| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.64 |
| Liaison | Michelle Seppala Gibbs |
| Submission Date | May 2, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Hope College
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 2.00 |
Kara
Slater Director of Operations Physical Plant |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 150 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 12 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 30 Acres |
None
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 | 108 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 0 Acres |
None
A copy of the IPM plan:
None
The IPM plan :
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A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
Hope College maintains a beautiful campus that is considerate to our use of natural resources and environmental impacts.
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A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
We try to use native plant species as they will fit site conditions that replicate the native habitat. We do not plant native species to this region if the site has been altered to the point it is no longer a native habitat.
PLANTING BED MANAGEMENT
Buy bedding plants from local growers using site-specific plants and shrubs
Use perennials and grasses that need reduced care and water
Mulch with native hardwood bark
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A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
The Hope grounds department composts landscape waste, using the end result to create a compost tea for fertilizer. We use the soil for tree planting and turf renovation operations. We allow our grass clippings to decompose in the turf. Any landscape waste we do not compost onsite is removed by a compost company and taken to their compost facility.
Do not bag clippings from mowing.
Mulch 100% of leaves into the turf and only remove leaves when necessary.
There is a reduced mowing frequency on lower priority sites.
Collect cultural care waste from pruning and bed clean up for composting.
Compost grass clippings from the athletic fields on site.
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A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
Purchase locally composted soil.
Take soil tests twice a year.
Use organic fertilizers when possible.
Use organic pest control products.
None
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
Buy bedding plants from local growers using site-specific plants and shrubs.
Use perennials and grasses that need reduced care and water.
Mulch with native hardwood bark.
Purchase locally composted soil, take soil tests twice a year, use organic fertilizers when possible and use organic pest control products.
Replaces trees through purchase and contract growing with local tree farmers.
Increasing inventory of electric hand mowers.
Diesel grounds equipment uses biodiesel produced from waste vegetable oil generated from dining services, part of a student project designed to reuse the 22,000 pounds of waste vegetable oil produced annually at the college.
Recharge electric mower batteries with a photovoltaic panel.
Maintenance rinses (grass clippings) from grounds equipment is captured and collected by a waste hauler for disposal.
None
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
Storm water drainage for all new buildings are handled by filtration systems including underground retention and rain gardens.
All new parking lots are construction with porous pavement to minimize runoff.
The creek at the east end of campus is maintained in a natural state with woodlands surrounding out. Property in the area of the creek does not drain directly into the creek.
Uses water management software and monitoring systems for irrigation and employs a full time irrigation technician.
Worked with the Holland Board of Public Works (HPBW) to install a gray water line for use in our core campus to reduce the filtration level for irrigation.
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A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
The grounds department at Hope uses brooms and shovels, and plows walkways more often during snowfall to reduce salt usage.
Plow vehicles use effective snow plow blades and snow brushes to reduce salt use on sidewalks.
We also use a calibrated drop salt spreader that has reduced our salt usage by about 20%.
None
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
The Hope College Nature Preserve is a beautiful, 55-acre Beech-Maple forest located within the Western Michigan dune ecosystem. It is home to over 40 species of plants, 14 species of mammals, 40 species of birds and hundreds of species of arthropods. The preserve is located approximately five miles from our main campus and 1/4 mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline in Laketown Township, Allegan County. This property adjoins a IBAT IUCN management category V/VI property.
A description can be found at: http://www.hope.edu/academics/biology/facilities-classrooms/ under the "Nature Preserve" section
None
Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No
None
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:
Hope is a member of Arbor day foundation and we have been exploring the requirements for becoming a Tree Campus.
Hope received statewide recognition for its environmental stewardship through its grounds management practices with certification from the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program in 2014. For more information visit: http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1599-216431--,00.html and https://www.mtesp.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.