PGMS Landscape Management Accreditation

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) is a nationally recognized organization that brings together grounds professionals in higher education institutions and park and recreation facilities. In 2023 Georgia Tech received the PGMS Green Star GRAND award in the category of "Urban University Grounds". This is the high level Green Star award ever received from this nationally recognized organization. To garner the award, Georgia Tech demonstrated excellence in maintenance routines, safety, sustainability, and overall beauty. Additionally, Georgia Tech received, for the first time, the "Sustainability" award for taking the lead in implementing sustainable practices - notably the treecycling program, the campus leaf pile, cistern use, and the engineered design of the EcoCommons.

In 2018, the department achieved a 4-Star Landscape Management Accreditation. PGMS Landscape Management and Operations accreditation is a 3rd-party verified process that requires commitment across three categories: environmental stewardship, economic performance and social responsibility. The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation verifies and recognizes an integrated, environmental management systems approach applied to a grounds management.

Georgia Tech's Landscape Services department earned the prestigious PGMS 3 Star Landscape Management Accreditation, and then a Green Star Honors award for campus beauty back in 2015.

Tree Campus Higher Education

Georgia Tech was an inaugural signatory of the Tree Campus USA program in 2008 and has since re-certified for a total of 17 years. A program of The Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Campus USA, now called Tree Campus Higher Education, helps colleges and universities establish healthy community forests. We have maintained our commitment on an annual basis through a dedicated tree care plan, supporting tree plantings and other student engagements at Tech Beautification Day, Earth Week, and through a tree advisory committee that meets on a monthly basis.

2024

• Top 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses from US News and World Report

2023

• Green Star GRAND award in the category of "Urban University Grounds" from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS).
• PGMS Sustainability award for leading in sustainable practices

2018 - 2020: 

• 4 Star Professional Grounds Management Society Accreditation

2015 - 2017:

• 3 Star Professional Grounds Management Society Accreditation

2015:

• Green Star Honors Award for Campus Beautification
• Georgia Urban Forest Council "President's Award" for The Georgia Tech Comprehensive Urban Campus Tree Inventory and Management project
• PGMS Landscape Management and Operation Accreditation

2008:

• Georgia Tech was an inaugural signatory of the Tree Campus USA program.