The Sustainable Heart of SCU’s Top-Ranked Landscape
Rooted in community care, SCU's Arbor Day tree planting highlights the ecological stewardship that shapes the beautiful campus where we learn, work, and live.
What puts SCU in the Top 10 most beautiful college campuses in the nation?
It’s more than just the sun-drenched mission architecture and wisteria-covered trellises that landed our campus the Number 6 spot in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s recent roundup. At the Center for Sustainability, we know that Santa Clara’s postcard-perfect views are rooted in the ethical intention of our planting and the sustainability beneath our shaded canopies. And this Earth Day, Broncos gathered to celebrate that conscious commitment to eco-friendly landscaping at our annual Arbor Day Tree Planting.
Rooted in Care, Grown in Community
Students, staff and community members got their hands dirty as they took turns planting three new drought-tolerant, heat-resistant trees along Graham Commons. We also had a group of tiny helping hands from Kids on Campus, as these future Broncos lined up with their shovels to take part in the fun.
“Thank you all for taking the time to plant trees with us,” remarked Samuel Waterman, California Climate Action Corps fellow with the Center for Sustainability. “You are a part of a wider movement to build a more sustainable future.” CCAC is a state-funded program that places emerging climate professionals at host sites like SCU. Samuel, along with fellows Sophia Kennedy and Iris Yuh, work on campus to incentivize grassroots climate action movements related to urban greening, edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency.
This year also marks Santa Clara University's 11th year as a certified Tree Campus, a remarkable milestone that reflects over a decade of genuine commitment to our campus environment. To earn this designation, a university must meet five Tree Campus USA standards each year, including leading a student service-learning project, developing a Campus Tree Care Plan, and hosting an Arbor Day observance like this year’s tree planting. And Santa Clara has gone beyond the requirements with a pledge to plant at least two trees for every one removed, meaning our tree coverage has grown steadily year after year.
Designing Beauty with Intention
As Santa Clara University’s recent beautiful college campus ranking illustrates, sustainable planting can respect resources without sacrificing splendor. SCU’s landscaping plan balances stunning grounds with stewardship of our common home. Today, 71% of campus landscaping is irrigated with recycled water, reducing reliance on potable water and moving the University closer to its goal of 100% ecologically managed landscaping by 2030. Smart irrigation systems, including rain sensors and advanced leak detection, help ensure that every drop is used thoughtfully. Across campus, native and low-water plants reflect the natural history of the Santa Clara Valley. These choices support local ecosystems while showing that water-conscious landscapes can still feel lush and welcoming.
Santa Clara’s nationally-recognized beauty goes deeper than what the eye can see. Caring for our common home is a shared responsibility that grows when there is an active connection between people and place. It’s embedded in the University’s Impact 2030 Foundational Commitment to “Employ sustainable operational practices in procurement, waste management, water use, and landscaping.” It drives our Leading Through Laudato Si’ sustainability plan strategy to achieve 100% ecologically managed landscaping to meet social, cultural, and ecosystem needs.
“None of this happens by accident,” Nora McBride ‘28, Resource Management Sustainability Coordinator at the Center for Sustainability reminded those gathered on Arbor Day. “Today's planting is a perfect example of commitment in action.” She offered appreciation to SCU’s Facilities team, “whose tireless work keeps our trees healthy and thriving.” She also thanked the students who volunteer their time to help document our trees during weekly Tree Trackers sessions, gathering data that is essential to renewing our Tree Campus status. The event was part of tUrn Climate Week, dedicated to offering sustainability-related events that connect and drive action.
The next time you marvel at our gorgeous campus, take a moment to appreciate the impact of sustainable landscaping, and reflect on how you can be a part of keeping our campus beautiful from the ground up.
Ways to Dig In
🌳Tree Trackers - Meet Tuesdays & Wednesdays afternoons in the SCDI Courtyard. Help us maintain our Tree Campus certification! Spend an hour outdoors monitoring on-campus trees using tools such as a vertex laser and a diameter measuring tape while gaining data gathering experience.
🏅Earn Playbook Badges - Select from over 250 sustainable to earn badges in categories such as Environment, Climate Action and Common Good. This quarter, earn our limited-edition SustainableSCU 20th Anniversary Badge by taking ANY 3 Learn, Live, and Lead actions!
Here are 3 actions that will earn you the Environment Badge and the 20th Anniversary Badge:
Become a Tree Tracker -> LEARN | Take short showers -> LIVE | Meet outside ->LEAD
