Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 51.18
Liaison Miguel Martin
Submission Date March 5, 2021

STARS v2.2

California State University, San Bernardino
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 2.00 Miguel Martin
Energy and Sustainability Manager
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
609 Acres

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 0 Acres
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 140 Acres
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 140 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 280 Acres

A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:

The San Bernardino campus has a campus designated natural preserve within the campus boundary. Additionally, there are portions of the Palm Desert campus that is undeveloped land. Total area of the natural preserve and undeveloped land is 469 acres.


Percentage of grounds managed organically:
0

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
---

Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
50

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
---

A brief description of the IPM program:

Pest Control

The Grounds Department provides basic pest control services. Indoor pest control includes: ants, mice, flies, roaches and gnat control. Outdoor pest control includes: skunks, possums, ground squirrels, gophers, rabbits, and all pests to turf, trees, ground covers and shrubs. Additional information on campus pest control policy may be requested through the Grounds Supervisor at extension 75178 or the Environmental Health and Safety Office at extension 75179. Non-general fund programs may be provided service on a chargeback basis. To request pest control services, please contact Facilities Services at extension 75175.

The grounds department uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for pest control. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. In contrast, organic food production applies many of the same concepts as IPM but limits the use of pesticides to those that are produced from natural sources, as opposed to synthetic chemicals.

IPM is not a single pest control method but, rather, a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls. In practicing IPM, growers who are aware of the potential for pest infestation follow a four-tiered approach. The four steps include:
Set Action Thresholds

Before taking any pest control action, IPM first sets an action threshold, a point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken. Sighting a single pest does not always mean control is needed. The level at which pests will either become an economic threat is critical to guide future pest control decisions.
Monitor and Identify Pests

Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms require control. Many organisms are innocuous, and some are even beneficial. IPM programs work to monitor for pests and identify them accurately, so that appropriate control decisions can be made in conjunction with action thresholds. This monitoring and identification removes the possibility that pesticides will be used when they are not really needed or that the wrong kind of pesticide will be used.
Prevention

As a first line of pest control, IPM programs work to manage the crop, lawn, or indoor space to prevent pests from becoming a threat. In an agricultural crop, this may mean using cultural methods, such as rotating between different crops, selecting pest-resistant varieties, and planting pest-free rootstock. These control methods can be very effective and cost-efficient and present little to no risk to people or the environment.
Control

Once monitoring, identification, and action thresholds indicate that pest control is required, and preventive methods are no longer effective or available, IPM programs then evaluate the proper control method both for effectiveness and risk. Effective, less risky pest controls are chosen first, including highly targeted chemicals, such as pheromones to disrupt pest mating, or mechanical control, such as trapping or weeding. If further monitoring, identifications and action thresholds indicate that less risky controls are not working, then additional pest control methods would be employed, such as targeted spraying of pesticides. Broadcast spraying of non-specific pesticides is a last resort.


A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:

Not provided.


A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:

Not provided.


A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:

The remaining turf areas on both the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses are maintained with mulching mowers that significantly reduce disposal, watering, and the need to fertilize.

All other greenwaste collected by grounds crews are disposed in dedicated roll-off bins and taken by commercial hauler to local licensed composting/mulching facilities.

Likewise, contracted tree-cutting services are required to reuse or dispose of all greenwaste at composting facilities.

Due to the area's seasonal high winds and proximity to fire prone USFS lands, open composting is not done on site.


A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:

The bulk of the San Bernardino campus is yet maintained as turf and mature trees which act as a cooling island during warmer months. Existing trees are maintained for shade in parking lots and courtyards inside and between older buildings. Xeriscaped areas utilize light-colored decomposed granite surfaces between plantings to better reflect radiant heat.


A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:

CSUSB’s commitment to a healthier environment is demonstrated through Arbor Day and Tree City USA recognition celebrations.

On a hot day, the sun's heat can dry exposed outdoor surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, hotter than the air temperature. Shaded or moist surfaces remain cooler and closer to air temperatures. Trees drastically contribute to the effects of heat island by deflecting the radiation from the sun and releasing more moisture into the air making it cooler.


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:
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