| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.20 |
| Liaison | Jessica Thompson |
| Submission Date | June 20, 2024 |
Northern Michigan University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.96 / 2.00 |
Brandon
Sager Sustainability Coordinator Facilities |
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 | 98.10 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 105.72 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 203.82 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
Total campus acreage is 357 which includes all impervious surfaces (buildings, parking, roads, sidewalks, etc.). Impervious surface equates to 152 acres. Impervious surfaces were excluded from the calculation.
Organic program
If reporting an organic program, provide:
In 2023 NMU hired the Smith Consulting group to help re-write the current landscape master plan. The process for updating the plan included a comprehensive tree inventory of campus and dozens of stakeholder engagement charrettes and open house sessions. The updated plan is expected to be completed by December 2024.
In 2006 NMU adopted a “Landscape Master Plan” with the goal providing a framework for re-defining the campus landscape consistent with the area/region and identify a plant material matrix to be used on all projects. Plant matrix includes plant species that are either native or adaptable to the area which helps to create a healthy, vibrant and visually appealing campus. Northern maintains 95 acres accordance with an organic land care standard. This is the area that is maintained to a level 4 or 5 as defined by APPA (APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities). It is area that receives less frequent or no mowing, is wooded or part of NMU’s “No-Mow” program. These areas have no irrigation, receive no fertilizer or herbicide. APPA – Maintenance Standards Level 4 - (Low frequency mowing, no fertilization, no irrigation, litter pick-up every 5 days, planting areas - none.) Level 5 - (Low frequency mowing, no fertilization, no irrigation, litter pick-on demand, planting areas - none.) Area Managed using conventional methods – 109 Acres Service Level Square Feet Acres Planters 86,898 2 Level 1 45,119 1 Level 2 1,310,918 30 Level 3 3,136,653 76 109 Acres Level 4 1,709,740 39 Level 5 2,861,303 56 95 Acres Grand Total 9,150,632 204 Service Level Square Feet Acres Planters 86,898 2 Level 1 45,119 1 Level 2 1,310,918 30 Level 3 3,136,653 76 109 Acres Level 4 1,709,740 39 Level 5 2,861,303 56 95 Acres Grand Total 9,150,632 204
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
Optional Fields
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Institution uses green infrastructure to manage rainwater and employees LID practices on a case-by-case basis or for demonstration projects.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
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:
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.