Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.38
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date March 1, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Cornell University
IN-25: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Sustainable Landscapes Trail

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
The Sustainable Landscapes Trail highlights the sustainable design and ecosystems services of living laboratory designed natural spaces across campus. A digital map and physical trail features open spaces, natural areas, and landscapes with unique sustainability features which encourage community members to appreciate and understand the human and planetary wellness features of the natural campus landscape. Spots include bioswales designed by students which protect a parking area, and natural and native plantings across prominent academic spaces. With a combined emphasis on education and encouraging appreciation of nature, the trail highlights our campus commitment to creating a sustainability culture for people and planet. This initiative was launched in 2017 and was developed by the Land Team of the President’s Campus Sustainability Committee, which is made up of members from faculty in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture, the Grounds Department, Infrastructure, Properties and Planning, and Cornell Botanical Gardens, and includes a mix of engaged students, faculty, and staff at all levels who collaborate and innovate together. The trail helps fulfill the Green Infrastructure innovation goal of the Cornell Climate Action Plan. This contributes to the goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035. One of the goals of the Sustainability Landscapes Trail is that the landscape should support the goals of Nature Rx, “to reduce stress and thereby increase physical and mental health in students through their engagement with nature, and to cultivate in students an increased appreciation of nature”.

Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Campus Enagement
Public Engagement

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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