Stetson University Native Plant Initiative
The Stetson University Native Plant Initiative is a broad initiative with many programs. The impact of this initiative affects our shared world, well beyond the grounds and facilities of the University.
Environmental responsibility is one of the core values affirmed by Stetson University as demonstrated by the signing of the Talloires Declaration. A proclamation of environmental responsibility implies an obligation to pursue the preservation of our environment for future generations. Utilizing plants that are native to Florida fosters landscape values based on the access to a healthy and sustainable environment.
Florida has more endangered ecosystems than any other state. The subtropical Floridian climate is ideally suited to a variety of plant species, making our state particularly susceptible to exotic plant invasion. Although not all exotic plant species aggressively invade natural communities, the grounds of Stetson University harbor several that do. To enhance environmentally responsible campus operation, the University is moving toward the elimination of those invasive exotic plants as listed by Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Florida.
Exotic plants, both invasive and non-invasive, have negatively impacted more than 1.7 million acres of Florida. A campus landscape of native plant species reinforces our commitment to environmental responsibility by departing from the often-detrimental landscape practices occurring throughout our state. This departure implies that we, as a university, attribute an inherent worth to natural ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain. A landscape that reintroduces native species promotes biological diversity while raising the ecological awareness of the campus community. The reintroduction of native species sets an ecological example for both on and off-campus communities, presents educational potential and provides noteworthy distinction.