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
Water Efficient Landscaping Specialization, Horticulture MPSH
- Utah State University (UT)
The purpose of this degree is to provide horticulturalists with knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote landscape water conservation. As water becomes more precious, the demand for these skills …
- Posted April 12, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Bachelor in Horticulture
- Iowa State University (IA)
Horticulturists grow fresh fruits and vegetables, plan and create beautiful landscapes, cultivate and maintain acres of turfgrass for recreation and function, breed new plants for pest resistance and environmental tolerance, …
- Posted April 12, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Agriculture Co-op Program
- Fleming College (ON)
Throughout the Sustainable Agriculture program Students will Learn from experienced farmers and practitioners in class, on farm field days, and during panel discussions,Develop a business case and farm plan, Focus …
- Posted April 12, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Horticulture (AAS)
- College of Lake County (IL)
Today’s horticulture industry offers careers that go beyond landscaping and floral design. Associate degree graduates of horticulture programs can become natural area managers, arborists and owners and managers of sustainable …
- Posted April 12, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Designing a Model Landscape for Multiple Values: Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Middlebury College Lands
- Middlebury College (VT)
As an institutional leader of the environmental movement, Middlebury College must steward its lands for the development of a sustainable, multi-use landscape. Managing the college’s 3,212 acres of land around …
- Posted April 11, 2018
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Put a Price on It: Measuring Ecological Value of a Diverse Landscape
- Skidmore College (NY)
This research is a case-study measuring the value of ecosystem services in a 138 hectare parcel of Skidmore’s undeveloped land. We estimate the parcel’s annual value is $150,896. The market …
- Posted April 6, 2018
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Promoting Sustainable Campus Landscapes: Making a Case for Campus Trees
- Old Dominion University (VA)
- Penn State Mont Alto (PA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Arbor Day Foundation (NE)
- Bartlett Tree Experts (IL)
This webinar explores the benefits of sustainable campus landscapes and how to build long-lasting support, specifically for the trees on your campus, by conducting tree inventories, publicizing your findings, educating …
- Posted April 3, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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An economic value assessment of ecological services in the tree community at Winona State University Arboretum
- Winona State University (MN)
Trees possess intrinsic and extrinsic attributes that contribute to enhancing high environmental standards in a majority of landscapes, also while improving quality of life for human communities and other biota. …
- Posted March 29, 2018
- Publications
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Promoting Sustainable Landscapes
- Portland State University (OR)
- South Dakota State University (SD)
- AASHE (MA)
- Arbor Day Foundation (NE)
Co-hosted by AASHE and the Arbor Day Foundation, this webinar explores the benefits of sustainable campus landscapes and how to build long-lasting support for them by publicizing initiatives, educating and …
- Posted March 9, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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Arizona State University Urban Forestry and Carbon Offsets Pilot
- Arizona State University (AZ)
In 2017, the University Sustainability Practices (USP) office at Arizona State University (ASU) piloted a new urban forestry program to explore the viability of generating carbon offsets through local tree …
- Posted Feb. 15, 2018
- Case Studies
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Sustainability Through the Eyes of Nature
- Atwell, LLC (MI)
Important institutions and systems-including our governments, capitalist economies, food production systems, and urban designs-often seem to produce problematic political, economic, environmental, and social outcomes. In addition, many of these human-designed …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Bee Campus USA: Making the World Safer for Pollinators, One Campus at a a Time
- The Xerces Society (OR)
Pollinators are responsible for 1 in 3 bites of food we consume-actually, the most nutritious and, some say, delicious bites! Equally important, pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of 90% …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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The effect of smoke exposure on the germination of native plant species of North America
- Texas Tech University (TX)
Smoke exposure is known to influence germination of a wide variety of species. However, the influence of smoke on germination of grasses is poorly studied. In order to investigate the …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainable Development: Transformational Outdoor Spaces
- Mohawk College (ON)
Mohawk College's Sustainable Landscape Plan provides a comprehensive vision for the design and programming of campus open spaces, supporting the creation of sustainable campuses with high quality outdoor spaces and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Promoting Diversity in the College Landscape: Using Native Species to Create Ecosystems
- Skidmore College (NY)
As institutions of progress and higher learning, colleges have a responsibility to model sustainable landscaping practices. This is true now more than ever with threats of climate change and concerns …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability and Agricultural Science - A Practical and Combined Effort to Engage and Educate
- Central Community College (NE)
Agriculture is the foundation of all sustainability efforts, many don't understand the true connection to our food and fiber systems and how sustainable agriculture production systems are. Being an active …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Campus and Community Partnership: The Results of a Feasibility Study on a Nature Prescription Network
- James Madison University (VA)
Emerging research continues to support the notion that exposure to or interaction with nature enhances creativity and vitality, attention and focus, and an overall sense of well being. Nisbet, Zelenski, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Learnings in Advancing Sustainability, Measuring Progress, and Keeping Campus Clean with Smart Waste & Recycling Solutions
- BigBelly Solar (MA)
Now more than ever, colleges and universities are placing emphasis on creating a comprehensive campus-wide approach to increase commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and the environment. This commitment is embodied by …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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A Fresh Start: From Soil-Grown Greenhouse to Hydroponics
- Dominican University (IL)
The study of the sciences occupy a prime place in Dominican University's curriculum. In the late 1930s, Dominican sister, Hilaire Ryan, OP built a greenhouse to provide botany students with …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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How could the grass on your campus be as 'green' as it looks?
