Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 63.61
Liaison Greg Kozak
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Northwestern University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 2.00 Travis Hawks
Temp
sustainNU
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 265 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 143.50 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 0 Acres

Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 0 Acres
Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined 121.50 Acres
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 0 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :

Northwestern follows IPM practices for our entire campus, although we do not have a written plan for IPM implementation. We use chemicals as the last resort in dealing with pests and weeds. We monitor our grounds for pests and invasions and stress proper identification, making sure the tactics being pursued match the problem, and that no unnecessary pesticides are used. As part of ongoing pest management, we practice prevention methods that ensure pests don’t become a threat. In the event that action is necessary to combat a pest, we choose effective, safe methods to find a solution. Some methods include cultivating more grass to crowd out invasive plants, handpicking weeds, introducing predators like nematodes, or pruning dead wood to prevent insect invasion.


A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:

Northwestern is committed to managing our campus landscape in sustainable and low-impact ways. We use rain gauges and “Smart” controllers for irrigation to avoid over-watering. We plant adaptive, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant plants to reduce the need for fertilizer and irrigation. We’re also experimenting with “no mow” grass at one location on campus, which only requires mowing once per year and reduces fuel use from more frequent mowing.


A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:

Northwestern prioritizes using plants that are adaptable to our campus climate wherever possible. We also strive to protect old growth native trees, like the Oak Grove that covers south and central campus. During construction, we salvage trees and plants in and around the construction site by relocating them to other areas across campus. Northwestern’s ground crew manages invasive species by hand weeding.


A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:

Lack of space prevents us from composting yard waste on site, however, we do send our yard waste and clippings to a local composting site to be turned into mulch.


A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:

Because of our advantageous location in the Midwest and right along Lake Michigan, Northwestern’s campus has naturally ideal soil. Our Facilities Management team strongly prefers preserving and utilizing this native soil wherever possible. About 70 percent of our campus is made up of organic, native soil. When the use of native soil is not possible, we purchase soil that is free of chemicals and toxins and meets regulations.


A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:

The local climate prevents Northwestern from using locally-sourced landscape materials all the time, but we do get about half of our landscape materials and plants from local providers. Our annuals, perennials and some trees come from local nurseries. Unless a tree is diseased when it has to be removed it is turned into mulch that is then reused across campus.


A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:

Because our campus is right alongside Lake Michigan, maintaining the integrity of the shoreline is a high priority. Regulations by Northwestern and the City of Evanston prevent development and construction at certain points along the lake. When construction interferes with the lakeside, the coastline is repaired afterward. We also plant native species along the shoreline to prevent erosion by holding the soil together. We manage water across campus through the use of daisy basins, cisterns, and retention areas. Gray water has also been used in irrigation efforts around the newly constructed music building on south campus. Irrigation by potable drinking water is avoided where possible.


A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):

Northwestern’s number one priority for snow and ice is to ensure the safety of community members on roadways and walkways. When managing for snow and ice, a liquid brine solution is sprayed on roads and walks to pretreat the surface and utilize salt that includes beet juice as an additive, or a brine solution, as much as possible to reduce the amount of salt used. Sand is also sometimes used as a substitute for salt to avoid ice.


A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:

The Shakespeare Garden at Northwestern is a small section of North campus certified on the National Historical Register. As part of this register, the property is “considered for protection from destruction or impairment,” but Northwestern is not strictly prohibited from developing or otherwise using this land.


Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
Yes

The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
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.