| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.42 |
| Liaison | Kate Witte |
| Submission Date | May 25, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Keene State College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.99 / 2.00 |
Bud
Winsor Asst. Dir. Physical Plant - Grounds Physical Plant |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
76.08
Hectares
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 | 0 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 | 75.88 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 0.20 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 76.08 Hectares |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
0
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
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A brief description of the IPM program:
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Organic Program
99.73
If reporting an organic program, provide:
The campus has proactive planning for grounds maintenance. The fundamental concept is that healthy plants are resilient plants. They use 3" mowing heights wherever possible, creating healthier grass. They use compost tea and mulch produced on campus to feed trees and plantings. Local experts are called in (such as the local county extension agent) to help identify issues and determine treatment plans, if necessary. Chemicals are used only on the cracks in the sidewalks to help with weed control as needed. NO chemicals are used on the actual grounds.
Optional Fields
Whenever possible Grounds uses plants that are indigenous to the region or have shown desirable characteristics for this area. "The right plant for the right place".
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
We leave a 75' Buffer Zone along the Ashuelot River where permissible. We also have created a Buffer Zone around the Brickyard Pond and we do not fertilize in those areas. Top coat applications of our own compost and compost tea significantly reduce water use for irrigation.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
In addition to using 3" mowing heights everywhere on campus (except the athletic fields) which produces healthier grass, the mowing machines are all mulching mowers.
Leaf, garden and tree debris is composted and screened on campus and used as soil amendment or mulch on the campus grounds. The compost also contains pre-plate waste from the Zorn Dining Commons. This has helped eliminate the need for purchased mulch.
Mulch is blended with aged wood chips to mimic forest duff, aiding tree health and growth and lessens our reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
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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):
The KSC Grounds department uses a variety of techniques to reduce the environmental impacts of snow and ice. They use a professional weather service to get up to date and local condition information, ground temperature readings to determine the proper "product" to use and thoughtful and careful management of equipment.
Ice Ban is a trademarked product, derived from brewer's wastes. It is significantly less toxic and less corrosive to plantings than salt. Where we do need to use salt, it is pretreated with the Ice Ban, making it much more effective and requiring significantly smaller amounts. The crew has developed techniques for pre-spraying roads and walkways before storms, since the Ice Ban works well as a pre-treatment, preventing the buildup of ice.
We have eliminated the use of sand, which causes its own problems. Where possible, snow brooms are used to help clear snow, lessening damage to edge plantings.
Each person in the Grounds department has assigned areas of responsibility in each season, including snow storm and storm clean up. This makes the vehicle use as efficient as possible, reducing redundancy and fuel use.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.