Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.91
Liaison Andrew Bernard
Submission Date July 26, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Central New Mexico Community College
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Molly Blumhoefer
Campus as a Living Lab and Sustainability Project Manager
PPD
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
303.93 Acres

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 0 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 303.93 Acres
Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) 0 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 303.93 Acres

If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:

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):
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program 

Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
0

If reporting an IPM program, provide:

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
A brief description of the IPM program:
CNM does not apply any chemicals for pest control whatsoever. Please see attached letter.

Organic Program

Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
100

If reporting an organic program, provide:

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:
CNM does not apply any chemicals for pest control whatsoever. CNM also does not apply fertilizers. Please see attache letter.

Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
CNM has implemented a landscaping plan that includes xeriscaping techniques in an effort to reduce water and maintenance to the CNM campus. CNM strives to meet the requirements of the related LEED credits, specifically SSc5.1 Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat and SSc5.2 Site Development - Maximize Open Space, whenever possible. The CNM Environmental Sustainability and Climate Neutrality Plan identified the following pertaining to management of invasive species: Goal: Reduce use of toxic chemicals. Relevant Actions: (a) Continually research use of non-toxic or less toxic chemicals. (b) Research commercial grade Green Seal Certified chemicals.

A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
CNM strives to meet the requirements of the related LEED credits, specifically SSc6.1 Stormwater Design - Quantity Control and SSc6.2 Stormwater Design - Quality Control, whenever possible. The CNM Envionmental Sustainability and Climate Neutrality Plan identified the following pertaining to implementation of a reclaimed water system for landscape and development of a landscape irrigation and water strategy plan: management of invasive species: Goal: Implement a reclaimed water system to landscape area across CNM campuses. Relevant Actions: (a) Develop a reclaimed water plan for CNM. CNM does not need potable water for irrigation and should look at options when available to use reclaimed water in landscaping. (b) Review storm water and drainage at all campuses to see if opportunities exist to use storm water runoff in irrigation areas. (c) Review and develop a partnership with the local agencies such as the City of Albuquerque to use reclaimed water for certain landscaping areas and parking lots. (d) Develop a landscaping irrigation water strategy and outreach plan. The plan will outline best practices for landscape irrigation as well as a plan for educating grounds staff regarding best practices. Goal: Develop a landscape irrigation and water strategy plan. Relevant Actions: (a) Purchase and install water meters in all buildings as well as irrigation lines. Track information on a monthly basis to see water usage. (b) Sub meter the landscaping to obtain a better of water use. (c) Sub meter 100% of the buildings for water usage. Goal: Have an educated campus community regarding sustainable landscaping initiatives. Relevant Actions: Perform outreach to 100% of the incoming students and post signage with sustainable conservation messages. The outreach will stress ongoing behavioral changes that the campus community can take to reduce water usage.

A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
CNM only has one grass area that is currently under design for xeriscaping and will be removed before spring 2020. Clippings, at this time, are left in place. Other debris have been sent to a local composting operation run by an instructor on site.

A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
CNM has replaced a majority of landscaping with new drought tolerant native plants and worked on placing drip irrigation systems throughout to minimize water use. ALl exterior lighting on new buildings utilize LED lighting.

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):
CNM does not apply deicers to parking lots or areas that are not heavily traveled by people. All non-essential areas are roped off and wherever necessary, CNM M&O uses an ice melt called Premiere ICE-MELTER. This ice melt is non-corrosive and is safe for vegetation unlike ice melt that contains chloride.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The footprint of the institution's buildings includes our temporary buildings (portables). No updates for summer 2016

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.