Planting Roots: USD’s Campus Community Expands Native Planting Efforts
Supported by the Green Initiative Fund (GIF), the project aims to enhance the aesthetic and ecological health of USD’s campus while demonstrating the long-term impact of cross-campus collaboration.
The project brought together students, faculty, and staff from the Department of Sustainability & Environment, the Environmental Club, University Art Galleries, Grounds and Facilities, and the President’s Joint Committee on Sustainability (PJCOS).
“Sustainability is a team sport, and it was great to see an idea that drew on the strengths of so many parts of the university,” said Joseph Kantenbacher, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Sustainability & Environment, PJCOS member and preliminary reviewer for the GIF grant. “There are so many people on campus who have an interest in sustainability in one form or another, and projects like this can increase those networks of like-minded individuals.”
USD’s shared commitment to sustainability was on full display as students installed the plants near East Hall and in the Sculpture Garden.
The result was a creative, collaborative effort that gave students an opportunity to manage a real-world sustainability project from start to finish, with a structured framework and the ability to determine project specifics, including species selection, planting design and coordination with campus partners.
“This project allowed me to gain hands-on experience in an area directly related to my interests and gave me practical experience in the field of sustainability,” said Haley Anciaux '25, biology and sustainability graduate.
“A goal we all have is to help students learn how to build these connections,” said Melissa Tabke, coordinator of the Opportunity Center, member of PJCOS and preliminary reviewer for the GIF grant. “It enables them to think through the logistics of introducing a new initiative to campus, not just during their time on campus, but after they leave, and to navigate the coordination and connection with campus stakeholders.”
That focus on applied, real-world learning is echoed by Meghann Jarchow, Ph.D., chair and professor in the Department of Sustainability & Environment, who sees the university itself as a platform for discovery.
“The project contributed to USD’s willingness to let campus function as a learning laboratory for our students, which is incredibly important,” said Jarchow. “It is important to provide students opportunities to learn, and the campus is a great place for students to have authentic learning experiences."
With the end of the school year, ongoing maintenance of the installations has transitioned to campus partners. Nate Steele, director of Grounds & Landscaping, will oversee the East Hall installation, while Amy Fill, USD gallery director, will continue managing the Sculpture Garden area.
To celebrate student involvement and raise awareness, future sustainability efforts may include the integration of the plants into USD’s Sustainability Walking Tour and the potential to host a PJCOS meeting in the Sculpture Garden. The PJCOS also encourages students to apply for GIF and take an active role in shaping a greener campus.
About the Green Initiative Fund
GIF addresses challenges facing our planet by granting students financial resources to make long-lasting environmental improvements on campus. The fund gives students the opportunity to learn project planning and implementation skills while generating ideas, pride, and momentum to inspire further action in our community.
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