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
The poster seeks to inform conference attendees about a new country wide research project. In cities across the U.S. temperate zone appropriate for fine fescues, we will collaborate with College …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Closed Loop Food System at Warren Wilson College
- Warren Wilson College (NC)
Sustainability and environmental stewardship are woven into the fabric of Warren Wilson College. At the small work college in southern Appalachia, students participate in community gardens, live in co-op housing, …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
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Joining Forces to Restore Urban Woodland and Reconnect Students with Nature: A Model for Campus-Community-Commerce Collaboration
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
The Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project brings campus, community, and business together to achieve on-the-ground conservation results, enhanced awareness of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and behavioral change that supports sustainability. Working …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Grow Native - A Plant and Pollinator Garden Catalyzes Engagement and Learning
- Dallas College (TX)
Over the past two years a small, inspired group of students, employees, community friends and alums of Brookhaven College (Dallas County Community Colleges) proposed, designed, crowd-funded, and installed a 4,000 …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Campus Gardens: Increasing Sustainability and Lowering Food Insecurity
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania (PA)
In this session, we will focus on the role campus gardens can play in educating faculty, students, and staff about sustainable food systems as well as their role in alleviating …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Introducing Students to Campus Sustainability through Interactive Tree Labeling
- Frostburg State University (MD)
Frostburg State University, recognized as Tree Campus USA for five years, has recently introduced an interactive tree labeling system. The labeled trees directly connect to a customizable webpage through smartphones …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Getting Started with Local Carbon Offsets: Spotlight on Urban Forestry
- Davidson College (NC)
- Duke University (NC)
For many schools working towards carbon neutrality, carbon offsets will play an important role. While offsets can be purchased on the open market, it is possible to have an even …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Valuing and Conserving College Land for Community Resilience
- Middlebury College (VT)
This is a case study of the conservation of 2,100 acres of forest lands owned by Middlebury College at its Bread Loaf campus. This project established the permanent protection of …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Middlebury College Land Conservation at Bread Loaf
- Middlebury College (VT)
Middlebury's conserved lands around the Bread Loaf campus provides a scenic backdrop for numerous activities.
- Posted Oct. 20, 2017
- Photographs
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Middlebury's Bread Loaf Mountain Campus and Surrounding Conserved Lands
- Middlebury College (VT)
Middlebury College's 2100 acres of conserved land is surrounded by Green Mountain National Forest land. Middlebury's conserved lands are enjoyed by participants of its summer programs at the Bread Loaf …
- Posted Oct. 20, 2017
- Photographs
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Macalester College highlighted in AASHE's 2017 Sustainable Campus Index!
- Macalester College (MN)
Caption: Kira Liu '17, left, and Emily Sylvestre '16, right, winterizing the bee hives with Pollinate Minnesota staff at Macalester College's Katharine Ordway Natural History Study Area. The photo was …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2017
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SOU Students Celebrating Arbor Day
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
SOU students and the community came together to celebrate Arbor Day and Bee Campus USA by planting 6,000 native plants for pollinators throughout campus.
