Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.32
Liaison Kirk Hemphill
Submission Date April 24, 2020

STARS v2.2

Florida Institute of Technology
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.27 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
177 Acres

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
Area (double-counting is not allowed)
Area managed organically, without the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides 62 Acres
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 100 Acres
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 15 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 177 Acres

A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:

Approximately 62 acres accounts for wild jungle space and campus building footprints. The jungle space is protected wetlands from the St. Johns Water Management District. along the eastern coast of Florida.


Percentage of grounds managed organically:
35.03

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:

Florida Tech prioritizes the use of native, adapted, low-maintenance, and non-invasive plant species in landscape design and replacement. All pest management, with the exception of Athletics and Intramural Recreation fields, is directed by the Florida Tech Horticulturist and Manager of Grounds (“Grounds Manager”). Grounds are maintained in accordance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that adhere to the four-tiered approach: http://www.facilities.fit.edu/documents/FIT-4TierIPM.pdf. The Grounds Manager is responsible for setting action thresholds and will recommend plant replacement in situations where plant material is likely to attract pests. When controls are used, organic controls are preferred.

Additionally, Florida Tech has committed to using only all natural, bio-based and environmentally friendly products for a turf fertilization program. Facilities Operations have converted their main campus turf fertilization needs specifically to a liquid product, BioGreen. In an effort to assist in reducing the amount of nutrient pollutants that travel into the Florida waterways the university has now shifted to the BioGreen line of fertilizers at the satellite locations. Information on this product can be found here: http://www.floridabiogreen.com/ and the university's program reflects the exclusive use of this product in the turf care program.


Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
56.50

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
A brief description of the IPM program:
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A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
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A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
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A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
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A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
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A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Data sourced from the Grounds Manager located within the university's Facilities Operations Department.


Data sourced from the Grounds Manager located within the university's Facilities Operations Department.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.