| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.76 |
| Liaison | James Speer |
| Submission Date | Feb. 26, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Indiana State University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Stephanie
Krull Grounds Manager Facilities Management |
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
| Area (double-counting is not allowed) | |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses a four-tiered approach | 146.33 Hectares |
| Area managed in accordance with an organic land care standard or sustainable landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials | --- |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | --- |
| Total area of managed grounds | 146.33 Hectares |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds (e.g. the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces, experimental agricultural land, areas that are not regularly managed or maintained):
47.90 acres are undeveloped land that do not need to be managed. The rest of the land are the buildings.
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:
Wherever possible, the preferred method is to use biological controls or natural substances for controlling pests, plant diseases, and weeds on campus, when natural diversity planning has failed. This allows us to limit the type and quantity of chemical and other less desirable controls.
If the use of chemicals is unavoidable, we use less potent chemicals whenever possible. Chemicals are applied according to safety regulations and guidelines. Application usually occurs during the early morning hours or on weekends to limit interaction within the campus community.
Facilities has developed five maintenance levels for campus that are based on public appearance and natural priorities for each area. The central grassy quad of campus is maintained in a more manicured state while other green spaces around campus are maintained using less intensive techniques that allow for more natural mulching, less watering, and greater natural biological control. We have 278 acres of remote landholdings that are used for research and recreation training. These properties have a higher action threshold for insect and disease that results in less interaction, but all properties are controlled for invasive species.
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
A brief description of the organic land standard or landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials:
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
For ten years we have been incorporating native species whenever possible in new plantings. Our tree farms are 70% native tree species which will be used to plant new trees on campus. We have an Ash tree replacement farm that is completely native. We are adding shrub beds that are native shrubs that provide feed for wildlife. We are currently replacing many drought killed Yew bushes with bayberry, chokeberry, and viburnum varieties.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
About 60% of the campus is irrigated. Scheduling and application of irrigation water is controlled by a TUCOR software program. This takes into account the average rainfall and temperatures which historically occur during the growing season (April to October). Water is conserved wherever possible.
Our campus irrigation water supply is drawn from ground water throughout the campus through a system of eight(8) wells, and replenished on campus through a system of dry wells, drainage swales and retention areas. Thereby reducing the need for use of the public treated water system.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
We have mulch mowed for 30 years so that the grass clippings get reintroduced into the soil. We chip 90% of our wood waste to be used as path material at the community garden. Our leaves are collected and used in the compost at the ISU community garden.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
We completed the Indiana Wildlife Federation certification program and were rated at the Gold level. https://www.indianawildlife.org/indianastatecertification
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution (e.g. use of environmentally preferable landscaping materials, initiatives to reduce the impacts of ice and snow removal, wildfire prevention):
Our snow and ice removal policies eliminate CaCl3, reduce the use of rock salt, increase the use of Magnesium and ice-melt blend products. We have also purchased more precise spreading equipment to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.