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Healthy Environments

Established in 2011, U-M’s 2025 Ann Arbor campus healthy environments goals are dedicated toward helping communities and affected ecosystems. Goals involve food procurement and protecting the Huron River, respectively.

2025 Goal

Purchase 20 percent of U-M food from local and sustainable sources by 2025.

Status

19% U-M food purchased from local and sustainable sources

Farm to table

Established in 2012, this student project serves as the central hub of hands-on activity related to the production of sustainable food. Food is grown by students, harvested by students, prepared for students and consumed by students as well as faculty and staff at dining halls and cafes.

PARTICIPANTS
University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

2025 Goal

Protect the Huron River through stormwater-control strategies and reduce chemical applications to campus landscapes by 40 percent below 2006 levels.

Status: Achieved

The Ann Arbor campus achieved its goal to reduce chemical applications to campus landscapes by 40% in 2019—six years ahead of schedule. Learn more about ongoing efforts to improve upon this goal through sustainable grounds and stormwater management.

Other Highlights

Achieved chemical reduction goal

U-M met its goal largely by ​moving toward​ the use ​of ​organic fertilizer rather than synthetic fertilizers. Organic fertilizer comprises an estimated 75 percent of the fertilizer used by Grounds Services, and 20 percent of​ ​the fertilizer​ ​used by Radrick Farms and the U-M Golf Courses. Grounds Services also is piloting a low impact broadleaf weed control on approximately 25 percent of campus, including the Diag. In addition, there are campus-wide efforts to expand naturalized areas, such as prairie and woodlots, which require fewer land management chemicals and are better suited to handle stormwater.

Bringing more fresh food to campus

In 2021, students launched an on-campus Farm Stand selling produce grown at the Campus Farm. Additionally, Michigan Dining — in collaboration with Central Student Government, Office of Campus Sustainability and MHealthy — hosts several M Farmers Market events in September and October and there are weekly M Farmers Market produce stands across campus in the summer.

Bee Campus USA

In 2022, the Ann Arbor campus became certified as a Bee Campus USA, reflecting its commitment to protecting pollinators.

For more information about U-M’s sustainability goals, visit the Office of Campus Sustainability.