The South Quad now boasts 337 trees, giving the revitalized space an even greater number and a richer diversity of native and sustainable arboreal life than before. As part of the construction project, 279 eastern white pines were strategically removed as the project got underway in January 2023.

Now, the new South Quad is threaded with hundreds of native trees and plantings, including many pines. The living landscape sets a vibrant stage for the South Quad’s three exciting buildings: the soon-to-be-opened new School of Business building; The SITE, dedicated to science, innovation, technology and exploration; and The Grove Residence Hall, which opened in 2024.

As part of the university’s master plan, the South Quad and each of its state-of-the-art facilities were designed as academic spaces with sustainability, collaboration and innovation in mind, said Salvatore Filardi, Vice President for Facilities and Capital Planning.

“Sustainability is one of our tenets in our master plan and our strategic plan. We’ve committed to making sure that when we build new facilities, they are all LEED certified, sustainable, and sustainably built,” said Filardi. “Our South Quad landscaping has been done in the same way, with mostly all plants and trees that are native to the area.” 

On Arbor Day, Quinnipiac Director of Capital Planning and Construction Elizabeth Bender joined Professor of Biology Courtney McGinnis and a group of faculty and students near the center of the South Quad at 1 p.m. Together, they helped complete the installation of the red pine, which will grow to be 60- to 80-feet high at maturity.

McGinnis spoke about the former pine grove in the area which was altered to allow for the new construction. While the Town of Hamden Planning and Zoning Commission requested Quinnipiac replace each tree removed one-for-one, the university went well beyond expectations, she said.

“That request was for about 279 trees in total. We have 337 trees back on this site, so we’re very excited about that,” said McGinnis. “There are a bunch of different tree species that are native to Connecticut, but we also have a lot of plants and native bushes added to our landscape which we didn’t have here before. It’s going to be really beautiful, and a great place for students.”

Bender thanked McGinnis for selecting the planting of the red pine as the last tree to be installed on the South Quad.

“I think it’s incredibly important that the tree that you selected for us to plant today is also a pine; a red pine that’s going back into our pine grove. I think there’s a lot of symbolism in that as well,” said Bender.

The planting also represented Quinnipiac’s third annual Arbor Day tree installation effort as an Arbor Day Foundation Designated Tree Campus, Bender noted. The distinction recognizes Quinnipiac as one of 400 colleges and universities in the country following sustainability practices to promote healthy trees and engage the community in stewardship.

“This is our third year we’ve done tree plantings as a Tree Designated Campus. Over the last three years, we’ve planted trees in the Hamden community and on campus,” said Bender.

As part of Quinnipiac’s April 25 Arbor Day Celebration activities, a tree was also planted in the Mount Carmel Campus pollinator garden. Sponsored by the You Got This Kid Leadership Foundation, Quinnipiac's Arbor Day programming also invited students and faculty to join in planting flowers on campus and hear from speakers at the Albert Schweitzer Institute.

McGinnis said Quinnipiac also held its first Tree Walk on campus on April 23.

“You’ll see plaques in front of some of the trees, and there’s a link on qu.edu that shows the map of the tree walk. Individuals who are involved with Bobcat Stride can also use the walk,” said McGinnis. “And now, we’re on the new South Quad, where we have all of our new native trees and plantings. These are all big steps. It’s been a pretty amazing week.”