Grounds & Sustainable Landscapes

Facilities Management approaches campus landscaping from a systems perspective, with the goal of creating a more progressive, species-diverse, and sustainable environment for the CSU community.


Lagoon Renovation

The CSU Lagoon was redesigned to reduce evaporation and improve stormwater quality while creating a more accessible and engaging campus space.

Water Quality

Improves water quality through natural filtration.

Campus Access

Provides accessible walking paths and gathering areas.

Sustainability Goals

Supports campus wellness and sustainability goals.


Landscape Focus Areas

Sustainable landscapes support campus beauty, shade, habitat, water conservation, stormwater quality, and long-term resilience.

Campus Arboretum & Trees

Facilities Management is responsible for approximately 9,000 trees distributed across three campuses. Trees provide shade and cooling, enhance campus beauty, help protect against wind, and improve air quality.

Pollinators & Bee Campus USA

Facilities Management promotes best practices for creating pollinator-friendly spaces across campus, including the installation and maintenance of pollinator gardens.

Integrated Pest Management

Facilities Management uses a holistic approach to managing animals, insects, and weeds through Integrated Pest Management procedures that align with environmentally responsible practices.

 

Irrigation & Drought Response

Since the drought of 2002–03, CSU has managed irrigation through a water budget and targeted conservation practices, resulting in a 25–30% reduction in irrigation water use.

3%

Of Colorado’s total water consumption is used for irrigated landscapes.

96%

Of campus irrigation water comes from non-potable sources.

25–30%

Reduction in irrigation water use since CSU adopted its drought-response approach.


Water Use Overview

CSU uses a combination of allocated irrigation water, reuse opportunities, and conservation practices to support campus landscapes and reduce reliance on treated domestic water.

Annual Irrigation Budget

Approximately 650 acre-feet of water are used within CSU’s annual irrigation budget, with 400 acre-feet allocated specifically for irrigation under state water law.

Hydraulic Laboratory Reuse

On average, over half of the water used on campus each year has a first use in hydraulics experiments at the CSU Hydraulic Laboratory. Smaller experiments recirculate that water.

Evaporative Cooling

Some water is used for evaporative cooling, reducing the need for treated domestic water in campus cooling systems.

Runoff Return Flow

Water not absorbed for plant growth or used for cooling returns as runoff flow to the Poudre River, creating an additional environmental benefit.


Ongoing Water Conservation Measures

CSU uses targeted landscape and irrigation practices to reduce water use while supporting healthy, resilient campus grounds.

Reduction of irrigated turf areas.

Use of native and low-water-use adapted plant materials.

Watering based on evapotranspiration rates of managed plant materials.

Flow sensors on major system legs to detect excess flow and shut off water.

Pilot use of soil moisture sensors tied to irrigation controls.

Central irrigation controls with smartphone access.

Watering within a 12–13 hour nighttime irrigation window.


Why This Matters

Sustainable landscape management balances water conservation with the economic, public-health, and environmental value of an irrigated, appropriately landscaped, and fully stocked urban forest.

Balanced Drought Response

A successful drought response plan must balance conservation with the broader value of campus landscapes, trees, shade, habitat, and outdoor spaces.

Landscape Value

The CSU Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department has published research on the hidden values of landscapes that helps quantify these broader benefits.



Questions About Campus Landscapes?

Facilities Management Customer Service can help direct your request or connect you with the appropriate team.