Every Drop Counts: UNC’s Landscape Water Resiliency Plan

At UNC, we’re known for our commitment to belonging, excellence and community, not only in our classrooms and programs, but also in the outdoor spaces where our campus community gathers and connects.

UNC’s 260-acre campus includes more than 90 acres of maintained green space and ensuring these outdoor environments can support campus life requires thoughtful water stewardship. UNC has long been intentional about how it uses water across its expansive campus. This plan builds on that foundation. With 40% of UNC’s water supply drawn from the increasingly stressed Colorado River, the university is committed to building on its careful stewardship of one of Colorado’s most precious natural resources.

That’s where the UNC Landscape Irrigation Water Resiliency Plan, a comprehensive, community-informed effort to guide how our campus manages water for the next decade and beyond, comes into play.

Rowing, Not Drifting

The project is anchored by UNC’s Rowing, Not Drifting 2030 strategic plan and developed in partnership with the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

For the last six months, the Facilities Management team and Norris Design have been assessing vegetation, irrigation systems and water use across campus to develop practical strategies for conservation, sustainability and cost savings.

The project has identified five strategic opportunity types from large non-functional turf areas and thin turf bands to stormwater management zones and building foundation plantings. Each has specific renovation goals and measurable water savings potential. If fully implemented, these changes could save millions of gallons annually and significantly reduce maintenance costs.

“Through this work, UNC is creating a thoughtful, long-term framework for how we care for our campus landscape in a changing climate,” said UNC President Andy Feinstein. “By aligning our practices with the realities of water availability, we’re ensuring that our outdoor spaces continue to serve our community while responsibly stewarding this vital resource for future generations of Bears.”

Bears Weighed In

Last fall, nearly 200 students, faculty, staff and alumni gave feedback through surveys and community outreach events ranging from the 2025 State of the University address, a community farmers market to last fall’s Homecoming game. The message was clear: 96% of respondents consider water conservation important, and nearly 80% are very supportive of conservation efforts on campus.

Respondents also shared what they love about UNC’s landscape, including shade trees, flowering plants and spaces like Gunter Green and the Xeric Community Garden. Now these priorities are shaping where and how improvements will be made.

Next Steps

Facilities Management and Norris Design are wrapping up draft recommendations and still want to hear from the campus community. The final plan will be available in September and will map out how improvements get funded, next steps on implementation and work with community partners.