Pollinator Program Mission
UT Landscape Services seeks to raise awareness of the vital role native pollinators play in the landscape. We strive for the creation and maintenance of safe, sustainable, and beautiful landscapes that provide pollinator habitat by increasing native plants, nesting sites, and reduced pesticide use. We also seek to fulfill our broader sustainability goals by building ecological diversity, providing immersive spaces to promote the University’s educational mission and supporting opportunities to educate the campus community about pollinator conservation.
Campus Pollinator Habitats
UT Orchard & Pollinator Garden
This garden is an urban orchard located along Waller Creek just north of E. 24th St. showcasing both native and adapted fruit trees and shrubs that do well in the challenging soils and climate of Central Texas. The pollinator garden was planted in April of 2016 as part of our “Bees and Trees” Tree Campus USA service learning event. It contains both native and adapted plants that provide food and habitat to attract and sustain beneficial pollinators for the orchard. To learn more about this area, visit our virtual StoryMap.
Texas Swim Center Pollinator Garden
This garden is located on the south side of Texas Swim Center, our second pollinator garden on campus was planted in June of 2017 as a campus beautification project with staff from the UT College of Natural Resources. It is a mix of native and adapted shrubs, perennials, and milkweed designed to attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Dell Medical District Landscape
This award-winning landscape was created as part of the 16.2 acre medical district development in 2017 and included removal of invasive species, heritage tree preservation, stream bank stabilization and re-vegetation with a diverse mix of native species.
Little Blue Prairie
This area is a Blackland pocket prairie located west of the Student Services Building. Originally funded by the Green Fund and established by Campus Environmental Center students, Landscape Services now manages the site. Landscape Services partnered with student leaders to select prairie and pollinator plants, started seed in our greenhouse, and provided support, expertise and staff for installation. The prairie and its student leaders were showcased in an April 2020 episode of Central Texas Gardener.
UT is a Bee Campus USA
UT Austin earned the designation of Bee Campus USA in 2020, officially recognizing our campus for meeting a set of commitments for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators. This annual designation is managed by student leaders of the Beevo Beekeeping Society and supported by ongoing collaboration with UT Office of Sustainability, UT Landscape Services, Campus Environmental Center and The Jha Lab.
Campus Pollinator Habitat Plan
Landscape Services is a key partner to maintaining this designation with a campus pollinator habitat plan that promotes pollinator habitat and minimizes pesticide use. This includes:
• Plant and Pollinator Habitat List (XLS)
• Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care Plan (PDF)
