Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 70.62
Liaison Darcy Coughlan
Submission Date Dec. 22, 2022

STARS v2.2

Coastal Carolina University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Darcy Coughlan
Associate Director
Sustain Coastal
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
251.31 Hectares

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 Hectares
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 251.31 Hectares
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 0 Hectares
Total area of managed grounds 251.31 Hectares

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:
A 1,105-acre tract that includes a portion of Waties Island provides a natural laboratory for extensive study in marine science and wetlands biology on an Atlantic coast barrier island.

Organic program

Percentage of grounds managed organically:
0

If reporting an organic program, provide:

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program 

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

If reporting an IPM program, provide:

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
A brief description of the IPM program:
Coastal Carolina University has developed its own IPM plan that it follows for the entire campus. Attached is the full IPM plan.

Here is some language from the IPM plan that outlines the purpose and goals:

Statement of Purpose - The purpose of this integrated pest management (IPM) plan is to guide the use of environmentally sensitive pest management strategies and least-toxic control methods at Coastal Carolina University to enhance the health and safety of building users, and protect the environment. To ensure building users are informed and empowered to care for their own health with regard to pest management activities, the plan includes procedures for notifying occupants and visitors in advance of any pesticide application other than a least-toxic pesticide.

Goals - The goals of the IPM program at Coastal Carolina University are:

1.Protect human health and the surrounding environment by employing a range of preventative strategies and using least-toxic products for pest control and eradication.

2.Inspect and monitor pest populations and locations to enhance control strategies.

3.Minimize the quantity and toxicity of chemicals used for pest management.

4.Minimize environmental impacts by using species-specific pesticides and targeting application areas carefully.

5.Establish clear criteria for acceptable circumstances in which using a pesticide other than a least-toxic pesticide is necessary; toxic pesticides shall only be used when there is a threat to public health and safety, or to prevent economic or environmental damage, and only after other alternatives have been implemented and are shown to be ineffective.

6.Provide building occupants and visitors with advanced notice of IPM activities involving use of a pesticide other than a least-toxic pesticide.

Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The Grounds staff relocates plants and uses native plants as much as possible. They strive to limit cutting down vegetation. The University is located in the City of Conway limits, which includes being a part of the Tree City USA program.

A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Grounds minimizes the use of potable water as much as possible in irrigation. Instead Grounds will utilize water from storm-water ponds for irrigation. Wetlands are protected through guidelines by the OCRM through SCDHEC.

A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
The Ground staff composts all yard waste, grass clippings are grass-cycled, and pre-consumer compost helps to contribute to the integrity of the compost material.

A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
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A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.