Joe Rabbitt (pictured, right) is the Horticulturist in Landscape Services. Notre Dame Sustainability sat down with Joe to learn more about him and discuss his role in shaping sustainability on campus through managing Notre Dame's green spaces.
Tell us about yourself & your work on campus.
I am the Horticulturist for Landscape Services. My team and I are responsible for most things flowering in campus landscapes. We design, plan, install, and maintain all seasonal planting, such as annuals, mums, bulbs, and winter decor. We maintain most perennials and many flowering shrubs, like roses, on campus.
Share a little bit about your work as it specifically relates to the ongoing care of native pollinator gardens on campus.
I serve as a campus liaison with Stantec, the ecosystem restoration contractor that installs and maintains those areas. For other areas that focus on native pollinator plants, we at least maintain, for example, the World Peace Plaza, and sometimes are also responsible for design and installation, like the Class of 1976 Butterfly Garden.
Are there any goals or objectives you can share with us about the future of natives on campus?
Right now, our main project in this area of work is to establish new native pollinators at the solar array installation near WNDU. The species at the site need to be short enough not to obstruct the panels' ability to capture sunlight. A few notable plants include sand coreopsis, purple prairie clover, and hairy aster. Still, we are always looking for opportunities to add to the areas that we already have. Throughout campus, we continue to make a concerted effort in our in-house design projects to include as many native, pollinator-friendly, and water-wise plants as the parameters of the project allow. We often seek ways to include natives in projects, even when they might have a focus on annual plantings.
What is your favorite aspect of working on campus?
Simply the opportunity to plan and maintain spots on campus that we know bring joy to everyone present on campus: faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
What is one sustainability tip would you recommend people take on in their daily lives, whether at home or on campus?
Remember that even little things matter. Simple things can make a difference. I, for example, return one-gallon pots to a perennial nursery that reuses them. The small efforts of individuals really do add up.
Related to sustainability, what gives you hope for the future?
Sustainability is more and more built into the thinking and action of younger generations.
Learn more about the green spaces of campus by viewing our interactive green map.
Do you know an individual or team who should be highlighted for their sustainability work? Submit a nomination for them here! Their story may be shared on our monthly Green Ambassador newsletter.
Originally published by at green.nd.edu on March 17, 2026.