| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.89 |
| Liaison | Isabel Savransky |
| Submission Date | Nov. 14, 2023 |
Ontario Tech University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Isabel
Savransky Sustainability & Asset Planner Office of Campus Infrastructure and 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 | 70.90 Hectares |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 0 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 70.90 Hectares |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Ontario Tech only uses organic fertilizers in community gardens (on the campus farmland), no herbicides or pesticides are used.
Ontario Tech recently started using the Steam and Weed system, which is a chemical free, environmentally friendly weed control equipment (more information can be found at https://www.steamnweeds.com/).
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Ontario Tech is in the process of creating this official program/plan; as we currently follow best practices (we have eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides on our farmland).
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:
We are in the process of creating an official IPM program; as we currently follow sustainable best practices for landscape management
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
We participated in the Durham Region 5 Million Tree Program with Forests Ontario (as part of Ontario's 50 Million Tree Program) and planted over 8000 tree seedlings in 2018 and plans to continue planting yearly in our tree nursery and around campus. Also participated in program 2019-2021.
Landscaping drawings include Native Plants in campus RFPs. Milkweed and purple coneflowers planted on our North Campus along with our 3 hectares of hydroseeded native wildflower gardens to help with pollinator populations. We Grow Trees tree planting challenge where staff grow, maintain and plant native trees on campus that are planted in our tree nursery of approximately 500 trees.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
We adhere to Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) policies and guidelines to protecting/restoring riparian, wetland, and shoreline habitats.
Storm water and grey water collection: https://sites.ontariotechu.ca/gogreen/initiatives/on-campus/water.php
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
The Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability composts all food waste, gardening waste and grass cuttings on site. Fallen trees and wood is used in Indigenous ceremonies (and wood is also mulched on site).
We have piloted a composting program in 2018/2019; and we continue to look at methods to reintroduce this program
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
The university plants vegetation near buildings instead of increasing hardscape (using as much native species as possible) and providing shade to buildings.
Vegetated Roofs
Four buildings are constructed with extensive “green roofs” to total 1600 square meters. The use of grass and soil on rooftops to aid drainage, retain heat and improve air quality. Roof runoff water is collected in an underground cistern with a capacity of 250,000L. This water is then used for irrigation and flushing within the buildings surrounding the quad; reducing the fresh water consumption of treated water from municipal sources.
Three thermal energy recovery wheels are part of the university's ventilation system; renewable energy projects are considered on rooftops of new and existing buildings (currently have over 180kilowatts of solar on campus as of May 2019).
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
There are storm water management ponds on campus that reduce sediment load to the nearby creek. We also follow sustainable landscape management
Snow removal: use of Jet blue instead of Green Earth salt (extremely difficult to have supplied). OGS Property services also conducts brine spraying- anti icing/ pre-precipitation practice that is completed before snow removal; they are a 'Smart About Salt' accredited company, and are part of the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA), snow professional in Canada to learn best practices and have well educated employees.
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.