UCLA’s landscape is nationally recognized for its beauty, but also for its biodiversity. Our landscape provides respite and connection, as well as habitat for campus wildlife, as highlighted in this recent UCLA Magazine piece, Pockets of Paradise on Campus . In recent years we have begun to transition ornamental turf areas to native and climate-resilient plants, as well as activating outdoor study spaces. This allows us to reduce our campus water usage, while developing new habitats for plant and animal species.
In order to ensure the unique beauty of our campus landscape transforms with new environmental realities, we have updated the UCLA Landscape Plan (PDF). The plan, as well as the Appendices (PDF) , provide a vision for the campus landscape that can guide the transitions to more native and climate-resilient plants and create a holistic approach as our campus evolves. The plan reflects the input of students, staff, and faculty, led by the Landscape and Ecology Task Force, and the many people who responded to the request for input online. The plan supports UCLA’s comprehensive Sustainability Plan, in its water, landscape and biodiversity, and planetary health and human health sections.
In support of the new plan, UCLA Facilities Management groundskeepers recently completed the California Native Plant Landscaper Certification through the Theodore Payne Foundation.
We are grateful to all who contributed to the development of the updated plan and to those who reviewed the draft plan and provided comments. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@ucla.edu.
