Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.18
Liaison Ryan Todd
Submission Date May 9, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

California State University, Sacramento
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.01 / 2.00 Robert Anchor
Manager of Grounds and Landscape
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 300 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 106 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 25 Acres

Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 170 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 0 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :
Sacramento State Grounds and Landscaping crews first monitor for pest and/or undesired grasses and weeds. If the threshold for either is breached, the following methods/steps/plans are observed as appropriate: 1. When the option is available, non-toxic agents are utilized first to capture or eliminate intended targets. These non-toxic agents include but are not limited to the following: Cultural (environmental) control, the introduction of natural predators and/or flora (such as citronella plants for mosquitos) to act as deterring agents against undesired pests. Mechanical spring-loaded traps are also utilized when applicable as non-toxic capturing agents. 2. Only licensed and trained personnel handle sprayers containing toxins and do so as minimally as possible. 3. Targeted or spot treatments of specific pests are employed to once again eliminate waste and to avoid unintended fallout or harm against non-specified targets. 4. Selectively non-toxic pre-emigrants are used to deter weed growth. 5. Use of selective amounts of herbicides for weed-control to minimize exposure to campus community. 6. All equipment, e.g. spray nozzles, are strictly maintained, repaired and stored to disallow for accidental overuse of toxins from faulty equipment. 7. Training is required on all said equipment. 8. Personnel work with vendors to research for new less/non-toxic alternatives. 9. Full transparency is adhered to via required monthly reports of chemicals use and methodologies.

A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
The campus master plan dictates the reduction of turf areas and recommends the use of native plant materials and drought tolerant species for all future landscape projects.

A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
The campus utilizes MP rotor or drip irrigation exclusively for irrigation purposes. Water usage from the five irrigation wells has been reduced up to 40% by these practices. Two additional landscaped areas of campus (Benicia Hall and the Well) have been xeriscape in nature and have required far less irrigation than the turf that was there previously. Bark chips are utilized throughout the campus, primarily under trees to retain moisture.

A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
The campus turf care operations utilize mulching mowers and all leaf debris from seasonal sweeping activities are composted in a collection area on the south end of campus.

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

A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
All new and future landscape projects are to be xeriscape in nature and consist of native California plant materials that, once established, will require far less water than conventional plantings. We will continue chipping all beds and under trees to retain moisture.

A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
All campus irrigation is provided by five wells which gather water from the American River aquifer. Drainage water after filtration is returned to the same source via area drains. Nine LID projects (rain gardens and bioswails) have been completed throughout campus to improve the quality of the water that returns to this source.

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

A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
The campus location is adjacent to the American River, which is a state protected area. All campus maintenance operations take this into account whether it is chemical applications or drainage water exiting the site. Regular state and county inspections are performed to ensure that the campus is in full compliance with the various regulatory agencies.

Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
Yes

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.