Belmont’s campus is a place where heritage, beauty and purpose intersect. Stewardship is not only about preserving buildings and landscapes — it is about nurturing an environment where students, faculty and staff can learn, create and belong. Every decision reflects both the needs of today and the legacy we are building for tomorrow.
The Belmont Difference
Belmont is recognized nationally for its campus beauty, but what truly sets it apart is the thoughtful and consistent care behind the scenes. Our campus environment is shaped through a philosophy of intentional stewardship — honoring history while supporting a dynamic, forward-looking academic community.
A Stewardship Philosophy Rooted in Place
Belmont’s landscape has evolved over time, from the Belle Mont estate in 1865 to a women’s academy to the vibrant university it is today. The spaces we maintain are part of a living story, where historic features are preserved and new spaces are created with purpose and care.
Historic Continuity
Many of the gardens, pathways and outdoor structures students encounter each day reflect over a century of history. Preserving them is a way of honoring the layered narrative of campus life.
A Campus to Belong To
Outdoor spaces at Belmont are designed for connection — places where students study under trees, musicians rehearse in the gazebos and friends gather between classes. The landscape is not simply aesthetic; it is relational.
A Living Landscape with a Story
Belmont’s grounds express meaning through form, texture and seasonal change. The campus is curated to feel both timeless and alive, offering quiet moments of reflection as well as spaces for celebration and community.
Belmont University’s campus was officially designated as an arboretum in 2012, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Darlene Panvini and her botany class. This achievement highlights the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship and hands-on learning.
We continue to build on that legacy through a partnership with the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council to maintain our certification and uphold our Arboretum status.
Since 2017, Belmont University has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for our dedication to conservation and urban forest management.
Belmont earns this distinction by meeting the program’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, implementing a campus tree care plan, dedicating annual funding to the tree program, observing Arbor Day and engaging students in service-learning projects related to trees and sustainability.
This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to a healthy, vibrant and well-managed campus.
A highlight of any visit to Belmont University is the beautiful Hybrid Tea Rose Garden. Originally restored in 2006, this vibrant garden is one of only two of its kind in the city of Nashville. It features more than 182 named rose varieties, offering a colorful and fragrant display throughout the growing season.
The garden is maintained in partnership with the Nashville Rose Society, reflecting Belmont’s continued dedication to horticultural excellence and campus beauty.
Beauty in Every Season
Campus beauty is intentional and nurtured year-round.
| Season | Campus Character |
|---|---|
| Spring | Tulips, budding trees and renewed garden beds |
| Summer | Lush lawns, deep greens and outdoor gathering spaces |
| Fall | Vibrant foliage and warm color across campus |
| Winter | Iconic holiday decorations and evergreen textures, up to 20 tons of ice melt applied per winter storm |
“Fall in Nashville truly hits different, blending natural beauty with urban vibrancy to enhance your Belmont experience.”
Sustainability Features
These sustainable features play an important role in Belmont’s commitment to environmental responsibility and campus stewardship.
As part of Belmont’s ongoing sustainability initiatives, the University composts both brown and green waste at a designated site on the south campus. Each year leaves and spent seasonal flowers are collected and added to the compost lot. Once fully processed, this nutrient-rich compost is returned to the landscape and used to enrich campus plantings the following year.
Belmont’s irrigation system is managed through Toro DXI controllers with cloud-based remote access via the ProMax™ Connect app. This technology allows our team to monitor flow, receive alerts and control irrigation stations from anywhere.
The Landscaping and Grounds Department helps protect the local environment through effective storm water management practices. Our team maintains bioretention spaces, catch basins and green roofs across campus, which naturally filter rainwater, reduce runoff and minimize pollution entering local waterways.
Explore Sustainability Initiatives
Belmont’s commitment to environmental responsibility includes energy-efficient buildings, stormwater conservation, recycling programs and ongoing climate stewardship efforts.
Submit a Work Order
Fast, Efficient Service
Need maintenance, custodial or landscape support? Use our online work order system to request service and track progress.