| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.15 |
| Liaison | Emma Blandford |
| Submission Date | Feb. 29, 2024 |
Georgia Institute of Technology
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.03 / 2.00 |
Emma
Blandford Portfolio Manager Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area:
426
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 | 11 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 305 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 316 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
The total campus area excludes the footprint of the institution's buildings (just over 100 acres).
Organic program
3.48
If reporting an organic program, provide:
Georgia Tech features 3.5 acres of naturalized land south of Ferst Drive near the Howey Physics complex. Woods there are allowed to grow naturally.
The 7.5 acres of Georgia Tech’s EcoCommons adjacent to The Kendeda Building are managed organically.
The 0.5 acre of building footprint around The Kendeda Building is also managed organically but this is included in a building footprint and thus excluded from the count of organically managed ground.
The 7.5 acres of Georgia Tech’s EcoCommons adjacent to The Kendeda Building are managed organically.
The 0.5 acre of building footprint around The Kendeda Building is also managed organically but this is included in a building footprint and thus excluded from the count of organically managed ground.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
96.52
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
---
A brief description of the IPM program:
The objective of Georgia Tech’s IPM plan is to reduce the occurrence of pests while ensuring minimal human exposure to health risk and inflicting minimal hazards on the environment. An effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of the following common-sense practices designed to reduce the amount of pesticides used in landscape management:
● Cultural practices - Selection of native plants, analysis of soil type, location and soil preparation, and planting beds free of weeds and disease material
● Identification - Accurate identification of the pest problems and the use of recommended products at proper rates
● Intervention - Physical (mowing, pulling and pruning) or chemical (pre-emergence and post emergence)
The IPM plan consists of the following steps
1. Set Action Threshold and Scouting: Determine acceptable damage threshold in the event of infestation.
2. Prevention: Plant pest resistant varieties; native plants; keep plants healthy; fertilize and water regularly with proper soil preparation. Apply mulch 2 times per year to prevent weeds and increase soil moisture content.
3. Monitor and Identify Pests: Ensure proper pest identification, monitor life cycle and stages of pests, track seasonally to document increase/decrease of pest infestations.
4. Control: When possible, control pests with cultural, mechanical and conventional chemical control. Chemical intervention should be used as a last resort, and when used, should be applied at the recommended lower rate.
● Cultural practices - Selection of native plants, analysis of soil type, location and soil preparation, and planting beds free of weeds and disease material
● Identification - Accurate identification of the pest problems and the use of recommended products at proper rates
● Intervention - Physical (mowing, pulling and pruning) or chemical (pre-emergence and post emergence)
The IPM plan consists of the following steps
1. Set Action Threshold and Scouting: Determine acceptable damage threshold in the event of infestation.
2. Prevention: Plant pest resistant varieties; native plants; keep plants healthy; fertilize and water regularly with proper soil preparation. Apply mulch 2 times per year to prevent weeds and increase soil moisture content.
3. Monitor and Identify Pests: Ensure proper pest identification, monitor life cycle and stages of pests, track seasonally to document increase/decrease of pest infestations.
4. Control: When possible, control pests with cultural, mechanical and conventional chemical control. Chemical intervention should be used as a last resort, and when used, should be applied at the recommended lower rate.
Optional Fields
Georgia Tech campus vegetation plays both an ecological and a design role. It fosters a sustainable campus and contributes to both beauty and environmental health. Sustainable use of vegetation at Georgia Tech is governed by ecological principles, site assessment, and interface with human use.
Georgia Tech acknowledges the importance of using native plant species in landscaping practices. Once established, native plants do not need pesticides, fertilizers, or watering as they are accustomed to local conditions; therefore, they are more resistant to pest problems. As a result, pesticides are seldom needed, which improves water quality.
In addition, the use of native plants reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation since they are used to the rainfall cycle of the local environment. This allows for better stormwater management. To ensure that native vegetation is protected, the campus IPM plan is used to protect native vegetation from contamination or spread of invasive species.
Georgia Tech and the Landscape Services department won the 2023 Green Star GRAND award in the category of Urban University Grounds from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). This is the highest award ever achieved by Georgia Tech from this nationally recognized organization. In addition, Georgia Tech garnered the Sustainability award for innovation in sustainable grounds maintenance. The campus achieved Level II Certified Arboretum for the first time in 2016 and again in 2021. This level is recognized by both the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum, for achieving specific standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.
Georgia Tech acknowledges the importance of using native plant species in landscaping practices. Once established, native plants do not need pesticides, fertilizers, or watering as they are accustomed to local conditions; therefore, they are more resistant to pest problems. As a result, pesticides are seldom needed, which improves water quality.
