University of Sopron
Rooted Futures – Rooted in Nature. Growing the Future. “Connected living ecosystems across Hungary”
Finalist, Nature Positive
About
The Rooted Futures project of the University of Sopron is a comprehensive sustainability initiative that integrates education, research, and environmental responsibility. A central element of this project is the university’s unique green infrastructure, consisting of the Botanical Garden in Sopron and three major arboretums located in Kámon, Sárvár, and Püspökladány. Together, these sites form a connected ecological network that represents different environmental conditions across Hungary. The Botanical Garden in Sopron plays a key role as the core of the system. Located directly on campus, it provides daily interaction between students and nature. It serves multiple purposes, including education, scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and recreation. Students can study plant species, ecological processes, and sustainable practices in a real-life environment. The three arboretums expand this concept further. This project serves also as a public sustainability platform, that connects the university with society and promotes environmental awareness.
Top 3 learnings
- Our system-level thinking creates much greater impact than individual green actions.
- We learned that human engagement, ownership are as important (or more) as funding or technology.
- Our sustainability projects must be designed as long-term processes, not short-term fixes.
Sustainable Development Goals
| 2026 | |
| Nature Positive | |
| Finalist, International |
