| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.54 |
| Liaison | Kevin Miller |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
Goshen College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.69 / 2.00 |
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 | 147 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 64.75 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 211.75 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Active land management has occurred since Merry Lea came under the ownership of Goshen College in 1980. Land management activities support all aspects of Merry Lea’s mission. Merry Lea maintains, restores and manages for a diversity of native Northeast Indiana plant and animals. Much of the acreage not identified here is natural landscape at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Merry Lea actively identifies and restores ecosystems representative of the pre-European settlement (ca. 1830’s) landscape found in NE Indiana. These include: wetland communities (52 ac.), dry oak woodland and savanna (13 ac) and tall grass prairie (77 ac.). Except for the Bear Lake Prairie, prairie sites were created on abandoned cropland using local genotype (purchased or collected on-site) grass and forb (wildflower) species that have be recorded as native to Noble County (Flora of Indiana, C. Deam, 1940). Creation of prairie habitat and restoration of the oak woodland community will continue for decades to come.
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:
Integrated Pest Management covers all areas of Goshen College’s campus. Pests are managed as needed rather than routinely, allowing for the minimum necessary amount of pesticides to be used.
Most of the pests are seasonal and predictable, so preventative measures are also taken. For example, because certain grubs are predictable, the grub control substance is integrated into the fertilizer system.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Approximately 12 acres of Goshen College property contains native landscaping using prairie grasses and native wildflowers. This area is subject to prescribed burns and occasional high mowing. These areas will no longer receive fertilizer or pesticides.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Most of the stormwater runoff on campus is collected in a large retention pond at the southeast end of the campus. Other areas are diverted to a detention area that overflows into the Elkhart River. Only a small number of older buildings direct storm water to the city sewer system.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Goshen College composts or mulches most of their landscape waste products. Mulching mowers are used on lawns so that leaves and other plant matter can provide nutrients for the soil. Underbrush from shrubbery is either spread on fields. Branches and shrub trimmings are often taken care of by a contracted chipper. Some of the product of this is used as mulch for the college. In some cases, underbrush waste is thrown in the dumpster.
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:
Goshen College has not explicitly made policies to reduce the environmental impact of snow and ice removal. The college uses liquid ice ban, a corn-based product, as well as an ice melter blend of several different chlorides. A rotary broom tractor is used to clear sidewalks. The college also contracts an outside company to put down a sand and rock-salt mixture on the main drives. At the end of the winter, much of this mixture is removed by the company.
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:
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.