| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.34 |
| Liaison | Ciannat Howett |
| Submission Date | July 25, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Emory University
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.79 / 2.00 |
Kelly
Weisinger Director Office of Sustainability Initiatives |
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 614.80 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 79 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 0 Acres |
Area of managed grounds that is::
| Area | |
| Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan | 0 Acres |
| Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined | 222.80 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 313 Acres |
A copy of the IPM plan:
The IPM plan :
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
Emory follows LEED-Silver guidelines in planning and designing our new landscapes.
Existing landscapes are managed with the following as over-riding principles:
1) Xeriscape principles of selecting the correct drought tolerant plant species for a given desired landscape effect (turf, tree, shrub bed, natural area) Location, exposure, soil composition, moisture retention are additional factors that determine plant species selection for a given site.
2) IPM is practiced in the management of diseases and pests.
3) Turf areas are minimized to decrease labor cost, materials cost, and pollution from mowers.
4) Forested canopy is maintained and increased to increase carbon sequestration, provide wildlife habitat, and to provide cooling shade.
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
The Emory Sustainability Vision set a goal to "restore forested lands and control harmful invasive species on university campus". In conjunction with this goal, the “use of native plant materials” is included in the Elements of the Emory Vocabulary recorded in the Campus Master Plan Update 2005. All plant material shall comply with the Landscape Master Plan Palette included in the Emory University Campus Design Guidelines. The Landscape Master Plan Palette is a list of plants native to plant hardiness zone 7. Plant material not included in the Landscape Master Plan Palette must be approved by the Emory University Superintendent of Roads and Grounds and the Emory University Landscape Architect.
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
Green waste from landscape maintenance activities is included in Emory's Composting Program, which also handles food waste from campus dining facilities. Emory partners with Southern Green Industries for collection and transport of compostable waste to a local facility.
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
Disturbed soils are amended with compost.
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
Compost is used for semi-annual plantings and is purchased from the same facility that Emory's food waste compost is sent to, closing the loop. Plant materials are purchased from local sources. Indigenous stone is used in hardscape construction.
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
Emory practices continual streambank restoration and management. Cisterns are located around campus that allow for harvested rainwater to be used wherever the water is needed. Bioretention swales have been constructed in several areas, which are designed to filter stormwater runoff from pavement, and slow the flow of water before it returns to the watershed.
Emory is committed to restoring and maintaining the connectivity of Emory's forests, particularly the natural corridor along South Peachtree Creek from Wesley Woods, through Harwood Forest and the Lullwater Preserve, within the context of its Piedmont origins.
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
The Emory Grounds Department uses an environmentally friendly product for de-icer.
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
Emory Universitity has designated 306 acres of the 736.40 acres of campus as Preserved which means this land will not be built upon. Right in the middle of Emory's campus, Lullwater Preserve offers acres of green space with trees, lawns and a lake for community members to enjoy. The estate is home to an English Tudor mansion where the University president lives with, by all appearances, at least 175 wildlife species as neighbors. Emory is committed to restoring and maintaining the connectivity of Emory's forests, particularly the natural corridor along South Peachtree Creek from Wesley Woods, through Harwood Forest and the Lullwater Preserve, within the context of its Piedmont origins.
Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Lullwater Preserve Species List: http://www.emory.edu/home/about/anniversary/175-of-everything/wildlife.html
Emory's Forest Management Plan:http://sustainability.emory.edu/uploads/press/2014/04/2014040910595134/forest-management-plan.pdf
Emory's No Net Loss of Tree Canopy Policy: http://www.campserv.emory.edu/facilities_management/Documents/forest_canopy.pdf
Lullwater Preserve Species List: http://www.emory.edu/home/about/anniversary/175-of-everything/wildlife.html
Emory's Forest Management Plan:http://sustainability.emory.edu/uploads/press/2014/04/2014040910595134/forest-management-plan.pdf
Emory's No Net Loss of Tree Canopy Policy: http://www.campserv.emory.edu/facilities_management/Documents/forest_canopy.pdf
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.