| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 28.57 |
| Liaison | Troy Hattermann |
| Submission Date | Nov. 24, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Illinois Central College
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.24 / 2.00 |
Tom
Braun Facilities Services Supervisor Facilities Services |
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 491 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 15.00 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 165 Acres |
Area of managed grounds that is::
| Area | |
| Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan | 161 Acres |
| Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined | 149 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 0 Acres |
A copy of the IPM plan:
The IPM plan :
"Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. Illinois Central College IPM program uses current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Our IPM system is designed around six basic components:
1. Acceptable pest levels: The emphasis is on control, not eradication
2. Preventive cultural practices: Selecting varieties best for local growing conditions, and maintaining healthy plants, is the first line of defense
3. Monitoring: Regular observation is the cornerstone of IPM to ensure catching the problem at an early stage
4. Mechanical controls: Should a pest reach an unacceptable level, mechanical methods are the first options to consider. They include simple hand-picking, erecting insect barriers and using traps. A few examples of this would be:
a. Controlling bagworm on campus by picking the bags from the junipers before the worms emerge to eat.
b. Removing sections of the branches in crab apple trees that tent caterpillars have formed nests
c. Using pheromone traps to help remove the Japanese Beetle population around our linden trees on campus
d. Pulling weeds out of landscape beds by hand and taking them to our compost pile
5. Biological controls: Natural biological processes and materials can provide control, with minimal environmental impact, and often at low cost. The main focus here is on promoting beneficial insects that eat target pests. An example would be our Martin houses that have been installed around our pond, which has a heavy mosquito population
6. Responsible Pesticide Use: Synthetic pesticides are generally only used as required and often only at specific times in a pests life cycle"
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
The department strives to implement sustainable plans and operations in the college’s 491 acres. For example, Christmas trees are recycled for mulch, plant clippings are used for compost and native grasses and perennials are planted in order to keep watering to a minimum.
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
ICC installs as many native plants into our groomed landscape areas as possible. We strive to purchase our plant material from local nurseries to ensure that they will survive in our designated zone. The types of native plants that we install into different areas depend on a few different criteria such as size, aesthetics and what kind of debris the plant might generate.
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
ICC has a compost pile located at our East Peoria campus and a compost collection point at our North location. Compostable material is taken from the collection point once per year and added to other compostable material that has been collected from our East Peoria location. We use hot composting on a quarterly basis to turn our compostable material into 5 to 10 tons of useable compost per year. Hot composting is the process of moving compostable material into a bin and adding a small amount of old compost that acts as an inoculate to begin the heating process that kills undesirable weed seeds. The types of materials that are collected include weeds, leaves, perennial plant clippings, ornamental grass clippings and small amounts of grass clippings. Once the compostable material has been turned into compost it is used in our landscape beds, flower pots and when establishing new turf areas.
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
N/A
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
The Grounds Department looks to purchase environmental friendly options when it proves to be a cost effective superior material than other products.
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
We have installed permeable pavement in two different parking areas on campus that help reduce and disperse the amount of rain water that would normally enter our storm sewers. We also install and maintain a pond aerator to help keep our retainage pond free from algae helps to provide oxygen to the fish in the pond.
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
ICC is always looking for more sustainable products to aid in the removal of salt and ice in the winter months. Products that we have tested include liquid magnesium chloride, liquid beet juice, granular magnesium chloride, granular magnesium/ potassium blend and a granular potassium. We have blended filter sand with our road salt to cut down on the total amount of road salt applied over the course of a winter season which helps decrease the possibility of salt run off or damage to turf. We have constructed a salt bin that keeps our small supply of road salt covered to also ensure we are getting the most out of the product and also prevents runoff into turf areas.
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
N/A
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:
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.