Rowan University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Shante
Walker Institutional Research Analyst Office of Institutional Research & Analytics |
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 | 0 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 230 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 207 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 437 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
Campus Size (number of acres) of 991.
• Main Campus (Glassboro) – 235
• West Campus – 571
• Fossil Park – 65
• Stratford – 41
• CMSRU – 17
• Other Misc. Parcels (non-academic) – 62
Organic program
If reporting an organic program, provide:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
Main Campus is managed by selection of disease resistant replacement plantings with minimal, targeted spraying/fertilization.
Optional Fields
The Rowan University Arboretum explores the wonders of our environment by leveraging our campus trees as a resource for education, research, and University outreach. We also aspire to honor the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape people and their history.
Our mission is to curate an accessible living laboratory for students and visitors to explore the interconnectedness of plants, animals, people, and the environment to inspire new learning, research, and creative ideas. This mission stems from our belief that the best way to create meaningful change is through developing curiosity and empathy for our environment and each other.
The arboretum team seeks to inspire visitors of all ages to explore their local community, learn about its history and biological diversity, and discover connections that generate new, creative research paths. We hope to inspire course collaborations, new campus events, and an increased public awareness of Rowan University’s environmental stewardship. In addition, we encourage guests to learn about trees and explore questions about the history and lives of the Lenni-Lenape people, whose traditional land includes our campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
As Facilities strives to meet the University’s growth expectations regarding the main campus and its open spaces, each new individual building, renovation, and landscape also features implemented and planned sustainability initiatives. Rowan has developed high-efficiency buildings and high-performing landscapes that serve important ecological functions as well as offset our carbon footprint.
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:
Details pulled from Rowan Universtiy's Stormwater Management & Landscape Master Plan
GENERAL LANDSCAPE GUIDANCE–DESIGN GUIDELINES
§ Create a detailed inventory of significant vegetation on campus based on size, age, quality, diversity, uniqueness and location.
§ Establish project review procedures, land use review procedures and resource maintenance programs to ensure the trees’ long-term preservation.
§ Employ arborists on a regular basis to monitor the health of the trees (especially in the Oak Grove, the woodland near the new student housing, and the woodland patch behind Rowan Hall) in order to prioritize any major decision regarding tree health and safety issues.
§ Establish an adaptive management plan for the forest and riparian zones.
§ Adhere to an approved campus plant list. Maximize use of native plants adapted to site conditions, and micro-climates throughout campus. The design intent is to support biodiversity, reduce pesticide use, increase wildlife habitat [depending on space and programming use] and maximize water conservation. There may be opportunities at campus gateways or other key locations for non-native ornamentals, which are included on the approved plant list. When utilizing non-natives ensure they complement the native palette, are not invasive, and are nursery grown, legally harvested, or salvaged for reuse from on- or off site.
§ Utilize plants, which attract butterflies, birds and other beneficial wildlife. The design intent is to support biodiversity, reduce pesticide use, increase wildlife habitat [depending on space and programming use] and maximize water conservation. The use of species that are currently listed on any of the following lists as invasive is expressly prohibited: State Noxious Weeds laws, Federal Noxious Weeds laws, or regional invasive lists. (Sources: New Jersey Invasive Species Council, New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection, http://www.state. nj.us/cgi-bin/governor/njnewsline/view_article_archives.pl?id=1786, New Jersey Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, <http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/>)
§ Create naturalized meadow areas where mowed turf will be reduced.
§ All soil disturbances will be mitigated with appropriate amendments, restoring soils’ ability to support healthy plants based on soil testing and unique planting needs in different spaces, as well as the soils’ ability to support biological communities, and provide water storage and infiltration as described in the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) for Prerequisite 7.2 and Credit 4.4. (SITES guidelines and benchmarks are still in draft form.) See SITES website for more information: <http://www.sustainablesites.org/report/>.
§ Soils associated with planting areas of stormwater systems shall meet approved specifications for the identified practice per NJDEP requirements or, if absent, the criteria referenced above.
§ Create a landscape and maintenance management plan with each new development project that addresses landscape areas and stormwater facilities. As part of the plan identify and delineate low maintenance design and planting areas.
§ Mow any specified native grassland or meadow areas once a year, twice a year maximum.
§ Fertilize as needed rather than routinely. When needed, use a slow-release organic fertilizer in lieu of petroleum based fertilizers, a fertilizer with a high percentage of slow-release nitrogen. Suitable products that are commercially available are marketed and certified as ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ fertilizers. Organic materials include, but are not limited to, items such as sea grasses/kelp, rock powder, bone meal, whey, bean meal, blood meal, composted manure, etc. Product nutrient content should be identified in the standard form of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) ratios.
§ Mulch helps plants retain moisture in the root zone while reducing soil and water run-off. It also inhibits weeds and minimizes compaction as a result of foot traffic. Mulch should be maintained at a depth of 2 to 3 inches to retain moisture and inhibit weeds and 3 to 4 inches to minimize compaction from foot traffic. The mulch should be made from recycled hardwood or another recommended sustainable material.
§ Plan for and implement maintenance activities designed to reduce the exposure of pollutants to stormwater: minimize exposure to rainfall of stored materials that could contribute pollutants; develop and implementing a spill response plan; avoiding non-stormwater discharges (e.g., wash water); minimize the use of salt for deicing; avoid routine maintenance of construction equipment on site to reduce pollutant loadings of oils, grease, hydraulic fluids, etc.; avoid fueling of vehicles on site to the maximum extent practicable.
§ For BMPs, make sure new plantings are cared for during establishment period with necessary watering and weeding. Aerate lawns and top-dress with compost. Confirm water soaks in per design specifications. Confirm overflow piping is not clogged. Remove litter and weeds from bioretention features. Mulch planting beds. Develop a management plan that leaves organic matter in place (leaf litter in particular) or adds organic matter on an annual basis to ensure enduring organic matter.
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.