| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.82 |
| Liaison | Joanne Wong |
| Submission Date | Feb. 10, 2021 |
Mills College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.40 / 2.00 |
Karen
Fiene Campus Architect Facilities and Planning |
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 | 42.67 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 64.50 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 107.17 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Excluded land includes building footprints and all hardscape, roads and pathways, Lake Aliso and daylit creeks, heavily forested or extremely steep areas.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Mills Community Farm: We use best practices in growing without use of pesticides, using Integrated Pest Management strategies such as growing native, flowering plants and other flowering perennials to attract beneficial insects, as well as crop rotation and biointensive planting of beds. These methods are combined with organic practices such as recycling garden nutrients through composting, building soil with organic fertilizers, and encouraging biological pest control by growing a diversity of plants. Although we are not certified organic, we align our practices with the regenerative pursuit of building soil fertility and increasing organic matter with every wheelbarrow of compost delivered to newly planted beds.
Wooded areas: Minimally managed, brush and fallen tree clearing as necessary, no pesticides
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:
Plant infestations are investigated on a case-by-case basis and treated with escalating levels of control. Most pests are identified by skilled staff.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The College strives to plant native, low water or drought tolerant species in all new planting areas. We have relationships with local nurseries that specialize in native species from our county. We have created a healing plants tour and provide educational signage at two creek restoration sites.
Grounds selects plants from botanical gardens and local nurseries who specialize in native plants. In 2012, Mills College created a native plant palette for use by the Grounds Department.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Leona Creek flows through campus, remains daylit until it leaves campus, and eventually flows to the Bay. Mills College has been restoring the creek to control damaging water flows that threaten bridge stability and creek beds. Mills College hosts Creek Care Days to foster stewardship and restore the native habitat at two main restoration sites along the creek. These two restoration sites were selected to accompany hydrological support for the creek alongside two bridges.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
All tree trimmings are mulched and used in landscaping and restoration on campus. Green material waste is kept in an open area where it can decompose and is reduced in volume. Annual fire clearance is required by City of Oakland, this includes tree thinning, cutting underbrush, pulling landscape back from buildings.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Newly designed landscapes utilize LED lighting to minimize energy use.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Leona Creek flows through campus, remains daylit until it leaves campus, and eventually flows to the Bay. Mills College has been restoring the creek to control damaging water flows that threaten bridge stability and creek beds. Mills College hosts Creek Care Days to foster stewardship and restore the native habitat at two main restoration sites along the creek. Annual fire clearance is required by City of Oakland, this includes tree thinning, cutting underbrush, pulling landscape back from buildings.
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.