| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.34 |
| Liaison | Samuel Crowl |
| Submission Date | March 11, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Ohio University
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.36 / 2.00 |
Vince
Weatherstein Director of Energy Management Facilities Management & Safety |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 1,673.70 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 69.40 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 482.50 Acres |
None
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 | 0 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 200 Acres |
None
A copy of the IPM plan:
---
None
The IPM plan :
---
None
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
The Land Laboratory on The Ridges is a protected nature and research reserve. The property is managed to minimize anthropogenic disturbance and to faciltate the use of the academic activities and research projects.
Other areas of campus are managed considering sustainability (see below), but Ohio University does not have an official sustainable landscape management program.
None
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
Campus grounds plants both native and adaptive, drought tolerant, low maintenance plants throughout campus. Particular emphasis is placed on preservation of canopy cover to mitigate heat island effect, provide carbon sequestration, and to clean and absorb storm water. In locations where exclusive native plantings occur, signage is offered to educate passersby. Invasive species are controlled by hand removal, mechanical removal and follow-up chemical treatment if necessary with attention to species flowering cycles and timing of seed production.
None
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
All landscape waste (from Athens campus) is sent to Ohio University's Class IV compost facility located on Dairy Lane on the Athens campus. This is an open air system. A portion of the landscape waste is turned into wood chips and sent for use as a bulking agent in the Class II, in-vessel system. Wood chips from campus tree maintenance are also used on campus pedestrian paths and in secondary landscape beds. Purchased mulch is a ground hardwood bark harvested from temperate zone trees. Plants are routinely transplanted to new locations when displaced by building renovations or new construction.
None
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
520 cubic yards of Class IV compost and 422 cubic yards of Class II compost was spread on Ohio University lawns and used in landscape plantings and herbaceous beds. This reduced the need for chemical fertilizers by increasing fertility, promoting good soil drainage and enhancing organic matter content in lawns and planting beds benefiting plant health.
None
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
Grounds purchases Moisture Manager (a proprietary blend of patented material which is combined with a naturally derived soil surfactant) which is used in turf and bed areas to minimize drought stress. This strategy allows for efficient plant nutrient uptake, improved seed germination and transplant survival with overall reduction of water usage. Organic and nonorganic fertilizers are both used on campus.
None
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
A stream restoration project initiated by the City of Athens on a stream flowing through university property utilized university personnel to design stream reconstruction, recreating the natural structure and outlining plant specs/ planting procedures. Project involved invasive species removal and replanting of natives. University has committed to monitor and remove adjacent invasive plant populations.
None
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
New salt spreaders were purchased by Grounds Dept enabling more control over quantity of salt applied to sidewalks compared to spreaders that were previously used. Product called Puremelt (a proprietary formula) is used on all concrete surfaces under 2 years old to minimize salt damage to concrete.
None
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
The Ridges Landlab is a topographically and biologically diverse nature preserve and scientific research area for instruction and research in field biology, environmental geography, and ecosystem ecology. Currently, a tall-grass prairie restoration project is underway around Radar Hill to increase biodiversity of rare species once native to this area. Classes from the Departments of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Plant Biology, and Geography may use the landlab as long as they are engaged in observational (as opposed to manipulative) class exercises. Classes of over 16 students must remain on the roads and paths at all times.
None
Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No
None
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:
The Ridges Land Laboratory is the only protected land included in the "Area of managed land" section above, and the acreage listed is an estimate.
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.