UNC has been recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) as one of the nation's most attractive campuses. Grounds Services maintains the trees, the grass, and the beautiful flowers that grace our historical campus.
Using old fashioned hard work in combination with new technologies, our Groundskeepers employ state-of-the-art erosion and sediment control and tree protection strategies on all campus construction projects, and they work closely with landscape architects to rigorously manage stormwater on campus through the use of rain gardens, stormwater sedimentation ponds, and rain sensors in the irrigation system.
In 2006-07, Grounds Supervisors sponsored an innovative stormwater landscape competition which recognized crews for creative projects that increase a targeted area's beauty and stormwater efficiency.
Other sustainable practices include recycling of landscape debris, integrated pest management, and changes in planting strategies. UNC is also transitioning to drip irrigation, which will be installed in the shrub beds at new capital projects.
The Grounds Department began actively managing the Carolina North property in July 2007 by hiring a warden. An initial staff of four will coordinate trail maintenance and placement and supervise removal of exotic, invasive plants.
The Chancellor's Task Force on Heritage Landscape has completed its report on the culturally, historically, & ecologically significant trees & landscaped spaces of the campus.