| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.91 |
| Liaison | Daryl Pierson |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Portland State University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Amanda
Wolf Program + Assessment Coordinator Campus Sustainability Office |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
20.23
Hectares
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
| Area (double-counting is not allowed) | |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses a four-tiered approach | 20.23 Hectares |
| Area managed in accordance with an organic land care standard or sustainable landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials | 0 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 0 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 20.23 Hectares |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
100
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
Portland State University Outdoor Pest Management Program strives
to minimize the use of pesticides while ensuring balanced protection
of human, horticultural and environmental health. To accomplish
this, the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are utilized
on campus grounds.
This PSU Integrated Pest Management Plan for the Outdoor Environment applies to all pest control activities and pesticide use on university grounds and landscaping. Recipients of this plan include faculty, staff, and employees including landscape contractors who monitor and/or treat
pest problems.
IPM Plan Goals include:
Consideration of the relationship between pest biology and pest management methods.
Consideration of alternative physical, mechanical, or biological control pest management methods before chemical pesticides are used.
Improved methods for pest controls, in consideration of the impact on human health and the environment.
Continued evaluation of the integrated pest management program.
Continued training and education.
Organic Program
0
If reporting an organic program, provide:
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Optional Fields
Landscape Services seeks to incorporate Pacific Northwest native plant material in future construction and renovation projects, as well as existing plant beds.
PSU also developed a Tree Care plan that outlines how can protect and preserve our urban forest overtime.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Portland state employs diverse stormwater management strategies on campus ranging from bioswales, stormwater planters, and eco roofs. Additionally there are rainwater cisterns on campus that collect water and distribute for toilet flushing. Finally, PSU strives to minimize irrigation through drought-tolerant and native plant use.
Water Conservation Plan:
-Establish a quantitative irrigation reduction goal
-No net increase in irrigated acreage
-Priority zoning of irrigation in drought conditions
-Increase use of native plants with low water requirements
-Continued modernization of central irrigation system to cover over 50% of
PSU’s irrigation needs: three additional irrigation controllers and several
flow sensors will be installed
-Improve soil quality as needed in irrigated areas to improve water
absorption and reduce reliance on irrigation
-Planning for water efficiency in new landscaped spaces: carefully consider
characteristics like sun exposure, shade, slopes, and soil types when
choosing plants for new spaces.
-Mulch landscaped areas to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, slow
evaporation, and protect roots.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Waste from grounds keeping are transported to a regional transfer station by our waste hauler for composting.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Ecoroofs on Cramer Hall, ASRC, Broadway Residence Hall, Native American Student & Community Center, and the Karl Miller Center help cool in summer and warm in winter.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution (e.g. use of environmentally preferable landscaping materials, initiatives to reduce the impacts of ice and snow removal, wildfire prevention):
PSU uses:
*Meltoff Ice Melter, CP Industries, whose website says: "Less damaging to concrete and metal and safe, nontoxic to humans, animals and vegetation (when used as directed)"
*SnoPlow Snow and Ice Melter, Morgro Inc. The label says it contains no dangerous chemicals. Website claims "It is less toxic than baking soda. SNO-PLOW™ contains no dangerous chemicals. It can be handled safely with bare hands. 100% non-toxic to children and pets. USDA approved.... SNO-PLOW™ will not harm trees, shrubs, lawns or other vegetation when used as directed.
*Ice Clear, Monterey manufactured for Lawn and Garden Products Inc. http://www.planetnatural.com/site/ice-clear.html states: "Stops ice before it starts! Ice Clear is formulated from environmentally friendly materials and based on technology originally developed for airport deicing applications. The research behind this advanced technology received R&D Magazine's prestigious R&D 100 award as one of the top 100 new technologies in 2001. A special blend of renewable resources derived from agricultural products, IceClear contains no toxic materials or corrosive salts (chlorides), making it the ideal de-icer for safe and effective homeowner use.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Water Efficiency Plan: https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/PSU%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf
IPM: https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/PSU%202012%20IPM%20Plan.pdf
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.