| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.18 |
| Liaison | Chris Adam |
| Submission Date | Dec. 30, 2024 |
Dawson College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Chris
Adam Coordinator Sustainability Office |
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 | 5.40 Hectares |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 0 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 5.40 Hectares |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
n/a
Organic program
If reporting an organic program, provide:
The entire grounds are pesticide, fungicide and herbicide free. No oil based fertilizers are used and compost from our internal vermicomposting program is placed back into gardens. Grass clippings are left on grounds and pilot areas where leaves are left in the fall has been implemented.
Trees that are cut for safety reasons on the property are chipped or cut into pieces and used in micro-habitats. Snags are left standing as micro-habitas and nesting sites for birds.
A "nurse log" garden was created in a parking lot specifically to study and observe mushroom growth in the fall 2022.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
Update 2024: All grounds pesticide/herbicide/fungicide free. The IPM guidelines are written into the landscape guideline manual (page 9) and approved by the director of facilities, the manager of sustainability (facilities), the Sustainability Office and the Sustainability Advisory Committee. The manual clearly states the responsible parties for the various gardens on campus to ensure clarity of procedure. This campus grounds also work with the IPM guidelines listed on page 9 of the Landscape Management Guidelines document.
Optional Fields
As trees die and gardens are maintained, native plants are replaced continually. A minimum of 75 % of all garden plants are native species, with designated ecological zones having 100% native species. Care for gardens and natural landscapes in general is now written into the student code of conduct and all trees are catalogued and their health status established.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Dawson's first bioretention project constructed by students that captures water from one rooftop was constructed along one wing of the building in 2022. A second one is planned for 2025. Native plants that can withstand normal Montreal summers are chosen over non-native plants. Bioswales are being created along roof drip lines. Precipitation levels on each rooftop and where that water flows is mapped and actively being reviewed to develop water management that keeps water on the property.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
All grass clippings are left on site and raised composters are part of the rooftop vegetable gardens. Composting is also collected in every hallway at 99 collection sites. 1 ton is collected per week (Benchmark 2021-22) and sent to a composting centre in Montreal. Outdoor composting is also implemented near the College Ecological Peace Garden. Trees that are cut are chipped on site and used as compost around existing mature trees.
*An indigenous blessing is held for all trees over 100 years of age before cutting.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Night sky guidelines exist and outdoor lighting is used for only safety reasons. The majority of lights point only to where the light is needed and all parking lot safety lights point downwards. Water sprinklers are used on green rooftops for safety and plant propagation reasons and are set on timers to dispense water at night, several times a week.
Trees are planted to cover as much pavement as possible as part of a climate action strategy. A minimum of 40% coverage is the minimum coverage objective. A new landscape master plan is being developed (2023) and the college plans to increase biodiversity significantly.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
2024: Large grassy areas on campus were designated to become wildflower gardens to help pollinators. A hugel garden was creates aong a 30m regeneration corridor that will link a hedge on either side of the city block. Leaves from on-site trees were placed in micr-habitat zones in parking lots and the regenerating area. Grass will only be cut every two weeks and not during clover blooming season to further provide food for pollinators.
Rooftop gardens were considered part of the master landscape plan in 2023.
In 2022, the college added important wording in the student code of conduct under the "Care & Regard of Property" section. An addition titled College Gardens & Grounds specifies expected behaviour related to landscape (p12 - see file attached).
Natural mulch is used in the garden (phragmites mulch was piloted one year) and natural pesticides are made by volunteers and applied to vegetables when needed. Invasive species (e.g. goutweed) are removed by hand by our Sustainabili-Team volunteers who work in the gardens daily.
All snow removed from parking lots, sidewalks and paved areas is kept on site and melts on the campus grounds.
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:
Managers that have over 25 years of experience at Dawson were valuable sources of information regarding such information points as past practices, how the building obtained heritage status, tree care, and soil testing for various reasons. Capturing information in exit interviews or before is most important in the sustainability process.
Management of the non-garden landscape is directed by the sustainability representative of the Dawson Facilities maintenance team.
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.