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
Worm Poop Creates Sustainable Economy!
- University of Louisville (KY)
After almost fifteen years of trying to turn worm poop into sustainable community and economy, the good news is that this is possible. It's a good deal of work, though, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Outdoor Waste Receptacle Removal: A Creative Approach to Waste Management
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Institutions across the country have found success in strategically phasing out outdoor waste receptacles and focusing their waste efforts on the management of indoor waste streams. Though perhaps counterintuitive to …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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University of Kentucky Organic Waste Composting Pilot Project: Growing Sustainability Partnerships
- University of Kentucky (KY)
In 2019, the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, UK Dining, Aramark, UK Physical Plant (Waste, Recycling, & Grounds), and UK Sustainability began a strategic partnership …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Don't Let it Go to Waste: Three Scrappy Strategies for Managing Food Waste and Organics in Kentucky
- University of Kentucky (KY)
- University of Louisville (KY)
- Western Kentucky University (KY)
- Aramark (PA)
Food waste is all too often seen as nothing more than 'trash.' Yet capturing food waste for positive transformation can and should be a key component of campus sustainability efforts. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Leveraging Campus Buying Power to Get Toxic Chemicals Out of Our Food and Off School Grounds
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- Center for Environmental Health
This session aims to educate, inspire, and equip purchasing decision makers, relevant staff and students to take action, collaborate with other purchasers, and employ creative solutions to eliminate toxic chemicals …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Rooted in Community: Collaboration with Local Land Trusts
- Davidson College (NC)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)
As higher education institutions, and specifically sustainability offices, seek to broaden and deepen collaboration with local organizations, the land trust community is a natural partner. In many cases, both the …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Bees : How UTSA is Connecting Sustainability and Undergraduate Research Opportunities
- University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)
The University of Texas at San Antonio's newly established Office of Sustainability awarded the department of Environmental Science and Ecology funding for a 3 year program to facilitate the expansion …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Creating Living Laboratories Through Campus Ecological Restoration
- Eastern Washington University (WA)
At Eastern Washington University we are currently working to restore 120 acres of campus farmland back to native habitat with the goal to preserve natural landscapes, sequester carbon, promote sustainable …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Creating a Buzz Across America: Supporting a Healthy Food Economy with Beekeeping
- Central Community College (NE)
- Delta College (MI)
- Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus (OR)
Higher education is an ideal platform to champion environmental practices toward a sustainable economy. Community colleges are at the forefront of raising awareness of the role pollinators have on their …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Apiculture: A Case for Producing Local Honey
- Winthrop University (SC)
Humans have been harvesting honey from honeybees since prehistoric times. Raw honey is a natural food with many nutritional benefits, contains powerful antioxidants, counters pollen allergies and is a natural …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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How to Start an Herbicide-Free Campaign on Your Campus!
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Herbicide-Free UC's mission is to stop the use of toxic herbicides across all University of California campuses. We are currently at four UC campuses, but the UC system is just …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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The VCU Pocket Park: Creating a sustainability-oriented green space on a dynamic university campus
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a growing, changing university in the heart of the city of Richmond, VA. Green space is limited on this dense urban campus. The VCU Office …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Campus Farmers 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. Find someone in your region or across the nation to share …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Curriculum and a Hands-On Project: Manual vs. Automated Irrigation Methods in the University Garden
- University of Houston - Downtown (TX)
The Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (CUAS) at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) has combined innovative curriculum with hands-on projects to teach sustainable practices. Students enrolled in the CUAS …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Fostering Student Engagement and Learning Through Campus Gardens
- State University of New York at Geneseo (NY)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Leah McCord, AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at the University of Tennessee Office of Sustainability, will share her office's experience of proposing and implementing the Grow Lab. The Grow Lab is …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Design a permaculture garden through a co-curricular and service learning experience.
