Sustainable Landscaping

The University of Delaware is committed to creating landscapes that are beautiful and sustainable. Sustainable landscaping is the science and art of growing or managing a landscape following the essential principles of soil building and conservation, pest management, and native or heritage species and preservation. The University of Delaware defines sustainable landscapes as those that create an attractive environment in balance with the local climate and require minimal resource inputs such as fertilizer, pesticides, fossil fuel consumption and supplied water. Depending on the strictness of the definition applied, roughly 10-15% of campus grounds can be classified as sustainable.

The University also applies sustainability into its landscape maintenance practices. The University uses organic fertilizer in certain locations and landscape waste (brush, etc) is chipped and composted into mulch and organic matter to be used for planting beds and mulch needs across campus. In new and replacement plantings, the University uses native species. Native plants bring environmental benefits and lower maintenance costs since they require less water and are not dependent on pesticides or herbicides for survival.

Check out some examples of UD’s Sustainable Landscapes at the following locations:

• Storm water basin at Dickson Complex
• Basin, bioswale and planting buffers at Hollingsworth Parking lot
• Planting buffer and retention at Courtney and Academy Streets
• Arrival Court at Roselle Center for the Arts

University of Delaware Botanical Gardens

UD Botanic Gardens contributes to an understanding of the changing relationships between plants and people through education, extension, research, and community support.

Education is a critical part of the mission of UD Botanic Gardens. UD Botanic Gardens is a research center, a laboratory, and a classroom in which studies in plant biology, botany, plant pathology, landscape design, ornamental horticulture, and entomology are pursued through experiential learning. It also maintains a diverse and dynamic living plant collection that stimulates and engages, with more than 3,000 species and cultivars of perennials, shrubs, and trees. We work hard to promote an understanding and appreciation of plants in the landscape and natural environment.

The University of Delaware has joined other colleges and universities in supporting these two sustainabiity initiatives:

Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future/Talloires Declaration: View a .pdf (20kb)

American University and Presidents Climate Commitment:
Visit the web site