Columbia University
OP-T2-19: Native Plants

Columbia follows the original Frederick Law Olmsted landscaping plans and prioritizes the use of adaptive plant species. Only a handful of species are resilient enough to withstand the harsh city environment, careful consideration goes to choosing varieties that are pollution-resistant and these varieties are most often used. Despite pollution concerns, Columbia makes consistent efforts to include as many native species as the campus’ environment allows. Further, Facilities experts in landscaping and ground management lead tours of the University's gardens. The University received an award in the Professional Grounds Management Society’s (PGMS)’s 2010 Green Star Awards competition. CUMC has been an active participant in bringing back the New York apple tree. Additional plantings around grounds contain about 10% native plants, but there are efforts in place to transition current perennials and shrubs to more native species, which future plantings in upcoming seasons will contain. Zero Floor harvest sedum - a local plant sourced from Upstate New York- that supplies Columbia’s greenroofs. Zero Harvest cultivates plants from a farm within 2-300 miles of campus Additional information on Columbia's landscaping: http://facilities.columbia.edu/garden-tours