Planting Program
Stony Brook University boasts a robust Planting Program on campus designed to manage its tree care as well as beautify the campus throughout the academic calendar. Since 2009, Stony Brook has had over 15,000 plantings on campus, most of which were cultivated in the university's very own Greenhouse located on campus. Stony Brook University was recognized for their planting efforts by the Arbor Day Foundation when they were named a Tree Campus USA member in 2013. They have since been reclassified as a Tree Campus member each subsequent year.
Greenhouse
In the Spring of 2009, Stony Brook completed construction on a 60'x25' greenhouse at the Research and Development Park. The greenhouse is used to cultivate most of the annual plants used in the landscaping on Campus. By growing these annuals in our very own greenhouse, the Grounds department is able to recycle materials already in inventory, save energy and reduce the University's carbon footprint. The University has also seen a reduction in the costs associated with purchasing landscape plants from off campus nurseries. The plants grown in the greenhouse are used at all entrances to the University, as well as in flower beds and planters around buildings and some flower beds along interior roadways and bike paths. The majority of the plantings are done by University Grounds employees, although they receive assistance from student, faculty and staff volunteers during the school year.
Tree Campus USA
Stony Brook University has been recognized by The Arbor Day Foundation as a “Tree Campus USA” member each year since 2013. The Tree Campus USA program recognizes college and university campuses that effectively manage trees and engage students. In order to be recognized by the program, universities must meet the following five core standards for effective campus forest management:
- Establishment of a tree advisory committee
- Evidence of a campus tree-care plan
- Dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program
- Observance of Arbor Day
- Sponsorship of student service-learning projects
Growing Red Days
Growing Red Days allow SBU students, faculty and staff a chance to give back to the university by helping to beautify the campus through various planting projects. The program, which has already seen great success in its first 5 years of existence, consists of designated days where all students, faculty and staff are invited to help in a specific planting and beautifying project on campus. The efforts of Stony Brook University's Office of Sustainability and the Grounds staff are continuing the tradition of dedicated beautification efforts that have worked to enhance the campus in the past.