| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.23 |
| Liaison | Jeff Jeremiason |
| Submission Date | Nov. 30, 2021 |
Gustavus Adolphus College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.01 / 2.00 |
Peter
Maiers Grounds Service Manager Facilities |
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 | 1 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 253.58 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 254.58 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Managed grounds include all vegetated acreage of Gustavus property, including the Arboretum, as well the landscape yard. This excludes building footprints, sidewalks, roads, and other impervious surfaces such as artificial turf fields and tennis courts.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The student-run campus farm, Big Hill Farm, is a 1 acre micro-farm producing food for use in the campus cafeteria. The farm is managed organically, which includes using a low-input strategy and focusing on sourcing inputs locally, soil regeneration practices, no use of pesticides/herbicides, low/no tilling, and crop rotation. All the practices used at Big Hill Farm have roots in traditional and indigenous practices.
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:
Although Gustavus does not have an official IPM program, Grounds Services does practice proper protocol to ensure that we use as few synthetic chemicals as possible. This is done by finding alternative methods or by timing spraying events to maximize effectiveness.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Grounds Services makes a dedicated effort to utilize native plants and cultivate plant stewardship in its traditional landscaping as well as restored prairies. This involves choosing locally sourced or ecologically appropriate plants, shrubs and trees, choosing native species where possible, and planting with pollinators and wildlife in mind for landscaped areas, as well as controlling and managing invasive species. Additionally, the Linnaeus Arboretum focuses on plant stewardship through the establishment of native plant communities, and the continued cultivation of these communities toward the goal of reconstructing and restoring plant communities via native plant species introductions, invasive species removal and the strategic use of prescribed fire.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Gustavus utilizes three surface basins to detain rainwater, promote infiltration, and prevent downstream flooding. The college also utilizes a number of rain gardens and perforated underground piping systems to infiltrate collected rainwater. Other means of Low Impact Development include the use of pervious pavers in the parking lot to the college’s Arboretum. In addition, the college utilizes a rainwater collection system to help provide irrigation for the campus microfarm’s greenhouse.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Landscape materials are reused where possible (e.g rock, pavers, etc.). Yard waste, grass clippings, leaves, and wood chips are used in the campus composter or brought to the local yard waste site for composting and/or mulching.
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:
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.