| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.66 |
| Liaison | Christina Erickson |
| Submission Date | Aug. 15, 2022 |
Champlain College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.25 / 2.00 |
Tim
Van Woert Director Facilities |
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 | 3.44 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 23.86 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 27.30 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The area of Upper campus, Middle Campus, down to Perry area over to Finney Quad and Skiff does not receive any chemical treatments.
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:
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.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
As outlined in our Landscape Master Plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k6VjEFNzUgtwNwEaknRTJF7KUNH9Yh9E/view?usp=sharing
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 a 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.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
As outlined in our Landscape Master Plan & Stormwater Master Plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k6VjEFNzUgtwNwEaknRTJF7KUNH9Yh9E/view?usp=sharing
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.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iWZ2d38QwmQJRPk1kYSUgtOKcSDdyPkV/view?usp=sharing
p. 3: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As Champlain College plans for the future, an important issue will be the proper management of stormwater. 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 stormwater 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 stormwater 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 stormwater 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 stormwater and related permit considerations.
• Summarize stormwater 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)
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Lawn and garden debris is composted, woody debris goes to the McNeil electricity generating plant for fuel.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
LED-lights for exterior usage.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
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.
Perry constructed wetland became a Wild for Pollinators area (December 2016) http://vcgn.org/wild-for-pollinators/
Campus Apiary joined the National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Pollinator Pledge, May 2020. https://www.champlain.edu/student-life/campus-and-community-programs/sustain-champlain/programs-sustain-champlain/champlain-apiary\
A 5 tree fruit orchard was planted in May 2022 (peaches, plums, cherries) near Perry Hall.
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:
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%.
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%.
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.