Campus Goals

Healthy environments

U-M’s healthy environments goals focuses on pursuing land and water management, built environment and product sourcing strategies aimed toward improving the health of ecosystems and communities.
2025 Goal
Purchase 20 percent of U-M food from local and sustainable sources by 2025.
Status for FY2019
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
Goal Complete. Achieved
54%
reduction in chemical applications to campus landscapes
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

Michigan Dining — in collaboration with Central Student Government, Office of Campus Sustainability and MHealthy — hosts several M Farmers Market events in September and October. Additionally, there are weekly M Farmers Market produce stands in selected locations across campus from May through the summer.

Goal data reflects temporary pandemic-related impacts and may not accurately convey the overall trajectory of progress.

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