Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.98
Liaison Kevin Miller
Submission Date Feb. 3, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Goshen College
IN-2: Innovation 2

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

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Prairie Restoration program promotes ecological benefits

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

Goshen College has been in the process of restoring a significant portion of campus turf lawn to native prairie. Managing land as prairie is ecologically beneficial because it provides habitat for native wildlife, including insects that reduce the need for pesticides. Burning the prairie every few years increases its capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere and maintains a high level of biodiversity in the prairie. The fact that these prairies do not need to be mowed, watered, or otherwise tended provides substantial economic benefit to the college. Having these areas on campus is a substantial benefit for educational purposes due to the ecological studies that can be accomplished in them.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

The college has saved money in terms of grounds upkeep.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
Yes or No
Curriculum Yes
Research Yes
Campus Engagement Yes
Public Engagement No
Air & Climate Yes
Buildings No
Dining Services No
Energy No
Grounds Yes
Purchasing No
Transportation No
Waste No
Water No
Coordination, Planning & Governance No
Diversity & Affordability No
Health, Wellbeing & Work No
Investment No

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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