UMB has built all new renovations and buildings to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standards since 2007. Following LEED standards helps save money, conserve energy, reduce water consumption, improve indoor air quality, and make better building material choices. To take things a step further, UMB has certified three buildings and two campus spaces.

For additional information, visit the Maryland Green Building Council.

UMB has integrated thoughtful design into its landscaping to provide more green space onto campus, whether that be a small bump-out to incorporate a flower garden along walking paths, finding creative solutions to lessen the impervious area on campus, or saving older trees from new construction and “recycling” them by placing them in other spaces.

Stormwater management on campus also provides opportunities for additional greenery and usage of native plants. When you walk around campus, look around. Something that might look like a simple garden could actually be working hard to help treat rainwater.

Visit the sixth floor of the Lexington Building, which boasts a 20-foot-long living green wall that helps with filtering the air, provides greenery for the office space, and uses a sophisticated irrigation system that reduces the need for water (see photo above). Stop by the School of Nursing addition to check out their new green wall as well.

Additionally the Greene Street Pocket Park is getting a new mural, so be on the lookout for a brighter, more colorful space coming soon.

UMB has three green roofs on campus:

1. Social Work (2008)
2. Plaza Garage
3. Health Sciences Research Facility III (2018)
   This green roof is accessible

Green roofs have a number of benefits:

• Help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Help reduce building temperature
  • Reduce cooling costs/energy use
• Help reduce heat island effect
  • Increase human health and comfort
• Provide a source of stormwater runoff treatment

Green roofs cool and humidify the surrounding air, provide a natural habitat for animals and plants, create biodiversity, reduce dust and smog levels, and absorb contaminants from rainfall and the air.

Additionally, green roofs reduce stormwater runoff, typically, by 50 to 90 percent. Not only do they greatly reduce the volume of stormwater runoff, but they also minimize the impact of stormwater on existing sewer systems.

Buildings with green roofs boast reduced cooling costs and dampened noise pollution. They also increase the life expectancy of a roof by protecting building materials from climatic extremes.

For additional information, visit EPA Green Roof Information.