The NIH has over 230 acres of lawn, 180 acres of pasture, 215 acres of forest, and nearly 5 acres of ponds. Much of the Bethesda campus’ 310 acres are like a park, with 705 shrub beds comprising 20 acres. The campus has over 7,000 trees (140 species), 67 birdhouses in Bethesda and 25 bluebird houses at our Animal Care facility in Poolesville, Maryland. Bird monitoring since 1991 has documented over 40 species.

Open spaces, greenways, healthy forests, and clean streams are becoming more and more important to us, particularly in heavily developed areas such as the Washington, DC suburbs. Because of our position as landowners, restoring and protecting the health and beauty of the land, water, plants, and wildlife on our property is a fundamental responsibility. For example, the NIH stream restoration project, which was completed in the fall of 2002, brought the NIH stream back to health and able to support aquatic life. The “North Pond” was completed in the fall of 2006 and the “South Pond” is due for completion in the winter of 2008.

In 2005 we were the winners of the prestigious White Oak Award for Excellence in Forest Conservation and Land Development from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Through our forest conservation program, the NIH is committed to reaching and maintaining a 20% campus-wide urban forest canopy. The NIH’s efforts were made before any formal laws requiring forest conservation, but were designed with Forest Conservation Act goals in mind.

The NIH also employs an Integrated Pest Management Plan. There have been no herbicide applications on the Bethesda campus since 1985. Because of their impact on the environment, minimizing or eliminating of the use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers is an important goal of NIH. Landscaping at the NIH also uses primarily native plants. Since native plants have adapted to the local conditions, they do not require the irrigation and chemical use of many non-native species.

Related References and Links

• NEPAnet (CEQ)
• NIH Green Purchasing Information
• State of Maryland Water Conservation Information
• State of Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Information