The Environmental Stewardship Committee was established by Provost William Destler to advise the University of Maryland Facilities Council on matters pertaining to the implementation of environmental recommendations approved in the 2001-2020 Facilities Master Plan. Two other committees-the Transportation Committee and the District Development Committee-were established at the same time and address topics specific to campus transportation issues and the development of campus districts. The Environmental Stewardship Committee has developed a set of Environmental Stewardship Guidelines that reinforce the vision of the Master Plan and establish a means by which the campus community can direct its attention to the development of a healthy and environmentally sustainable campus.

The future development of the University's physical plant will have dramatic consequences not only for the campus' character, but also for its operating costs and resource demands long into the future. Creating an environmentally sustainable campus requires an integrated, systematic approach that not only includes departments of facilities management, but also environmental safety, purchasing, transportation, and related academic programs. With this document, the Environmental Stewardship Committee presents a management guide that seeks continuous environmental improvement through strategic planning, goal-setting, monitoring, corrective action, and reporting. This set of campus-wide Environmental Stewardship Guidelines includes an Environmental Mission Statement and a compendium of suggested management strategies organized by administrative area and appropriate to achieving this mission.

The University of Maryland is committed to its role as the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland and embraces a leadership role in the areas of environmental education and research and in the practice of environmental management and stewardship. Accordingly, these guidelines identify the university's commitment to responsible environmental management practices on the College Park campus. They are intended to provide a framework and an incentive to faculty, staff, and students and to encourage the development and implementation of an integrated environmental management system. The guidelines will complement existing policies and procedures regarding regulatory compliance and will inspire the University community to adopt practices and procedures that extend beyond compliance and foster long-term environmental stewardship and ecological sustainability.