University of South Florida (Tampa)
IN-4: Innovation 4

In its new Tampa Campus Master Plan update, USF has outlined a cross-campus Greenway, anchored by the USF Botanical Garden at the southwest corner of campus and by the Eco-Area (a biological reserve) in the northeast corner. These two preserves are linked by a “no-build, no-disturb” Greenway belt that protects wildlife, links habitat islands, provides opportunities for recreation, and aggregates storm water for ponds. The Greenway has been incrementally developed through the phased implementation of the long-term storm water management plan, the implementation of related landscape improvements, development of built edges through decisive placement of future buildings along the edges of the Greenway, and completion of circulation routes linking one area of the Greenway to another. These efforts have resulted in joining habitat islands, reducing heat islands, improving students’ direct relationship with local flora and fauna, and providing increased opportunities for both active and passive recreation and improved pedestrian flow. In addition, parts of the Greenway (especially the forestry reserve, recreational forest, and Botanical Garden) actively sequester carbon dioxide and thus provide offsets for the campus’ carbon footprint.