| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 34.71 |
| Liaison | Kristina Bryan |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Saint Louis University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.21 / 2.00 |
Jeff
Macko Director Grounds |
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
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 | 55 Acres |
| 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 | 1.54 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 218.46 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 275 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds (e.g. the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces, experimental agricultural land, areas that are not regularly managed or maintained):
Footprint of buildings, impervious surfaces, inclusion of parking garage decks
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:
The IPM plan will utilize all methods of pest control, which may include modifying cultural practices, monitoring for pest populations, mechanical and biological control, and the judicious use of pesticides.
The IPM plan is intended to cover all developed turf, landscaping, and ornamental areas of the St. Louis physical campus. This plan excludes all vacant properties, teaching gardens/orchards, and sports field turf areas.
IPM Plan Attached and may also be found here:
http://www.slu.edu/facilities-services-home/sustainability/campus-operations/buildings-and-grounds##2
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
A brief description of the organic land standard or landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials:
The Teaching Garden and Orchard on the University's South Campus is maintained as an organic garden and orchard. The Garden Plot Agreement document clearly states that SLU Community Members acknowledge that "As this is an organic farm under USDA standards, I will use organic gardening methods only and understand that the planting of organic seed and seedlings is highly encouraged. I will not apply synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers on my plot. If I am unsure about a certain product’s classification as organic or non-organic, I will consult the SLU Garden staff."
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Saint Louis University has a social obligation to preserve and conserve our valuable natural landscape resources. We believe a beautiful campus environment assists in the overall experience for our students, faculty, and staff. This keen awareness of our impact on the campus community helps define our sustainability practices. Consequently, the Grounds Department emphasizes native plant installation on all new projects. This practice was implemented on July 1, 2010. The target goal for native plant material on each new project is 50%.
Perennial flower beds on campus feature a variety of native plants that include: Purple Coneflower, Carex, Heliopsis, