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.
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JMU Virginia Pollinator-Smart Certification
- James Madison University (VA)
James Madison University became the first university to earn the Virginia Pollinator-Smart Certification, a program that promotes pollinator-friendly solar energy developments throughout Virginia. The university's East Campus Hillside features the …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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McGill's Downtown Campus in Autumn
- McGill University (QC)
An aerial view of McGill University's downtown campus in October. Prominently featured are the McCall MacBain Arts Building, the Redpath Museum. The downtown campus is nestled against Mont Royal, Montreal's …
- Posted Aug. 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Seneca Polytechnic - The Seneca Farm
- Seneca Polytechnic (ON)
Opening in September of 2023, Seneca Polytechnic has renovated the two-floor shipping container facility at Newnham Campus and turned it into a hub for urban agriculture commercial growing and research. …
- Posted Aug. 8, 2024
- Photographs
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Concordia University tree planting event
- Concordia University
Thanks to the efforts of staff, students and faculty, some 185 new trees were planted on the university grounds in 2019.
The initiative got underway November 5 with the first …
- Posted Aug. 8, 2024
- Photographs
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mind.heart.mouth garden
- Concordia University
mind.heart.mouth. uses garden-based learning and sensory experience theories to create workshops and spaces that increase awareness and foster stronger connections with our natural environments and the food production process.
- Posted Aug. 7, 2024
- Photographs
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UMass Boston Students enjoy New Green Infrastructure & Sustainable Landscaping Projects
- University of Massachusetts Boston (MA)
UMass Boston used organic landscape management and protects biodiversity in our grounds. In the past years an important project has created a new 5 acre green space where a building …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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Catawba College: Ornithology & Preserved Wetlands
- Catawba College (NC)
Dr. Joe Poston takes ornithology students for a walk in Catawba College's Fred Stanback Jr. Ecological preserve.
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Mirror Lake at The Ohio State University
- The Ohio State University (OH)
In November 2013, the university began exploring ways to make the lake more sustainable. The restoration returns Mirror Lake to a more natural and sustainable state — closer to its …
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Green Roof at Howlett Hall
- The Ohio State University (OH)
This 12,000 square foot green roof is located on Howlett Hall, home to the OSU Department of Horticulture & Crop Science, Department of Food Science and Technology, and the Chadwick …
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Bigelow Boulevard Bioswales at University of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Completed in 2020, the University of Pittsburgh’s transformation of Bigelow Boulevard (which runs through the heart of campus) features a series of rain gardens known as the Bigelow Bioswales. These …
- Posted July 22, 2024
- Photographs
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Selkirk College Grounds
- Selkirk College (BC)
Hello! Selkirk College was selected to be featured in the latest SCI for "grounds" impact area. The following photos highlight two projects that demonstrate our dedication to sustainability within our …
- Posted July 21, 2024
- Photographs
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Students Hand-Weeding Pollinator Garden
- California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
CSU Channel Islands students celebrated the start of Earth Month by hand pulling weeds in one of the university's largest pollinator gardens. The student pictured is Stephannie, an international graduate …
- Posted July 18, 2024
- Photographs
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Dickinson College Farm
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson’s College Farm is an 80-acre, USDA-certified organic farm and a living laboratory where students can gain distinctive, hands-on learning experiences.
- Posted July 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Dickinson College Pollinator Garden
- Dickinson College (PA)
The Dickinson College landscape has been changing to reflect important sustainability goals, which include a campus-wide dedication to hands-on sustainability education and stewardship. To reflect these goals, landscape design and …
- Posted July 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Campus Begins Turf Removal
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Six months ago, Cal State Fullerton announced that it was letting sections of lawn die as part of its ongoing efforts to meet statewide mandates, due to the statewide drought. …
- Posted June 12, 2024
- Photographs
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Campus Drought Response Is Evolving
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Lawns Will Be Replaced, Other Ideas Sought to Save Water
Cal State Fullerton will be going brown — briefly — in response to the state’s current drought conditions.
The result …
- Posted May 28, 2024
- Photographs
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Earth Month Activities at CSU Channel Islands
- California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
California State University Channel Islands celebrates Earth Day throughout the entire month of April. In April 2024, the university organized a series of events to celebrate the earth and promote …
- Posted May 6, 2024
- Photographs
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Sustainable Garden
- California State University, Stanislaus (CA)
Master Gardener and Gardening Specialist Hector Vera leads a tour at the Sustainable Garden at Stanislaus State. In partnership with the agriculture department, this tour was organized and promoted by …
- Posted May 6, 2024
- Photographs
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Concordia University's Earth Week BioBlitz
- Concordia University
Concordia community members gathered on Loyola campus to participate in the 2024 City Nature Challenge (BioBlitz). This is an international competition encouraging citizen scientist to help out the scientific community …
- Posted April 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden at Creighton University
- Creighton University (NE)
For Earth Day 2024, students, faculty and staff were invited to prepare the Nebraska Native Pollinator Garden, located on the Creighton University campus in Omaha, NE, for its next growing …
- Posted April 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Earth Fest Celebration for Earth Month at Oklahoma State
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
Each year on Earth Day, we hold our campus Earth Fest, bringing together sustainability-focused student and faculty groups. The event features information about Energy Services, SGA sustainability initiatives, and various …
- Posted April 29, 2024
- Photographs
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MIT adds another pollinator garden installation
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
MIT students at MacGregor House worked with horticulturalist Grace Coburn to plant two new raised gardens filled with pollinator plants. The planter gardens are the latest installation building off MIT's …
- Posted April 23, 2024
- Photographs
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Lyon Software Earth Day 2024 Clean Up
- Lyon Software (OH)
The Lyon Software team cleaned up our business park for Earth Day.