- Pikes Peak Community College (CO)
The Office of Sustainability partnered with a Group Communication Class and local permaculture guild to established a community garden at Pikes Peak Community College's Centennial Campus. Communication students interviewed five …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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A Model for Higher Education Involvement in Land Conservation: The ALPINE Network
- Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (MA)
With their academic roots, the authors of the Wildlands and Woodlands vision recognized that an untapped source of energy, skill, and commitment for land protection lies with the constituents of …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Managing Trees on Campus: A Survey of North American College and University Tree Care Practices and Operations
- James Madison University (VA)
- APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities (VA)
- Arbor Day Foundation (NE)
In 2017 and 2018, a study was conducted to better understand the extent to which college and university campuses are treed and how trees are managed. A web-based survey was …
- Posted Sept. 5, 2019
- Publications
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Climate Change Garden at Cornell University
- Cornell University (NY)
The Climate Change Garden at Cornell University, a permanent campus installation that demonstrates the impact of climate change on plant growth in New York state. Planning for the climate change …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2019
- Photographs
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Tapping Campus Trees & Making Syrup
- University of Louisville (KY)
Each winter in the early spring semester, University of Louisville students, faculty, staff, and community partners participate in tapping trees on campus to make syrup and learn about the process …
- Posted July 29, 2019
- Photographs
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University of Richmond - 2019 SCI
- University of Richmond (VA)
This photo is to be considered for University of Richmond's highlight in the 2019 Sustainability Index.
- Posted July 25, 2019
- Photographs
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Community Tree Planting
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
Annual tree planting is part of UCI's commitment to sustainable landscaping and healthy urban forests. Since 2010, UC Irvine has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA university by the …
- Posted June 25, 2019
- Photographs
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Campus Sustainability Achievement
- California State University Maritime Academy (CA)
California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) participated in the Arbor Day Foundation program, managed by a non-profit conservation and education organization founded in 1972, and applied for the Tree …
- Posted May 20, 2019
- Case Studies
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Central College Tree Campus
- Central College (IA)
- Arbor Day Foundation (NE)
Central College is a leader in sustainability education, both in Iowa and the Midwest. For more than a century, Central students and staff have helped plant and care for trees …
- Posted May 20, 2019
- Case Studies
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The Ripple Effect: Community Cultivated, Regionally Replicated
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA)
Last fall, the U.S. Global Change Research Program released “Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States” from the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4). It emphasizes that the …
- Posted May 17, 2019
- Case Studies
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Learning Garden construction at Portland Community College's Cascade Campus
- Portland Community College (OR)
Portland Community College Staff and students teamed up to plant a new learning garden on Portland Community College's Cascade campus. Learning gardens already exist at three of PCC's other locations: …
- Posted May 17, 2019
- Photographs
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Ryerson University Road Salt Reduction Demonstration Project
- Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) (ON)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
In the City of Toronto, more than 120,000 tonnes of road salt is applied each year. When snow and ice on our streets, sidewalks and parking lots melt, the salty …
- Posted May 17, 2019
- Case Studies
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Mainstreaming Biodiversity on Campus - Niagara College's BioBlitz Program
- Niagara College Canada (ON)
The Niagara College BioBlitz program is part of a continuous focus at Niagara College on experiential learning and providing the opportunity to students and the community to use the campus …
- Posted May 17, 2019
- Case Studies
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BCIT’s Sustainable Infrastructure Project wins Envision Gold
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The North Campus Infrastructure Project (NCIP) at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Burnaby, British Columbia, is an ambitious and forward-thinking initiative that leverages the opportunity of infrastructure …
- Posted May 15, 2019
- Case Studies
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University of Houston Tree Inventory
- University of Houston (TX)
There is an old saying that to plant a tree is the most optimistic act a person can do. This is because it takes so long for trees to grow, …
- Posted May 15, 2019
- Case Studies
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Recycled Water Innovation at San Jose State University
- San Jose State University (CA)
San Jose State University has a central plant that provides utilities (electricity, steam, and chilled water) to its main campus. It has been a customer of South Bay Water Recyclers …
- Posted May 15, 2019
- Case Studies
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CSUN Celebrates Earth Month!
