering approaches are becoming more in demand and more complex. A certificate program in Contaminated Site Remediation can ultimately lead to a Master of Engineering …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (MS)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
UConn offers Master’s and Doctoral degrees with strong emphasis on research in conjunction with a faculty member. Research opportunities vary from biotechnology and ornamental plant improvement to pest and risk …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PhD
- University of Connecticut (CT)
UConn offers Master’s and Doctoral degrees with strong emphasis on research in conjunction with a faculty member. Research opportunities vary from biotechnology and ornamental plant improvement to pest and risk …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - Stormwater and habitat restoration efforts
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
A picture of UWM’s grounds that is a good representation of recent stormwater and habitat restoration efforts undertaken.
- Posted Oct. 24, 2020
- Photographs
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University of Cincinnati Environmental Literacy Certificate Program Poster
- University of Cincinnati - Clermont (OH)
Recognizing that environmental literacy is integral to the University of Cincinnati's mission of serving the world and enriching our global community, UC provides students the opportunity to earn an Environmental …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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University of Cincinnati Students on a Tour of Fernald Nature Preserve
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
University of Cincinnati students on a tour o as part of one of the requirements for the Environmental Literacy Certificate Program, where experiential learning collides with real world experience.
Fernald …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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Universite Laval - High Performance Greenhouse Complex
- Université Laval (QC)
The High Performance Greenhouse Complex is a reference as a research infrastructure. Its equipment is among the most sophisticated in North America. The High Performance Greenhouse Complex distinguishes itself from …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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Central New Mexico Community College, Main Campus Detention Basin
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
Photos # 1 & 2 Description: This detention basin slows and filters stormwater that drains from a large parking lot located at CNM Main Campus, near University Avenue. It also …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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Tennessee Tech’s Sustainable Intramural Pavilion
- Tennessee Technological University (TN)
The Tennessee Tech intramural facility features pervious pavement and an underground drainage system below the volleyball court. The pervious pavement allows rainwater to flow through it and deposit into a …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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University of Minnesota, Duluth - Pollinator Pledge
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
Three students -- Rachel Hopwood, Michael Purtell, and Dave Herrera -- pioneered the passing of an operational policy that protects the University of Minnesota Duluth's campus pollinators in perpetuity. Referred …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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CSU Monterey Bay - Laundry to Landscape
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
CSU Monterey Bay implemented a pilot laundry to landscape project that is connected to 8 washing machines. The greywater is filtered and then distributed to adjacent landscaping. The project was …
- Posted Oct. 15, 2020
- Photographs
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Portland State University - Smart Trees Researcher
- Portland State University (OR)
In this photo, Portland State University graduate and postdoctoral researcher Hannah Prather climbs a Douglas fir in the early morning to collect samples as part of a smart trees research …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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CSU Monterey Bay - Living Community Challenge - Biophilic Design Study
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
In partnership with an environmental studies research course, CSU Monterey Bay developed a Biophilic Design Framework Study. With this study, we will be able to inform future projects, ensuring that …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Universite de Montreal SCI images
- Université de Montréal (QC)
Our beautiful campus in fall/Tree planting in the spring of 2020.
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Photographs
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The American College of Greece - A sustainable campus!
- The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)
A selection of photos from The American College of Greece main campus, depicting the campus sustainable grounds, interaction of students with green technology as well as wellness areas!
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Photographs
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University of Saskatchewan - Bowl
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
Students enjoying USask's bowl where compost has now replaced fertilizer in keeping turf areas vibrant and green.
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
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Webinar: Managing Surplus Property for Zero Waste
- College & University Recycling Coalition (DC)
CURC learned in a 2019 survey that managing surplus property was a key interest of members to learn about. What strategies for managing surplus property work on different campuses, public …
- Posted Sept. 11, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Reaching Your Collaborators: Communicating for Connection & Education
- College & University Recycling Coalition (DC)
Welcome to the CURC 2020 Webinar Series!
