| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.90 |
| Liaison | Jessica Bowen |
| Submission Date | Aug. 3, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Aquinas College
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.20 / 2.00 |
Jessica
Eimer Bowen Director of Sustainability Center for Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 106 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 6.23 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 21.30 Acres |
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Area of managed grounds that is::
| Area | |
| Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan | 5 Acres |
| Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined | 7 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 0 Acres |
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A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :
The Grounds Dept. follows IPM procedures in maintaining the campus landscape. By doing so, pesticide use on campus is reduced. Naturalized landscape design, site selection and preparation, the use of hearty, disease and pest resistant varieties. Proper frequencies of watering, pruning, mowing and mulching. When controlling pests or diseases IPM techniques take an ecological approach to vegetation and pest management with an emphasis on the reduction of pesticide use and the implementation and monitoring for early detection of invasive species.
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A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
Aquinas is committed to the efficient and effective allocation and use of natural resources, as well as the preservation of biological system function over time (i.e. renewable, regenerative and reclaimable). The college purchases plants and vegetation that are grown using sustainable practices and uses site appropriate plant selection (SAPS) to reduce water, fertilizer, pesticides and labor. Finally, Aquinas works hard to minimize the resources required to construct and maintain the campus landscape.
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A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
Plants are picked and planted to be pest hardy and salt tolerant, which helps reduce pesticide use. Many varieties of native plants are used in landscaping, and the campus provides a home to at least one of every tree species native to Michigan.
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A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
The Aquinas Grounds Department reuses/composts excess dirt generated during construction projects. In addition, we compost all leaves and grass clippings.
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A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
The use of fertilizers and chemicals on campus is used sparingly. We apply fertilizer once a year and spray herbicide twice a year. The fertilizer is for weeds only on highly maintained areas.
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A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
Any trees that are removed from campus, are used to make wood chips for use on campus pathways. We also reuse broken concrete for pathway construction, and purchase plants from local suppliers that utilize sustainable growing techniques.
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A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
We use an adjacent lake (Fisk Lake) to irrigate turf grass and landscape at one edge of campus (Brookby Estate). Most of our campus consists of permeable surfaces, allowing rain water to naturally infiltrate the grounds. Plans are underway to plant buffer areas along our creeks and ponds to avoid soil erosion, filter pollutants and inhibits goose activity.
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A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
Environmental impacts are addressed in multiple ways. Grounds equipment is used to de-ice the five miles of sidewalk and seasonal closings of some steps and side walks. This equates to a reduction of required salt, equipment fuel, and savings in lawn damage repairs.
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A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
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Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No
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The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.