In addition, the use of native plants reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation since they are used to the rainfall cycle of the local environment. This allows for better stormwater management. To ensure that native vegetation is protected, the campus IPM plan is used to protect native vegetation from contamination or spread of invasive species.
Georgia Tech and the Landscape Services department won the 2023 Green Star GRAND award in the category of Urban University Grounds from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). This is the highest award ever achieved by Georgia Tech from this nationally recognized organization. In addition, Georgia Tech garnered the Sustainability award for innovation in sustainable grounds maintenance. The campus achieved Level II Certified Arboretum for the first time in 2016 and again in 2021. This level is recognized by both the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum, for achieving specific standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Georgia Tech takes a multifaceted approach to designing and managing landscapes that improve natural hydrology and reduce potable water use.
● Bioswales: Several bioswales are in place within the Georgia Tech campus, in addition to the implementation of the Eco-Commons. The Eco-Commons underlies in the idea of “hydrological convergence” in trying to restore a forest hydrology rather than a typical urban watershed. The Eco-Common includes expanding woodlands along with man-made storage and irrigation systems to intercept, infiltrate, harvest, and redistribute stormwater and condensate from buildings.
● Impervious pavements: Impervious pavers that reduce runoff and help absorb water into the ground are used in various locations around campus, including around The Kendeda Building.
● Cisterns: Georgia Tech has a large-scale cistern system that captures rainwater at multiple locations around campus.
● Raingardens: The construction of the Klaus building in 2007 resulted in the installation of the first significant rain garden on the Georgia Tech Campus. This project also included reforestation as part of campus sustainability initiatives. Rain gardens are also located behind Boggs Chemistry, behind Laser Lab, in the EBB/EcoCommons and at the Carbon Neutral Building.
● Infiltration Cells: Since 2014 Stamps Recreation Fields, the most utilized practice field in the Southeast, is a rainwater infiltration area that recharges Georgia Tech's basin's groundwater system. The infiltration cells installed beneath the field allow up to 44,500 cubic feet of water to be gradually released in the ground.
● Land use change – The implementation of the EcoCommons in 2021 represented a dramatic change from a parking lot to green space. This improved Georgia Tech’s runoff coefficient.
● Bioswales: Several bioswales are in place within the Georgia Tech campus, in addition to the implementation of the Eco-Commons. The Eco-Commons underlies in the idea of “hydrological convergence” in trying to restore a forest hydrology rather than a typical urban watershed. The Eco-Common includes expanding woodlands along with man-made storage and irrigation systems to intercept, infiltrate, harvest, and redistribute stormwater and condensate from buildings.
● Impervious pavements: Impervious pavers that reduce runoff and help absorb water into the ground are used in various locations around campus, including around The Kendeda Building.
● Cisterns: Georgia Tech has a large-scale cistern system that captures rainwater at multiple locations around campus.
● Raingardens: The construction of the Klaus building in 2007 resulted in the installation of the first significant rain garden on the Georgia Tech Campus. This project also included reforestation as part of campus sustainability initiatives. Rain gardens are also located behind Boggs Chemistry, behind Laser Lab, in the EBB/EcoCommons and at the Carbon Neutral Building.
● Infiltration Cells: Since 2014 Stamps Recreation Fields, the most utilized practice field in the Southeast, is a rainwater infiltration area that recharges Georgia Tech's basin's groundwater system. The infiltration cells installed beneath the field allow up to 44,500 cubic feet of water to be gradually released in the ground.
● Land use change – The implementation of the EcoCommons in 2021 represented a dramatic change from a parking lot to green space. This improved Georgia Tech’s runoff coefficient.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Groundskeeping waste is generally composted in place. For Grass clippings are recycled through the use of mulching mowers, reducing nitrogen requirements of the soil, and minimizing impact on landfill waste.
Leaves are either a) blown into bed areas to serve as natural mulch for plant material, or b) removed to a compost area, where they are allowed to break down until they can be used for soil amendments, etc.
The Landscaping Services recycles grass clippings, wood products, fallen leaves, and pruning products from shrubs on campus. Additional details are below.
● Leaf Management: With over 15,000 trees on campus, many that are deciduous, leaf management at Georgia Tech is challenging. To keep our walkways and bike paths clean and safe we utilize a combination of giant Versa-Vacs and several smaller vacuums. During leaf season we collect three to four loads of leaf material, per week, at 60 cubic yards per load. These leaves are taken to a site at the edge of campus where they are composted to the point that the material can be used for mulch or soil amendments.
● Mulching Mowers: All mowers in our department are "mulching mowers". This means that they are equipped with discharge plates, mulching baffles and mulching blades. These pieces work together to ensure proper placement of clippings. By mulching all turf on campus, we eliminate a large amount of organic waste from the landfill while providing moisture and a natural fertilizer for the turf areas.
