The University of Arizona

Land & Environment

Challenge

Land cover changes are rampant across rural Arizona, brought on by drought, exotic species, urban sprawl, groundwater overdraft, forest mismanagement, and wildfire. At the same time, our cities are impacted by urban heat island effects. The University of Arizona shall lead by example by creating a greener campus that showcases energy-efficient buildings and water-efficient landscapes, while researching how best to preserve and restore critical habitats, reduce erosion, and engineer more sustainable built environments.

Goals

  • Decrease energy and water use on campus through design and construction of green buildings, drought-tolerant landscaping, and rainwater harvesting.
  • Improve understanding of the impacts of climate fluctuation and change, population growth, and land-use changes on critical habitat zones, including riparian areas and sky islands.
  • Work with land managers to discover the range of conditions over which native plant species thrive and invasive species are held in check.

Conservation


Green Building


Built Environment