ACU is committed to efficient stewardship of resources. We partner with many local, state and national organizations to creatively conserve and optimize resources while maintaining a beautiful campus.
Energy Management
ACU is a recognized leader in the optimization of energy resources. Some of the initiatives we participate in include:
- 100% renewable energy contract with TXU
- Energy-as-a-service (EaaS) partnership with Bernhard, including installation of a solar array and upgrades to HVAC systems, building automation and lighting systems
- Partnership with Cenergistic to promote energy conservation on campus
- EPA Green Power Partnership, which promotes the use of renewable energy and a reduction in emissions and air pollution
Water Conservation
Water is an important resource in west Texas, and ACU does its part to minimize water usage while maintaining our beautiful campus. We accomplish this through:
- Irrigation with reclaimed waste water
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Central control irrigation system, which allows irrigation based on soil moisture demands
Recycling
ACU encourages all departments to recycle and reuse as much as possible. Operations facilitates this by collecting the following recyclables:
- Cardboard
- Paper for shredding
- Batteries
- Used engine oil
- Scrap metal
Additionally, ACU encourages reuse of furniture and electronics through donations and auctions.
Bee Campus USA
ACU is recognized as a Bee Campus USA by Bee City USA for our promotion of the role of pollinators in a healthy ecosystem. We are committed to providing native, perennial landscaping that will attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to our campus for the purpose of conservation and education. These areas benefit both pollinators and our students in providing a calming place to reconnect with nature.
Learn more about Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA
More about our pollinator gardens at ACU
Tree Campus USA
ACU has been recognized as a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation. We continue in our commitment to planting and maintaining our trees to help reduce the amount of energy our campus needs to generate.
We are also proud to be accredited as a level I Arboretum by the Arbnet Arboretum Accreditation Program within the Morton Register of Arboreta, which is a collection of public gardens all over the world that showcase many species of trees and woody species for the benefit of science and conservation.
Learn more about the Tree Campus program by the Arbor Day Foundation
More about our arboretum at ACU
Feral Cat Initiative
The Feral Cat Initiative (FCI) is a student-led initiative that supports the health and welfare of campus cats through TNR (trap-neuter-release) and veterinary care. TNR involves humanely trapping, vaccinating and spaying/neutering cats and returning them to their original location. More than 150 cats have gone through the TNR program. Through the efforts of FCI, campus cats have received a range of veterinary care.
- The first generation of FCI was active from 2013-2019. The second generation of FCI began in 2023 and continues to care for our local “wild” cats!
- FCI partners with the local animal shelter All Kind Animal Initiative for volunteer events.
- In Fall 2025, FCI, with the help of ACU’s Landscape and Grounds Team, built a “cat patio” on campus to house cats before TNR and vet appointments.
 Follow us on Instagram @acufci
