How Groundskeeping Keeps Our Campus Grounded in Sustainability
The College of Charleston Grounds team works hard to keep our campus not just beautiful, but sustainable, as well.
Above: Groundskeeper Becca Hodges works on the bed around the fountain behind Randolph Hall. (Photo by Catie Cleveland)
You know the Grounds Crew works hard. You can see the results of their efforts all over campus: in the beds of every courtyard, within the arrangement of every planter, along the borders of every pathway. The beautiful landscaping of the College of Charleston campus is always front and center.
What might not be so obvious to the casual observer, however, is the hard work the team has put in behind the scenes to make our campus more sustainable. But these efforts are no less impressive – and they deserve a little recognition, too.
Thankfully, they don’t go unnoticed.
The Arbor Day Foundation, for example, has noticed, recognizing the College as a Tree Campus Higher Education.
“Our efforts support the College’s recognition as a Tree Campus USA for five consecutive years, reflecting a long‑term commitment to canopy care and ecological commitment,” says Verneil Phillips, grounds manager, noting the creation of a Google Maps College of Charleston Tree Map. “The hard work that the Grounds team provides to this campus takes a lot of dedication every day. It does not happen without the passion and knowledge these guys have and learn when they join the CofC team.”
The Tree Campus USA designation “reflects the dedication of the College’s Grounds team – true stewards of the campus landscape – whose work is now nationally recognized through this certification,” Nicole Killen, the director of the Center for Sustainable Development, reported to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in the STARS Grounds Certification. “Their ongoing efforts ensure that the College remains a vibrant, sustainable and environmentally responsible place to learn and work.”
The Grounds team also made significant contributions to the AASHE STARS Gold rating that the College received earlier this year.
Common Grounds for Sustainability
The contributions that the Grounds team has made to sustainability touch every corner of campus – and involve collaborating with people from every corner, too.
For that, the Center for Sustainability couldn’t be more appreciative.
“They are a huge partner in making projects happen around campus,” says Killen, pointing to sustainable investments like electric equipment.
“The Grounds team continues to strengthen its partnership with campus sustainability by shifting 90% of our equipment to battery‑powered tools and expanding environmentally focused landscaping practices,” says Phillips, noting their use of electric mowers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers and weed trimmers.
“The team has reduced noise, emissions and fuel use while maintaining the historic beauty of campus,” he continues. “The Grounds team loves to grab the electric equipment first because it is easier to use, lighter and just as efficient as the old gas equipment.”
Another investment Grounds has made toward sustainability is expanding native garden spaces like those in front of the Department of International Studies (9 Glebe St.) and at the Avery Research Center – with more to come.
By hosting seasonal flower plantings and leading native plant tours, they show that it is easy and fun to make a difference – especially when it’s done as part of a community effort.
Building native plant gardens is an opportunity to engage students, faculty and staff, too. The team even repurposes used coffee grounds from Starbucks to naturally adjust soil pH, turning hydrangeas from pink to blue and demonstrating how creative, low‑waste practices can enhance campus landscapes.
“As a team, we truly enjoy working with students, faculty and staff to bring culture, connection and sustainable practices to campus,” says Phillips. “It takes teamwork to spread joy and a shared sense of dedication across this beautiful campus.”
