Green Unseen
Discover the hidden sustainability stories shaping NC State.
Finding Magic in Our Own Backyard
At NC State, sustainability isn’t always a giant solar array or a high-tech lab; sometimes it’s tucked away behind a dorm or integrated into the very pavement you walk on. Many of these features operate quietly behind the scenes, yet they play a critical role in advancing climate resilience, ecological health and responsible resource management.
Green Unseen pulls back the curtain on the subtle—and often invisible—sustainability features that make our university a national leader in environmental and economic stewardship.
This initiative helps the campus community:
- Recognize sustainability in everyday spaces
- Celebrate student, faculty and staff innovation
- Encourage exploration and place-based learning
- Build awareness of NC State’s sustainability leadership
Hidden in Plain Sight
Begin your journey of discovery by exploring these features supporting sustainability across campus:
- Step Pools at Wolf Village Way: More than just landscaping, these tiered pools filter stormwater and prevent flooding, protecting local waterways from pollutants.
- Talley Student Union’s Green Features:
- LEED Silver Certified: Recognized for its high performance in energy efficiency, water savings, and more.
- Rooftop Garden: A “Green Haven” providing both ecological benefits and a peaceful space for students.
- Bird-Safe Glass: Look closely at glass at select Wolfline bus stops—those subtle patterns are designed to prevent bird collisions, protecting our feathered friends.
Green Unseen Spotlight
Design and ecology meet in these innovative campus bee hotels, which provide habitat for native pollinators. Designed by graduate architecture students working with College of Design faculty member Shawn Protz, the new bee hotels are being monitored for occupancy and success in providing pollinator habitat. You can find this one, which was funded by an NC State Sustainability Fund grant, outside the Plant Sciences Building on Centennial Campus.
Your Favorite Places
NC State Turner House Garden
Native plant and wildlife-friendly landscape at the Turner House was created to show the range of plants available as alternatives to commonly used non-native plant species. Over 25 butterfly species and 80 bird species have been observed on the very small property.
The garden was designed by students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Horticultural Science and installed by faculty and students in the College of Natural Resources’ fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology program in 2008 and continues to be a resource for NC State learning today.
You can explore the garden anytime! Visit 110 Brooks Avenue just off Hillsborough Street.
Trashy Furniture in the Floating Grove
Tucked between Biltmore Hall and Jordan Hall sits one of the most sustainable structures on campus. From the infrastructure to the furniture, the Floating Grove has layers of sustainable design—and one of those layers is made from material recycled from NC State’s campus.
When you take a seat in the Floating Grove or gather around the picnic table, you’re sitting on expanded polystyrene (EPS), or what you might call Styrofoam. The table and stool tops in the Floating Grove are constructed with a durable, sustainable concrete made from EPS. This material, created by Trashy, extends the usefulness of campus waste in a creative and practical way.
Founded by NC State graduate Laura Olson, Trashy is where entrepreneurship meets environmentalism.
Read more about Trashy furniture and its home in the Floating Grove.
Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest
Schenck Forest is a hidden gem nestled in Raleigh, North Carolina, offering a peaceful escape into nature. Managed by NC State University, College of Natural Resources, this expansive forest provides beautiful trails for hiking, biking, and exploring wildlife. Its quiet, scenic surroundings make it a perfect spot for outdoor activities and relaxation away from the busy city. Whether you’re looking for a weekend adventure or a quiet place to enjoy nature, or learn about the forest management, Schenck Forest is a wonderful secret waiting to be discovered.
Visit https://schenckforest.ncsu.edu/ to learn more.
Help Us Discover More Hidden Gems
Green Unseen is a community-driven effort. Sustainability is happening across campus every day, and we invite students, faculty and staff to help uncover it.
Ways to Participate
- Explore
Visit featured locations and learn how sustainability is integrated into campus design and infrastructure. - Share
Submit a sustainability feature or hidden campus gem you’ve discovered. Photos and stories are encouraged.