- Posted Oct. 14, 2017
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Closed Loop Composting at Central Michigan University
- Central Michigan University (MI)
Through its commitment to utilizing organic waste as a valuable resource, Central Michigan University engages in a full-circle, closed system composting program that also promotes economic prosperity. Material from compost …
- Posted Oct. 12, 2017
- Photographs
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Campus Engagement; Diversity & Affordability
- Northwestern University (IL)
The Change Makers program at Northwestern University allows professional staff and faculty members to engage in a personal journey to create a more inclusive environment at Northwestern University. Change Makers …
- Posted Oct. 11, 2017
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Building commitment to sustainability through habitat restoration: A case study of Valley Forge Christian College
- Valley Forge Christian College (PA)
This sustainability initiative was created to improve the campus habitat for wildlife and to motivate students to begin new sustainability initiatives. A habitat restoration and educational outreach plan called “Habitat …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2017
- Publications
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Natural Herbicides Project
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Engineers for a Sustainable World (CO)
First experiment (for Google Science Fair 2012). Weedy check (control plot in which no natural herbicides were applied) shown to left; treated areas shown to right.
- Posted Aug. 14, 2017
- Photographs
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Natural Herbicides Project
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Engineers for a Sustainable World (CO)
The Natural Herbicides Project focuses on addressing the issue of the usage of chemical herbicides with detrimental health and environmental impacts on- and off-campus. Our team developed an effective natural …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Sustainable Biodiversity on the Georgia Southern Campus
- Georgia Southern University (GA)
Our project recorded the biodiversity of vertebrates on the 700 acre rural campus of Georgia Southern University. Faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students were involved in collecting the data. Students …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Adding a Nitrogen Footprint to Colorado State University’s Sustainability Plan
- Colorado State University (CO)
As a large land grant university with more than 32,000 students, Colorado State University (CSU) has both on-campus non-agricultural and agricultural sources of nitrogen (N) released to the environment. The …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Publications
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Funding Strategies for Non-Traditional University MS4 Stormwater Programs
- Michigan State University (MI)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
- University of Virginia (VA)
Stormwater programs have historically been stymied by lack of proper funding resources. Unlike drinking water and sanitary sewer utility services that long ago transitioned to enterprise funds, a stormwater utility …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Publications
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Stanford University's R&DE Creatively Responds to the California Drought
- Stanford University (CA)
Sustainability is a core value to Stanford University's Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&DE). R&DE is responsible for about 1/3 of Stanford's campus, housing over 13,000 residents and serving over 18,000 …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Case Studies
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Community Engaged Scholarship and Learning in Urban Forestry helps UTRGV earn Tree Campus USA Designation
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
In 2014, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (through its legacy institution UTPA), one of the largest Hispanic Serving Institutions in the country, proposed and offered three iterations of …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Case Studies
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Arbor Day Tree Planting SUNY Fredonia 2017
- State University of New York at Fredonia (NY)
Fredonia planted several Red Maple trees for Arbor Day 4/28/2017
- Posted May 11, 2017
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An On-Campus Botanical Tour to Promote Student Satisfaction and Learning in a University Level Biodiversity or General Biology Course
- Xavier University of Louisiana (LA)
Outdoor, hands-on and experiential learning, as opposed to instruction-based learning in classroom, increases student satisfaction and motivation leading to a deeper understanding of the subject. However, the use of outdoor …
- Posted May 4, 2017
- Publications
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Sustainability Week @ KU Medical Center
- University of Kansas Medical Center (KS)
KU Medical Center Sustainability Week was held to celebrate Earth Day and the one-year anniversary of the revamped recycling program. This included an Earth Day Celebration to share ways to …
- Posted May 1, 2017
- Photographs
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Suffolk County Community College Earth Week!
- Suffolk County Community College (NY)
- Posted May 1, 2017
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Orchard Planting: Earth Week
- Mills College (CA)
Planting the first portion of an orchard at the Mills Community Farm in collaboration with the nonprofits Growing Together and Hip Hop for Change.
- Posted May 1, 2017
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State University of New York at Cortland Campus Garden Spring Planting
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
The SUNY Cortland Campus Garden Advisory Committee (consisting of students, staff and faculty) held a bed preparation and planting party at the campus garden.
- Posted May 1, 2017
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Earth Day Pollinator Garden at Towson University
- Towson University (MD)
Students, faculty and staff work together on Earth Day to install a student-designed pollinator garden.
- Posted May 1, 2017
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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.