| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Rebecca Jones |
| Submission Date | Feb. 29, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Austin College
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
John
Jennings Director Physical Plant |
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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 | 722 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 11.50 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 212 Acres |
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Area of managed grounds that is::
| Area | |
| Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan | 85 Acres |
| Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined | 0 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 365 Acres |
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A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :
We use the Texas School Integrated Pest Managment program as recommended by Texas Agri-Life Extension Service. The main control activities are treating visible fire ant mounds with a bait and using containerized rodent bait stations around buildings. We do utilize a state licensed professional pest control service for all buildings/grounds that does maintain service records that reflect all products are environmentally safe.
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A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
Lawns are mowed with LPG, rather than gasoline or diesel mowers. The landscaping around the LEED Gold certified IDEA Center is composed of native plants with drip irrigation from a rainwater collection system. Two other small areas have been planted with native vegetation by student volunteers during GreenServe events.
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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:
Invasive species are not a problem on campus. At our 100 acre prairie restoration we manage invasive species with mowing, carefully managed grazing, and prescribed fires, but do not use any herbicides or other manufactured chemicals. We protect mature trees during construction when feasible. We have over the years implemented more native plantings and also reduced the physical numbers of seasonal planting
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A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
We have over the years implemented more native plantings and also reduced the physical numbers of seasonal planting. We make compost from food preparation waste and wood chips provided by companies that trim trees around electric lines. This compost is used on campus landscaping.
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A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
We make compost from food preparation waste and wood chips provided by companies that trim trees around electric lines. This compost is used on campus landscaping.
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A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
Usage of natural products and chemical free applications have been implemented over the past few years.
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A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
Our new LEED Gold Certified IDEA Center minimizes runoff with a rainwater collection system. Our irrigation systems have rainfall override sensors to automatically avoid watering when soils are moist, watering is unnecessary, and irrigation water could runoff.
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A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
This is rarely necessary. We occasionally use calcium chloride ice melting salt in dangerously slick areas.
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A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
The college owns five protected areas, Garnett Prairie, Buckner Woods, McCarley Woods, Bratz Property, and Sneed Environmental Research Area. All five are protected. They represent both of the major local vegetation communities, Blackland Prairie, and Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Woodland. The Sneed Environmental Research Area is the site of 10-field, 70-acre prairie restoration experiment, for which the Garnett Prairie serves as a reference site. Approximately one thousand students have contributed to the prairie restoration effort and almost 10,000 schoolchildren have visited the site on field trips led by our undergraduates. The Sneed property has a solar powered building with a rainwater-based drinking water system. The McCarley Woods has a small cabin used for overnight field trips.
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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.