Biodiversity

Each is in a position to not only create a sustainable identity for itself, but also serve as a model of sustainability for the surrounding community and to promote meaningful change.

Terrestrial ecosystems

ASU prioritizes conserving, restoring, and sustainably using ecosystems in new projects to support native species, mitigate urban heat, and adapt to climate change.

• Read more: Site Improvements Design Guidelines.

The ASU Arboretum is registered with national plant collections organizations, showcasing native and desert-adapted species.

• Read more: ASU Tree Campus USA.

The ASU Arboretum collection is registered with the North American Plant Collections Consortium and the American Association of Botanic Gardens and Arboretums.

• Read more: ASU Arboretum.

All new ASU buildings must achieve LEED Silver certification, avoiding development on sensitive lands and following Sustainable Design Guidelines.

• Read more: Sustainable Design Guidelines.

The Carbon Sink and Learning Forest at ASU West campus, with 1,000 trees, serves as a living lab for carbon sequestration research and learning.

• For more information about the ASU Carbon Project, email University Sustainability Practices.

ASU collaborates with cities like Phoenix to plant native trees, reducing carbon emissions and the urban heat island effect while enhancing community spaces.

Species

ASU uses drought-tolerant, non-invasive plants adapted to climate change, ensuring landscapes conserve water and exclude invasive species.

• Read more: Please see Site Improvements Design Guidelines above.

Endangered species on ASU property are identified, cataloged, and managed in compliance with conservation standards.

• Read more: FDM Project Guidelines.

ASU is an IUCN Red List partner, supporting global biodiversity efforts and providing a living laboratory for species conservation research.

• Read more: ASU-IUCN partnership.

ASU houses a living laboratory for students to add to conservation’s understanding of behavior, biology, and habitat needs.

• Read more: Burrowing owls at ASU Polytechnic.

Biodiversity Assessment

ASU assesses endangered and vulnerable species using IPaC and IUCN Red List data, identifying critical campus habitats.

Regular biodiversity updates guide watershed planning and invasive species management, addressing habitats for 17 identified species, including fish and migratory species.

• Read more: ASU’s Biodiversity Assessment. 

Watershed

ASU’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) reduces pollutants, manages runoff, and ensures compliance with environmental regulations to protect the watershed.

• Read more: Stormwater Management Program.

Designs include bioswales, drywells, and retention basins for stormwater control, with efforts to capture rainwater and protect the Salt River ecosystem.

Green infrastructure minimizes flood and chemical impacts on watersheds, with urban ecological infrastructure enhancing stormwater quality and management.

• Read more: Eco-hydrological monitoring.

ASU’s framework integrates biodiversity planning, rewilding, and climate adaptation across its campuses in the Sonoran Desert biome.

Rewilding initiatives improve water conservation, soil health, air quality, and campus biodiversity while fostering connections to nature.

Data collected from rewilded and non-rewilded areas inform strategies for creating climate-resilient urban landscapes benefiting both humans and nature.

• Read more: ASU's Sustainable Urban Ecology research.