| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.84 |
| Liaison | Stephanie Del Rosario |
| Submission Date | May 26, 2022 |
California State University, Fullerton
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.81 / 2.00 |
Hans
Mickelson Landscape Services Manager Facilities Management |
Total campus area:
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 | 25 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 55 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 49 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 129 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Land excluded from the area of managed grounds includes building footprints, parking lots, impervious surfaces and the Arboretum.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
We use compost, bio-solids, organic and natural fertilizers, and mulches in these areas when needed. We no longer use fungicides on turf that is located on campus. The use of a weed torch to control weeds is an alternative to the use of herbicides if applicable. Preventative cultural measures and practices are used to curtail the use of fertilizer and chemical treatments. These cultural practices include but are not limited to aerification, verticutting, mulching, use of weed barriers, and water management. Mechanical control of weeds is also performed (i.e. hand pulling weeds).
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:
Aerification, verticutting, mulching, topdressing, fraze mowing. Use of biological fungicides and insecticides (BT and Neem Oil).
Practice is always to monitor for pest activity and then:
1. Set threshold based on pest type/activity and amount of pest damage to plant(s).
2. Practice is to maintain healthy plants through solid best management practices.
3. Control methods will be utilized when threshold indicates necessity and always with least toxic means possible.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The Institution's practice is to incorporate native plant use into any new construction and to make use as a priority when conducting renovations. Native and drought-tolerant plant selections and designs are to respond to the Governor's call to reduce water consumption by 20%, and to incorporate all necessary strategies of rainwater retention and low water usage throughout the institution. The campus also eliminates invasive species and non-drought tolerant species.
Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS), located in Modjeska Canyon and owned and operated by Cal State Fullerton, is a 12 acre nature preserve adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest. This area is considered a "biological hotspot" by conservation biologists as it contains 2,000 of the 7,000 species of plants native to California, many of which are rare or important to the habitat. Over the past several years, TWS has has worked diligently to eradicate non-native plants from its gardens and has replaced them with native plants. CSUF interns are currently assisting TWS in the process of compiling an "Herbarium," which is a collection in pressed flower/ plant specimens of all of the native species within the area. Currently, there is only one other "Herbarium" in California, located at UC Riverside. Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is collaborating with UC Riverside to share this valuable information. Since the Santiago Canyon Fire of 2007, TWS has been collecting valuable data relative to water quality and the return of native plants and birds to the area. This data is available for research projects. Lastly, thanks to a Boy Scouts Eagle Project, TWS has a native plant greenhouse where we propagate and sell native plants for use in our own gardens and to encourage others to use them in theirs.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Use of ET on Calsense controllers. Rain bucket installed in 2019 on Calsense Central Hub. The campus uses wetting agents, topdresses turfgrass with mulch and sand, an applies mulch to planters.
The campus also utilizes various forms of bioswales, which include rock, grass, and vegetated swales in recent and future design and renovation areas. To date, the campus has renovated approximately six (6) landscaped areas from turf to vegetated and rock swales.
Reduction of water consumption is a state-mandated practice due to recent droughts. Rainwater retention through naturally-occurring hydro-logic features on campus has recently become an adopted design practice. Additionally, campus storm water infrastructure and management are being incorporated into campus beautification and landscape management strategic planning.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Mowing without baskets on Sports Fields and campus lawns.
Green waste is hauled off campus and composted by contract hauler. The campus will be developing a composting program for both pre-consumer and post-consumer waste.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Installing native plant varieties. Use of mulch for plant health and water retention. The campus has reinstalled 2 acres of turf to eliminate heat islands from mulch and rock beds.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Use of topdressing on turf and plant areas. The campus uses drought tolerant pants, wetting agents for water retention, and DG installation in non-turf areas.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
CSUF Celebrates Arbor Day With Tree-Planting Ceremony
https://news.fullerton.edu/2021/04/csuf-celebrates-arbor-day-with-tree-planting-ceremony/
CSUF Celebrates Arbor Day With Tree-Planting Ceremony
https://news.fullerton.edu/2021/04/csuf-celebrates-arbor-day-with-tree-planting-ceremony/
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.