Trying to implement a campus-wide waste initiative with limited time, influence and staff is a barrier we've all faced. How do we collaborate …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Greenspace Sustainability Design Town Halls and Make-A-Thon: A model for empowering campus communities to lead the design of sustainable spaces and places
- University of Central Florida (FL)
A team of students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) (Orlando, Florida) led a partnership between UCF Student Government, the UCF Office of Sustainability Initiatives, and UCF Landscaping and …
- Posted May 20, 2020
- Case Studies
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Herbicide-Free LMU
- Loyola Marymount University (CA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
The project represented in this case study is Herbicide-Free LMU, a campaign I started at LMU under Herbicide-Free Campus. With a slow beginning as the sole campaign leader, I worked …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Herbicide-Free Campus: UCSB
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
This project sought to reduce synthetic herbicide use on the UC Santa Barbara Campus. There were three main aspects of this project: meeting with groundskeepers, passing resolutions in the student …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Final Project Report: Crum Woods
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Purpose of the Project: To increase student, faculty, staff, and community member engagement and safety in Crum Woods, as well as continue to implement the 10-year Crum Woods Restoration and …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Palo Alto College Community Garden
- Palo Alto College (TX)
The Palo Alto Community Garden opened in October of 2019 as a space to grow food, cultivate community, and improve food security for the greater Palo Alto Community.
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Biodiversity in the Campus Landscape: A Meta-Evaluation of Landscape Metrics and Rating Systems
- Smith College (MA)
In the context of globally dwindling biodiversity, Smith College is in the process of developing a new Landscape Master Plan. This research analyzed approaches to landscape management rating systems and …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Publications
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One Million Trees
- Pepperdine University (CA)
- Santa Monica College (CA)
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of Southern California (CA)
This project started in 2015 and the goal was to plant one million trees by 2020 in partnership with the National Forest Foundation. Our team came up with the idea …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
- Grand Valley State University (MI)
Abstract - Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
Having success in reducing energy consumption and costs, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) located in the state of Michigan, looked at …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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The relationship between self-rated naturalness of university green space and students’ restoration and health
- University of British Columbia (BC)
- Xiamen Haicang Urban Construction Group
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
A growing body of evidence indicates that university green space can promote students’ restoration and health. Nonetheless, only a few studies have focused on the relationship that exists among perceived …
- Posted May 13, 2020
- Publications
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Improving the attractiveness and accessibility of campus green space for developing a sustainable university environment
- City Planning & Design Institute of Yiwu China
- University of Kitakyushu (Fukuoka)
A growing body of research has investigated the vital effects of urban greening. However, the green space on campus, also recognized as an important element of urban greening and providing …
- Posted May 13, 2020
- Publications
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Campus-Based Ecotourism: A Case Study on the Power of Local Ecotourism
- University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (NE)
Academic campuses across the Great Plains can serve as landscapes for teaching and learning about native flora of cultural importance with regard to food, medicine, and lifeways. Campus visitors (tourists) …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Active and Passive Use of Green Space, Health, and Well-Being amongst University Students
- Furman University (SC)
- Yale University (CT)
Frequent exposure to green space has been linked to positive health and well-being in varying populations. Yet, there is still limited research exploring the restorative benefits associated with differing types …
- Posted May 11, 2020
- Publications
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Is Skidmore Carbo-loading? Establishing a Baseline Carbon Inventory of Skidmore’s Northern Lands
- Skidmore College (NY)
Approximately half of the world’s terrestrially sequestered carbon is held in forests and wetlands. Landowners and institutions can manage forests to maximize their sequestration potential for the purpose of offsetting …
- Posted March 6, 2020
- Publications
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Sequestering Carbon: Using Campus Wood to Make Carbon-Capturing Furniture and Items
- Western Michigan University (MI)
The Living Woodshop, run by the Office for Sustainability at Western Michigan University, has been designed as a partnership with the Facilities Management department to reuse lumber on campus. Wood …
- Posted Feb. 7, 2020
- 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.