GGC
GREEN GROUNDS CERTIFICATION
Meet the schools pioneering the transition to organic land care. These schools have committed to reducing and/or eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilizers on their campus grounds, earning them the Green Grounds Certification. Green Grounds Certified Campuses are creating campus environments that not only promote the well-being of their community but also exemplify a profound commitment to environmental health. These schools are nurturing biodiversity and actively confronting the challenges of climate change by creating climate resilient spaces. You can find the standards for the Certification here. Ready to join the movement? Apply for the Green Grounds Certification here. If you have questions or would like to connect with any of the certified schools, please email us at campus@rewild.org.
Platinum Campuses
Seattle University
Point of contact: Shannon Britton, Assistant Director Grounds and Waste Management
Percent of campus managed without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers: 100%
Level of certification: Platinum
What impresses us: The entire campus has been fully organic and synthetic pesticide and herbicide free since 1986.
Plan for improvement: Seattle University plans on exploring organic fertilizer options for sports fields which occasionally require a synthetic fertilizer in cool seasons.
University of Washington Bothell
Point of contact: Tyson Kemper, Grounds Supervisor of University of Washington, Bothell and Cascadia College
Percent of campus managed without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers: 100%
Level of certification: Platinum
What impresses us: Cascadia College and UW Bothell created a Food Forest. With over 30 fruit trees, it is a living laboratory and provides healthy food for the community.
Plan for improvement: Cascadia College and UW Bothell would like to expand their no mow areas to include all of the campus lawns.
Cascadia College
Point of contact: Tyson Kemper, Grounds Supervisor of University of Washington, Bothell and Cascadia College
Percent of campus managed without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers: 100%
Level of certification: Platinum
What impresses us: Cascadia College and UW Bothell created a Food Forest. With over 30 fruit trees, it is a living laboratory and provides healthy food for the community.
Plan for improvement: Cascadia College and UW Bothell would like to expand their no mow areas to include all of the campus lawns.
UT Austin Dell Medical School
Point of contact: Justin Hayes, Landscape Supervisor
Percent of campus managed without synthetic pesticides: 100%
Level of certification: Platinum
What impresses us: The Dell Medical School integrates native species into the landscape and uses compost and compost teas to increase soil water retention. The campus has a 27,000 gallon cistern that collects water from their 20,000 sq ft rooftop garden and feeds the sprinkler system.
Plan for improvement: The school is working to increase the presence of native species on campus with a goal of cultivating a campus that has little to no invasive species or non-native plants.
Gold Campuses
Colby College
Point of contact: Maddie LoDico, Director of Sustainability
Percent of campus managed without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers: 99%
Level of certification: Gold
What impresses us: Colby College is intentionally creating low input (both nutrient and labor) landscapes to let nature and wildlife take over.
Plan for improvement: If Colby can get the Rugby field irrigated they have future plans to manage the field organically.
Bronze Campuses
University of Northern Iowa
Point of contact: Eric O'Brien, Sustainability Coordinator
Percent of campus managed without synthetic pesticides: 60%
Level of certification: Bronze
What impresses us: University of Northern Iowa is home to many native prairie grass restoration sites that foster local biodiversity.
Plan for improvement: There is a significant desire to pilot a number of different organic management practices on campus with an end goal of implementation on a larger scale, which is why UNI is enrolling in our organic pilot program.
University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
Point of contact: Claire Runquist, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Percent of campus managed without synthetic pesticides: 62%
Level of certification: Bronze
What impresses us: UMBC has established a Landscape Stewardship Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and advising on landscape projects and practices, with a focus on promoting ecological health and eliminating synthetic pesticide use.
Plan for improvement: UMBC's Campus Landscape Master Plan sets out ways that the school will prioritize practices that promote ecological health and eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides, including implementing an IPM program, encouraging biodiversity, promoting healthy soil, using organic fertilizers, and engaging the campus community.
