A landscape heritage and plant diversity task force is working to better protect historic trees and diversify the plant species that make up the campus landscape. A GIS-based tree inventory has been completed and is being loaded onto the Grounds website.

Guidelines for campus plantings specify where to place certain plants for aesthetic, maintenance, and stormwater retention purposes. More native plants and fewer "green meatballs" (plants that require frequent watering and other maintenance) will be introduced in the future. New staff positions include a landscape architect and a campus arborist.

A tree protection program was launched at Carolina in 1999. The program requires that all of the construction documents for each capital project include a tree protection plan indicating which trees can go and which must stay. Protection strategies include fencing, geotextile and mulch soil covers, and logging mats.