| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.59 |
| Liaison | Victor Udo |
| Submission Date | Sept. 23, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bucknell University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
| Area (double-counting is not allowed) | |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses a four-tiered approach | 339.90 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an organic land care standard or sustainable landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 339.90 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds (e.g. the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces, experimental agricultural land, areas that are not regularly managed or maintained):
Excludes a total of 241.1 Ac: 107.1 Ac of roads, walkways, and Bldgs. 42 Ac of forest not managed, 67 Ac of experimental nature preserve, and 25 ac of farmland.
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
A copy of the IPM plan or program:
A brief description of the IPM program:
We practice IPM on approximately 340 acres of our campus. The first step in our IPM program is to use appropriate measures to discourage the development of unwanted pest populations. An example of these actions would be correcting drainage issues to minimize standing water and keeping material away from buildings. Secondly, we routinely monitor our turf, trees and shrubs for any potential threats. Thirdly, we evaluate the need for any intervention. Mechanical or physical controls (such as traps or barriers) and other biologic controls (such as using natural predators of the pest) are utilized prior to exploring a chemical product. Because of the continued bee research on campus we only use pesticides when it is absolutely necessary. If pesticides are required to control a pest population we will use the least toxic product at the lowest recommended rate. Our goal is to reduce or minimize risks to humans and the environment.
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
A brief description of the organic land standard or landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials:
Land along stream beds have been restored to minimize pollutants entering the water stream, control flooding/runoff, and to control invasive species. Sustainable landscaping practices including mulch/composting, changing plantings, and ceasing use of pesticides/fertilizers have been implemented in portions of the campus (the Grove) in an effort to improve soil health and improve biodiversity.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
We recently developed a comprehensive, campus wide, tree management plan that will be implemented by our certified arborist. New construction includes the LEED landscape requirements for certification points. Several areas of the campus, under the direction of the Biology Department, are being naturalized. Those areas include the steep slopes in the Grove and the Miller run stream banks
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Our current construction and campus expansion (approx 50 acres) includes several acres of rain gardens, bioswales and green roofs. The majority of campus is not irrigated. We collect rainwater for hand watering of trees, shrubs, perennials and annual flowers. The six athletic fields that have irrigation are monitored daily and irrigation is on an as needed basis.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Currently, we collect, tub grind and compost our tree trimmings and brush into usable mulch. Also, we compost our leaves and yard waste which is used as a soil amendment for planting. Pre-consumer food waste is also composted or otherwise reused.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
The engineering building as well as the new LEED certified building have green roofs.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution (e.g. use of environmentally preferable landscaping materials, initiatives to reduce the impacts of ice and snow removal, wildfire prevention):
We use a natural fall fertilizer (NatureSafe) on our athletic fields and high visibility turf areas. We practice grass cycling on all our turf areas. All of our inorganic fertilizers are slow release and no or low phosphorus which reduces nutrient runoff. We use power brooms to remove snow and ice on all of our paths. The brooms remove most of the frozen material which reduces the need for ice melting products.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.