University Park Sustainable Landscape Initiative accelerates with donor support

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In 2024, after a year of planning, interviews, on-site studies and student engagement, Penn State published its Sustainable Landscape Implementation Plan. The plan explores ways to transition the campus’ predominately tree and lawn landscape to a more biodiverse, lower-maintenance landscape while preserving and enhancing the aspects of the campus that are valued most, including its revered heritage trees, iconic lawns and other outdoor spaces.

With pilot projects identified in the plan, couple Harry Burns and Pat Wirth stepped forward to jumpstart implementation, with a total gift of $132,000: $82,000 for the initial project to transform Chapel Woods and $50,000 for the establishment of the Sustainable Landscapes Endowment.

Burns graduated from Penn State in 1966 with a bachelor of science, and received his master's degree from California Institute of Technology in 1967; Wirth received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Nebraska in 1971,  and master's and doctoral degrees in science from Washington University in St Louis in 1978 and 1981, respectively.

“We are excited to be partners with Penn State’s vision to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities,” said Burns and Wirth jointly. “We’re dedicating the Chapel Woods Sustainable Landscape to the memory of Suzanne E. Burns (Harry’s first wife of 32 years) whose love of native plants and sustainable landscaping has inspired both of us. We hope that others will join us in supporting additional sustainable landscape initiatives across Penn State’s beautiful campus.”

As outlined in the implementation plan, the Chapel Woods site at University Park — the wooded area between the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, Eisenhower Chapel, Forum Building and Curtin Road — was selected based on its context as a premier opportunity to expand a stylized shade meadow in the protected areas under the dense tree canopy. With appropriate solar exposure, scale and visibility, this pilot project aims to replace over 20,000 square feet of lawn with a high-performing, ecological shade meadow.

Installation of the Chapel Woods shade meadow and other ecological features kicked off at a student volunteer tree-planting event in April 2025 to coincide with Earth Day. Participants included members of the Eco Action student club and those studying landscape architecture. Future projects identified in the Sustainable Landscape Implementation Plan will be considered as funds are available.

“It's been an honor to have been involved in this project with Eco Action and work alongside my peers to make a difference at University Park,” said Grace Wills, class of 2025 graduate in environmental resource management and former president of Eco Action. “I am excited to bring back more native plant species and improve the ecological health on campus.”

Gifts to the Sustainable Landscapes Endowment advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.