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
To celebrate Earth Day, many campus departments partnered to provide hands-on and immersive events and workshops to students, creating long-lasting impressions about the effects of climate change. Campus-wide initiatives to …
- Posted May 8, 2019
- Photographs
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Reviewing University Community Gardens for Sustainability: taking stock, comparisons with urban community gardens and mapping research opportunities
- Keele University
Community gardens (CGs) in university settings are faced with challenges associated with a transient and inexperienced population of student gardeners, but they also have the potential to have a lasting …
- Posted May 7, 2019
- Publications
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College Campus as a Living Laboratory: Scrubbing Scales, Saving Trees, Engaging Students
- University of Kentucky (KY)
Opportunities for meaningful engagement of college students in their campus communities rarely focus on tree health, and even less frequently address insect pests. Tree Campus USA certification typically involves service-learning …
- Posted May 7, 2019
- Publications
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DIY Succulent Planters
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
Students plant their own water friendly succulent to take home and watch grow. Encouraging sustainable landscaping and awareness about water conservation efforts.
- Posted May 5, 2019
- Photographs
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Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) South Campus Earth Day Celebration
- Community College of Allegheny County (PA)
Students at CCAC's South Campus took an active part in Earth Day celebrations.
- Posted May 5, 2019
- Photographs
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Tropical Forest Landscape Conservation, Restoration, & Sustainable Use Certificate
- Yale University (CT)
Tropical Forest Landscape Conservation, Restoration, & Sustainable Use offers an opportunity to address pressing environmental and social challenges. Effective conservation and restoration initiatives support multiple objectives, including ecosystem functioning, climate …
- Posted May 5, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Earth Day UTea Crush
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
Justin Hays of The University of Texas at Austin’s Landscape Services provides information about U-Tea (pun intended)— compost tea made on campus and bottled in repurposed plastic containers—during the annual …
- Posted April 29, 2019
- Photographs
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Greening to campus Landscape
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Convert the campus landscape maintenance equipment from gas electric
- Posted March 6, 2019
- Case Studies
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A - B Tech's Apiary Overview
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (NC)
A look at A-B Tech's very own Apiary. Created by Erik Moellering (English), Josh Littlejohn (former instructor Sustainability Technologies), and Russ Palmeri (Biology). The Apiary was constructed by A - …
- Posted Jan. 30, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Making the World Safe for Pollinators, One Campus at a Time
- Abilene Christian University (TX)
Bee City USA is an organization that is dedicated to protecting declining pollinator populations. These organisms are keystone species in the environment and one third of human food production depends …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Landscape Architecture (BS)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
The Bachelor of Science Program in Landscape Architecture at the University of Massachusetts is strongly influenced by its unique New England setting. Massachusetts is now the fifth fastest growing state …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Environmental Horticulture (BA/BS)
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (WI)
Environmental horticulture is the art and science of cultivating plants for human health and beautification of our environment. Our environmental horticulture curriculum concentrates on the practical application of theoretical concepts …
- Posted Nov. 20, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Master Plan to Robus Practice: The Evolution of Sustainable Landscape Practices at Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
Universities across the globe are recognizing the need to implement sustainable landscaping practices in order to support wildlife, improve water quality and positively impact human health and wellbeing. Georgia Institute …
- Posted Nov. 13, 2018
- Publications
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From Root to STEM: Growing Water Use Awareness Through Visualization
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
The STEM N' Sustainability program offered by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is designed to give women knowledge, resources and opportunities to pursue STEM-related careers in fields, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Harvesting Hope for the Future Through Green Infrastructure
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Tucson is situated in one of the most arid regions of the world. Consequently, conserving water for the use of both people and the environment is of utmost importance. Doing …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Bin There, Done That: Mapping CSUN's Outdoor Waste Infrastructure
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
To prepare for the implementation of CSUN's Zero Waste Plan, and to comply with new stormwater pollution mandates, the Facilities Planning department at CSU Northridge created an internship for students …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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From Cars to Bikes - A Campus Transformation
- Purdue University (IN)
- Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA) (IN)
The transformation of physical environments on college campuses typically comes in the form of a formal master planning effort with great vision and fanfare. BUT there are other, more granular, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Microbial assessment of rainwater tanks and runoff retention basins: A pilot study
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Exploring the reuse potential of stormwater runoff and the roof-top rainwater, to meet water supply needs on the University campus is the core focus of this research. Although rainwater is …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Solar and Sheep Grazing - Is it for Ewe?
- Furman University (SC)
Does your institution have solar panels or are you thinking about installing them? Does your institution have sheep or know someone who does? If you answered 'yes' to either of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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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.