| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.14 |
| Liaison | Kristina Hope |
| Submission Date | Feb. 2, 2024 |
Knox College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.99 / 2.00 |
Kristina
Hope Director of Sustainability Initiatives Office of Sustainability |
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 | 723 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 7 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 731 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Land not included contains buildings.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The Knox farm is managed using a sustainable landscape management program as part of regenerative growing techniques that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials.
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:
The 23 acres of grounds use chemical control as the last resort. We have visual thresholds and monitor fungal and insect pest damage. We try to maintain healthy plants with limited excess nutrient availability. Only in situations where weather or density will not control an issue do we use chemical control to prevent loss of turf.
The 700 acres of the Green Oaks Biological field station includes a restored prairie that is burned annually, as well as old-growth and new-growth forests that are managed for biodiversity. The director assess the site. In places where there is encroachment by woody invasives - primarily autumn olive, amur and other non-native honeysuckles, Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, and black locust - the small trees and shrubs are cut down and herbicide is applied to the cut stump.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
We have three rain gardens on campus to help with rain water run off and slow the movement water, spread it, and sink it. This helps with erosion at these sites and works well with the plants chosen for these different growing spaces.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Grass clippings and mulched leaves are left on all lawns.
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:
Grounds uses a calcium chloride-based product to melt icy sidewalks but uses sand for light freezing rain.
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.