Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.58
Liaison Stephen Ellis
Submission Date April 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Boston University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.03 / 2.00 Dennis Carlberg
Associate Vice President for Sustainability
BU Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 133.50 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 82.60 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 0 Acres

Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 47.90 Acres
Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined 3 Acres
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 0 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :

Boston University’s Integrated Pest Management program sets thresholds, monitors for the presence of pests, and identifies prudent prevention and control methods. The program includes horticultural oil applied to trees and shrubs in late winter and early spring. Spray applications for shrubs and other plants are utilized only when necessary. When applying fertilizer and pesticides, the University operates under strict guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture.


A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:

Sustainability practices appropriate to BU's urban campus regarding landscape management are used whenever possible. Some examples of the University’s commitment to sustainable landscape management include the use of organic fertilizer for four out of six annual treatments, the installation of rain sensors that shut off sprinklers during precipitation, and the preference for drip irrigation systems that reduce water loss.


A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:

BU's New Balance field was designed to use native plants and species, as well as some non-native, ecologically appropriate plants. Native species and ecologically appropriate plants are used when possible. BU does not plant invasive species and their presence is controlled.


A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:

Boston University began composting yard waste in 2008. Since 2012 BU has composted 100% of its yard waste from the Charles River Campus. Waste composting from tree removal (typically after major storm events) is being explored. Those practices are applied all over campus.


A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:

Soil is not brought onto campus and landscaping is done using soil resources available on campus.


A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:

N/A


A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:

Recent projects, such as the construction of New Balance Field, were designed to have rainwater reclamation systems. Water reclaimed at the New Balance Field is used for irrigation.


A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):

The University uses a variety of snow and ice removal strategies with a range of sustainability benefits and challenges:
1) Environmentally preferable magnesium chloride is used on entrances, steps, and sidewalks.
2) Salt is used on driveways, and parking lots.
3) Pre-application is limited to reduce runoff of un-dissolved melting agents.
4) No sand is used, to eliminate the environmental impacts of disposal.


A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:

N/A


Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No

The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
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.