- Posted April 23, 2024
- Photographs
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UNC Charlotte Campus Beautification Day
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
University of North Carolina Charlotte staff, students, faculty, and alumni planted trees and picked up litter around campus on April 17th in celebration of Earth Month.
- Posted April 23, 2024
- Photographs
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Who Owns the Campus Forest? A Tree Campus Conversation
- Arbor Day Foundation (NE)
Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities. They clean our air, filter our water, and even slow storm surge and flooding in our cities. …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Utilizing Bees to Strengthen Relationships in Higher Education
- Hillsborough Community College (FL)
Finding funding to support sustainability related initiatives can be difficult in any institution. Come learn about how a Florida community college utilizes their bee hives to strengthen relationships throughout the …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Rewild Your Campus With the Green Grounds Certification Program
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
Re:wild Your Campus’s Green Grounds Certification offers a new pathway for schools to improve upon campus sustainability goals, reduce synthetic pesticide usage and implement organic grounds maintenance practices. This webinar …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Exploring Conservation Land Management at the University Level
- University of Florida (FL)
- University of Richmond (VA)
Be inspired as we discover the transformative world of campus land conservation planning. This interactive presentation invites you to join the discussion and discover strategies that engage a diverse conservation …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Landscape Architecture (MA)
- Auburn University (AL)
The Auburn Master's in Landscape Architecure involves three areas of inquiry, which guide and regulate its teaching and learning strategies. These are ecological urbanism, environmental justice and global challenges. Together …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Landscape Architecture (Master)
- University of Manitoba (MB)
Landscape Architecture is a creative profession concerned with the analysis, planning, design and management of the land at scales varying from whole regions to small individual sites. Landscape architects integrate …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Environmental Engineering and Landscape Architecture (BS) (Combined)
- Northeastern University (MA)
This combined major provides students an opportunity to obtain the fundamental scientific background and practical training to tackle environmental and landscape-related issues. The program seeks to prepare students for advanced …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Rewild Your Campus with the Green Grounds Certification
- Seattle University (WA)
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Re:wild Your Campus (TX)
- PJC Organic (MA)
Re:wild Your Campus’s Green Grounds Certification offers a new pathway for schools to reduce synthetic pesticide usage and implement organic grounds maintenance practices. This webinar will guide participants through the …
- Posted Sept. 29, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley campus solar array
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
The Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs is one of the college's 11 campuses. and is home to one of the largest solar arrays in Colorado. Besides providing …
- Posted Aug. 31, 2023
- Photographs
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Agora Pond
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The natural amphitheater, with its pond, has been landscaped to preserve biodiversity, and is a popular place for the Université de Sherbrooke community.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Back to school
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The start of the new academic year at the Université de Sherbrooke is an opportunity for the university community to take advantage of the campuses and its beautiful nature in …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Student on the Main Campus
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Université de Sherbrooke, nicknamed the “Green University”, provides its community with various extraordinary green spaces.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Main Campus from the air
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Université de Sherbrooke, nicknamed the “Green University”, offers its community a wide range of opportunities to take advantage of Quebec's natural beauty.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Historical garden
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
Since 2018, a professor specializing in cultural food history and his students from the Department of History of the Université de Sherbrooke have established a historical garden on the university …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Deer on the Main Campus
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Main Campus of the Université de Sherbrooke is adjacent to the Mont-Bellevue Park, and benefits from its multiple ecosystems. The Mont-Bellevue Park, which covers an area of 202 hectares, …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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John Brong Planting Day at CCU
- Coastal Carolina University (SC)
Each year, the CCU community will comes together for a day of service to honor the life of the late John Brong, who served as the CCU greenhouse manager for …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2023
- Photographs
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Central Community College-Grand Island Pollinator Garden
- Central Community College (NE)
CCC Environmental Sustainability Director Ben Newton conducts a tour of the pollinator garden at the Grand Island Campus.
- Posted Aug. 29, 2023
- Photographs
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Ruche campus
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
A student beekeeper from the Ruche Campus student group of the Université de Sherbrooke checks the condition of one of the campus hives. Made up of student volunteers, Ruche Campus …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
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Research and teaching areas
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
In addition to the largest solar park dedicated to applied research in Canada, the Université de Sherbrooke owns the Johnville Bog and Forest Park, a 225 hectares research and teaching …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Humber College SCI 2023 Photos - Grounds Category
- Humber College (ON)
Photo submission for Humber College's Top Performance in the 2023 SCI Grounds category.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Taking Stormwater Seriously at the University of Vermont
- University of Vermont (VT)
The soils on UVM's campus are glacial till on bedrock, limiting infiltration of runoff. UVM’s diverse stormwater systems slow and filter runoff rather than letting it run directly into Burlington’s …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Bennington College Commons Building
- Bennington College (VT)
This holistic remaking of the historic and beloved center of campus community life combines dining, social, and academic areas within a collection of dynamic spaces. The building is animated by …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2023
- Photographs
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Bennington College Commons Building
- Bennington College (VT)
This holistic remaking of the historic and beloved center of campus community life combines dining, social, and academic areas within a collection of dynamic spaces. The building is animated by …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2023
- Photographs
- View more
Bennington College Commons
- Bennington College (VT)
This holistic remaking of the historic and beloved center of campus community life combines dining, social, and academic areas within a collection of dynamic spaces. The building is animated by …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2023
- Photographs
- View more
University of Manitoba campus
- University of Manitoba (MB)
Top Performer, Water University of Manitoba campus
- Posted Aug. 23, 2023
- Photographs
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Solar Panels at The Catholic University of America
- The Catholic University of America (DC)
Solar Panels at The Catholic University of America.
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
- Photographs
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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.