| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.09 |
| Liaison | Ciara Tennis |
| Submission Date | Nov. 10, 2021 |
Eastern Connecticut State University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.90 / 2.00 |
Renee
Theroux-Keech Interim Director Office of Facilities Management & Planning |
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 | 68.94 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 7.88 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 76.82 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Arboretum, Mansfield Athletic Complex, small areas of wildflowers outside of the Science Building and Low Rise Residence Hall, small wooded areas behind the Knight House and the Institute for Sustainable Energy.
There is a total of 23.70 acres of forested area on Eastern's main campus and 45.24 acres of forested area at the Mansfield Athletic Complex.
23.70 + 45.24 = 68.94 acres total forested area
The acreage of land at Eastern that is controlled through the IPM but does utilize pesticides as needed is 7.88 Acres.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Forested areas remain undisturbed. Many of these areas are left wild and no fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides are applied to these grounds.
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:
Eastern's grounds management contractor is certified by NOFA (Northeast Organic Farm Association of CT). Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection sets the best management practices for IPM and they certify the contractors.
Renee Theroux-Keech, Director of Facilities Management & Planning, is using DEEP’s template to develop Eastern's IPM program.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Eastern Connecticut State University's Design Guidelines includes a preference for native non-invasive plants.
During the fall 2021 semester, Biology students periodically identified invasive and native plants on campus grounds. This data will be mapped in GIS and shared with Facilities to help remove invasive species and promote native plants on campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
In front of Eastern's Science Building, there is a bioswale which includes native vegetation, pervious pavement, and a rainwater collection system of troughs. At one of the lower points on campus during rain events, storm water run off toward the Science Building and is slowed down by planted vegetation on steep slopes, pervious pavement and bioswale collection. The Science Building also uses a graywater system. Facilities has also started to establish rain gardens, which capture rain water and allow it to filter back into the aquafer.
Native plants help with water use because they require less water to grow and thrive.
The Fine Arts Instructional Center, Communications Building, Goddard Hall, and Shafer Hall are all designed with native plants and no irrigation, which is a change from our previous design practices. In the design of new or renovated buildings, irrigation is being excluded to reduce water use.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Grass is mown fairly often during the growing season, so grass clippings do not need to be removed. At the athletic field, grass clippings are moved to a designated organics waste pile which stays on campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Trees and bushes are transplanted if the area is changed.
A vinegar-based weed killer is used to be more environmentally friendly.
Eastern have greatly reduced the use of salt on roads and now use more environmentally friendly ice melt products on sidewalks. Excess snow is also taken off site and allowed to melt meaning the impact on campus is greatly reduced.
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:
Information for this credit was provided by Renee Theroux-Keech, Director of Facilities Management & Planning.
Information for this credit was provided by Renee Theroux-Keech, Director of Facilities Management & Planning.
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.