● Natural Mulching: Preserving our bio-load from landscaping activities and re-using that load on campus helps prevent the production of additional greenhouse gas emissions. When organic matter decomposes in an anaerobic environment, methane is produced. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gas emissions, being 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide across a 100-year period.
● Wood: Our tree maintenance crew captures all wood from our maintenance and removal operations. Some of the wood logs are saved and re-used in building structures, where possible. We also require any outside contractors to leave their chips on campus. All wood chips are used on campus as healthy mulch for our smaller shrubs and beds. We estimate that this practice keeps 600-700 yards of wood chips on campus and out of the landfill.
Leaves are either a) blown into bed areas to serve as natural mulch for plant material, or b) removed to a compost area, where they are allowed to break down until they can be used for soil amendments, etc.
The Landscaping Services recycles grass clippings, wood products, fallen leaves, and pruning products from shrubs on campus. Additional details are below.
● Leaf Management: With over 15,000 trees on campus, many that are deciduous, leaf management at Georgia Tech is challenging. To keep our walkways and bike paths clean and safe we utilize a combination of giant Versa-Vacs and several smaller vacuums. During leaf season we collect three to four loads of leaf material, per week, at 60 cubic yards per load. These leaves are taken to a site at the edge of campus where they are composted to the point that the material can be used for mulch or soil amendments.
● Mulching Mowers: All mowers in our department are "mulching mowers". This means that they are equipped with discharge plates, mulching baffles and mulching blades. These pieces work together to ensure proper placement of clippings. By mulching all turf on campus, we eliminate a large amount of organic waste from the landfill while providing moisture and a natural fertilizer for the turf areas.
● Natural Mulching: Preserving our bio-load from landscaping activities and re-using that load on campus helps prevent the production of additional greenhouse gas emissions. When organic matter decomposes in an anaerobic environment, methane is produced. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gas emissions, being 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide across a 100-year period.
● Wood: Our tree maintenance crew captures all wood from our maintenance and removal operations. Some of the wood logs are saved and re-used in building structures, where possible. We also require any outside contractors to leave their chips on campus. All wood chips are used on campus as healthy mulch for our smaller shrubs and beds. We estimate that this practice keeps 600-700 yards of wood chips on campus and out of the landfill.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Georgia Tech’s tree canopy coverage is 23% of the campus in 2023. This increases shade and reduces the heat-island effect.
Georgia Tech is a leading institution in the Urban Heat ATL project, which tracks heat islands in Atlanta and can be used as a resource informing land-use decisions.
Georgia Tech is also wrapping up its new Campus Comprehensive Plan, which will include information about landscape management.
https://campusplan.gatech.edu/about/
Georgia Tech is a leading institution in the Urban Heat ATL project, which tracks heat islands in Atlanta and can be used as a resource informing land-use decisions.
Georgia Tech is also wrapping up its new Campus Comprehensive Plan, which will include information about landscape management.
https://campusplan.gatech.edu/about/
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Georgia Tech is increasing its use of electric landscaping equipment. This equipment reduces noise and air pollution on campus, creating a healthier environment. In FY22, the landscaping department purchased blowers, shears, weed eaters, edgers, chain saws, batteries, and chargers. The current stock totals around 120 pieces of electric equipment, batteries, and chargers plus two electric riding mowers.
A full equipment list is available here: https://facilities.gatech.edu/landscaping-sustainable-management
A full equipment list is available here: https://facilities.gatech.edu/landscaping-sustainable-management
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:
Award-Winning Campus Landscape (2023): https://news.gatech.edu/news/2023/11/08/georgia-techs-award-winning-campus-landscape
Georgia Tech Cisterns (2017): https://news.gatech.edu/archive/features/hidden-georgia-tech-cistern-system-tech-green.shtml#:~:text=Hidden%20under%203%20to%204,into%20a%20750%2C000%2Dgallon%20container.
Rainwater Management at Kendeda (2020): https://livingbuilding.gatech.edu/node/399
Infiltration Cells: https://www.crc.gatech.edu/about/sustainability-crc
Urban Heat ATL: https://urbanheatatl.org/
Georgia Tech Cisterns (2017): https://news.gatech.edu/archive/features/hidden-georgia-tech-cistern-system-tech-green.shtml#:~:text=Hidden%20under%203%20to%204,into%20a%20750%2C000%2Dgallon%20container.
Rainwater Management at Kendeda (2020): https://livingbuilding.gatech.edu/node/399
Infiltration Cells: https://www.crc.gatech.edu/about/sustainability-crc
Urban Heat ATL: https://urbanheatatl.org/
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.