Champlain College
OP-10: Landscape Management

We do not have a formalized IPM, but our general practice is that we do not use pesticides or herbicides on campus, except in extreme cases.

We do not have a formalized IPM, but our general practice is that we do not use pesticides or herbicides on campus, except in extreme cases.

As outlined in our Landscape Master Plan http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/About-Champlain/Master-Plan/LandscapeMasterPlanFINAL3-07.pdf p. 45-46: Perhaps due to the difficult growing conditions encountered on the College’s grounds, a number of recent plantings include species that are easy to find in the landscape trade, reasonably priced, and tough as nails. Unfortunately, some of these plants are also recognized as invasive non-native species and are no longer recommended for planting in the northeast. Although inconvenient, because a number of landscape stalwarts have been eliminated from the available planting palette, there is no question that certain invasive landscape management non-natives are harmful to the environment in the long run and should be removed from the College’s grounds. More on removal of invasives can be found on pages 47-49. Appendix A (p. 57-62) offers suggested planting palate, highlighting local species. Many of these have been used for recent landscaping projects around new construction areas including the Finney Quad residential area, Perry Hall, and the Center for Communication & Creative Media.

Lawn and garden debris is composted, also all woody debris goes to the McNeil electricity generating plant for fuel.

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As outlined in our Landscape Master Plan http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/About-Champlain/Master-Plan/LandscapeMasterPlanFINAL3-07.pdf P. 52-53: Perhaps the most effective and simplest remediation method, however, involves applying a layer of organic compost to the soil. Applying compost to turf areas has many benefits. It adds organic material and bulk to the soil. It helps to suppress plant pests and diseases. It restores soil structure and increases porosity, reversing the effects of compaction. It also improves stormwater retention, having been shown in studies to reduce surface runoff by 29%-50%. One of compost’s best qualities is that using it as an alternative to conventional turf management techniques reduces the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, potentially resulting in lower costs. In open lawn areas where tree roots and shallow utilities aren’t an issue, compost can be tilled directly into the soil. In spring or fall, the ideal times for lawn installation, the existing lawn is sprayed with a non-selective herbicide, left alone for two weeks, and then cut with a sod trimmer and removed from the site. The soil is then tilled up to a depth of eight inches, and a layer of custom-blended plant-based compost or manure-based compost is incorporated. As a general rule, a 2 to 1 ratio of existing soil to compost should be used to determine the correct application rate. This works out to a depth of about three to four inches over the lawn. After incorporation, a new lawn is established by seeding or laying sod. Another method involves tilling the existing lawn into the soil, waiting several months for the grass to decompose, and then incorporating compost and establishing a new lawn. Because the second method involves a longer period during which the soil is exposed, the first is recommended for Champlain College. A soil scientist should be consulted to test the soils on the campus in order to determine their bulk density and nutrient requirements. These tests can help the College to determine which lawns require renovation. The soil scientist can develop a custom compost blend suited to each area’s needs and recommend specific application methods and rates.

As outlined in our Landscape Master Plan & Stormwater Master Plan http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/About-Champlain/Master-Plan/LandscapeMasterPlanFINAL3-07.pdf p. 54: Champlain College is part of an urban watershed that drains into Lake Champlain. Runoff from impervious surfaces on the campus enters a municipal stormwater system operated by the City of Burlington. The City’s main plant continues to operate a combined sewer outfall (CSO) into the lake, which is also the source of Burlington’s drinking water. With the construction of new buildings on Champlain College’s campus, the College’s contribution to the municipal system will grow. As a matter of good environmental stewardship, the College should seek ways to reduce its dependence on the municipal stormwater system, and explore alternative futures for the water that currently runs from its grasp. Dealing responsibly with stormwater is decreasingly a matter of choice, as State permit requirements for stormwater discharge move closer to meeting stringent EPA mandates. The green roof constructed as part of the new Student Life Complex represents a positive step toward increasing the amount of stormwater that remains on site, closing an important loop in the hydrologic cycle, and pointing the way for future development. http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/About-Champlain/Master-Plan/StormwaterPlanMasterPlanFINAL3-07.pdf p. 3: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As Champlain College plans for the future, an important issue will be the proper management of storm water. This report summarizes the nature of storm water the campus experiences, identifies specific opportunities for storm water management, proposes general campus guidelines and lists known storm water issues on the campus. Also included is a summary of storm water permitting that will likely be required for projects of significance and a storm water maintenance plan. While many of the opportunities and improvements proposed are located solely on campus owned land, some depend on the purchase of property or acquiring of easements to enact. Likewise, there are other entities, such as Burlington Planning and Zoning and the Department of Public Works which will need to be consulted with as these improvement concepts are further developed and evaluated. PURPOSE Develop a master plan approach to managing storm water on the campus of Champlain College as follows: • Work with the master plan team and College to identify alternative potential storm water management opportunities. • Develop campus standards for storm water maintenance practices and future improvement projects at the College. • Work with College staff to develop a list of specific storm water issues. Prioritize the list and work with the College to address the issues. • Summarize storm water and related permit considerations. • Summarize storm water maintenance plan considerations. Key recent projects include: * Constructed wetland, permeable paving on walkways, and greenroof at Perry Hall (2011) * Swales / Rain gardens in Finney Quad (2013)

We use a product called "Natural Alternatives Ice Melt" which claims to use less amounts of calcium chloride (salt) than other products, and meets LEED guidelines, laid out by the US Green Building Council for all sidewalks and driveways.

Champlain is required to meet the City of Burlington's lot coverage requirement ~45%-50% for institutional zone. Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas was calculated by total campus acreage x 45%.