The Nature of Clemson

The Piedmont of South Carolina today is a patchwork of forests, farms, pastures, and developed urban and suburban landscapes. Clemson University’s habitats and natural history reflect similar diversity and history of landscape use, being home to native plants as well as ornamentals, a variety of animals and insects, with layers of history and change reflected in the landscape. The campus has a significant green framework, an interconnected system of landscape plantings, gardens, creeks, remnant natural areas, and shoreline. These green spaces enrich the lives of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, offering a green antidote to the increasing pace of urbanization in upstate South Carolina. Discovering the inhabitants of these green areas on campus enriches our understanding of the environment on which we depend. This field guide will inspire you to observe and investigate the natural world.