For UNO, water and sustainable sites are important due to the location of the Dodge, Scott, and Center campuses in the Little Papillion Creek watershed and because water is an important resource in Nebraska.
Water conservation practices — such as efficient fixtures and behavior changes — not only protect the environment but can also save money. Traditional landscaping practices require a great deal of water, energy, labor, and other resources. By maintaining the campus landscape in a more sustainable manner, the university is able to conserve resources, reduce waste, and prevent pollution.
Sustainability Vision
Water is efficiently used within buildings and prudently used in landscaping. Rainfall is managed so as to meet a portion of campus needs.
Initiatives
General Water & Landscaping Programs
- Building renovations and retrofits utilize current code prescribed water saving fixtures (low flow toilets, urinals, shower heads, and faucets).
- Rainfall sensitive irrigation controllers are being retrofitted to campus irrigation systems.
- Tree branches and yard waste is collected and taken to Terry Hughes Tree Service, where it is mulched and returned to UNO for landscaping use.
- Corn-derived de-icer has replaced salt for use on circulation roads in winter.
Nature Preserves
- Glacier Creek Preserve
- This 320 acre preserve is dedicated to the study and appreciation of the tallgrass prairie and associated ecosystems of eastern Nebraska.
- T.L. Davis Prairie
- This 25 acre preserve is managed to provide habitat for loess bluff prairie biota and to support teaching and research efforts.
- Turkey Creek Preserve
- This 595 acre preserve supports a diverse mix of restored tallgrass prairie and savanna, woodland, lake, and creek habitats.
Turfgrass Replacement
- Fescue and Buffalograss have replaced Bluegrass as the turfgrass of choice.
- Native tallgrass planting have been added in place of traditional turfgrass.
- Ornamental grasses, rockscapes, and perennial plantings have replaced turfgrass in many places.
Sustainable Site Features
- Bioretention Garden (Welcome Center)
- Captures stormwater collected from rooftops, paved areas, and landscaping after each storm event and infiltrates the runoff into the soil within 12-24 hours.
- UNO Native Garden
- Located between Kayser Hall & Roskens Hall, this Indigenous Garden is home to native and food producing plants.
- CEC Rain Garden
- Located between the CEC and CPACS, this rain garden represents the best of community partnerships and campus engagement while creating a beautiful biodiverse habitat for butterflies and people.
Arbor Day Foundation's 'Tree Campus USA'
- UNO has achieved 'Tree Campus USA' recognition each year since 2010.
- To be eligible, a school must meet the following requirements:
- Tree Campus Advisory Team
- Campus Tree Care Plan
- Campus Tree Program with dedicated annual expenditures
- An annual Arbor Day Observance
- Service Learning Opportunities