| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.41 |
| Liaison | Ian Johnson |
| Submission Date | April 19, 2024 |
Colorado College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.04 / 2.00 |
Josh
Ortiz Landscape and Grounds Supervisor Facilities Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area:
98.94
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 | 3.71 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 95.23 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 98.94 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
As an urban campus, Colorado College does not have any unmanaged land.
These numbers comprise Colorado College's main campus only, and do not include the Baca campus near Crestone, CO, or the CC Cabin near Florissant, CO. Both satellite campuses have separate management plans as outlined in OP-10.
These numbers comprise Colorado College's main campus only, and do not include the Baca campus near Crestone, CO, or the CC Cabin near Florissant, CO. Both satellite campuses have separate management plans as outlined in OP-10.
Organic program
3.75
If reporting an organic program, provide:
The CC Student Farm is managed organically by the Student Farm Club. Neem oil and other organically certified products are used to aid in pest repellent. Marigolds were also planted in beds to aid in pest control. To address problems with deer, egg whites, garlic, and cayenne pepper are used. Mostly organic seeds are ordered but organic hybridized seeds may be used in order to serve as much of our community as possible.
Colorado College also adds compost in various gardens every year.
Colorado College also adds compost in various gardens every year.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
96.25
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
Colorado College's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan, led by Landscape and Grounds Supervisor Josh Ortiz, aims to minimize economic, health, and environmental risks associated with pests. The plan includes an IPM Committee for annual reviews, responsibilities assigned to an IPM Coordinator and Site Coordinators, and regular staff training. Pesticide use prioritizes the least hazardous materials and complies with federal, state, and local regulations. Service provider contracts incorporate IPM program specifications, with special attention to pest-vulnerable areas. Administrative support is provided to minimize pesticide use, address recommended changes, and educate staff, students, and the public. Specific strategies, such as ant control, involve thorough identification, cleanup, maintenance repairs, occupant education, and further steps if needed. Overall, the plan emphasizes sustainable pest management while protecting the health and safety of the college community and the environment.
Optional Fields
The Grounds Department uses drought-tolerant xeriscape plants in many campus landscape areas and tries to limit grass to activity areas and sports fields. Buildings surrounded by or adjacent to areas that have successfully incorporated native and ecologically appropriate plants include Cutler Hall (native grass), Hulbert Center (native plant garden), Ticknor & Taylor, Morreale House, the Japanese Garden (bamboo and Japanese Maples), Bemis Hall, Cossitt Hall (native species and boulders from the foothill areas), Tutt Science, Shove Memorial Chappell (native sage), Palmer Hall (native grass), Cascade and Nevada medians, and Barnes Science (apache plume).
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
A centralized irrigation control computer provides efficient watering for the campus, and more than 95 percent of the campus is irrigated with nonpotable, reclaimed water. Irrigation is dictated by information provided by an on-campus weather station installed in the fall of 2007 at Stewart Field. This station monitors humidity, rainfall, temperature, and wind speed. It also feeds evapotranspiration (ET) data to the irrigation computer, which sets an order and duration for watering in each zone accordingly. The irrigation crew monitors the effectiveness of the program, occasionally overriding the automated system if observation indicates over or under-watering.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Grass clippings and leaves are mulched and returned to the soil. Weeds and small branches are sent to Republic Services to be turned into mulch.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Colorado College tries to be efficient as possible with new landscape design on campus. As one example, the Outdoor Education landscape was designed with xeric plant material and water saving irrigation products. It has an area for edible plants and compost containers. All new gardens have drip irrigation systems.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
The Colorado College Grounds Department uses a variety of salts for snow and ice removal. Ice Slicer™ Granular Ice Melt is applied to roadways. Ice Slicer is a mined mix of magnesium calcium, sodium, and potassium chlorides along with trace minerals. It is less costly and corrosive than other commonly used compounds, which are known to leach into and change the composition of soils and groundwater, it’s widely acknowledged as a more environmentally preferable option.
The use of less preferable options, such as liquid magnesium chloride, is minimal and is kept only to target areas, such as steps and ramps.
The use of less preferable options, such as liquid magnesium chloride, is minimal and is kept only to target areas, such as steps and ramps.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Stewardship of a Historic Landscape: Colorado College has been recognized by the Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs with its Award of Excellence for Stewardship of a Historic Landscape. The award commends the college for its arboretum and stewardship of its property, recognizes CC Arborist Michael Spruce as the steward, and lauds CC “in preserving our shared heritage.”
The HPA’s stewardship award “recognizes best practices in preservation maintenance for properties, sites or spaces which have maintained their historic integrity over time, including the historic, distinctive and character-defining features of the property through careful and consistent stewardship.”
Link: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/newsevents/newsroom/cc-earns-award-for-stewardship-of-a-historic-landscape#.Xln3t6hKg2w
The HPA’s stewardship award “recognizes best practices in preservation maintenance for properties, sites or spaces which have maintained their historic integrity over time, including the historic, distinctive and character-defining features of the property through careful and consistent stewardship.”
Link: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/newsevents/newsroom/cc-earns-award-for-stewardship-of-a-historic-landscape#.Xln3t6hKg2w
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.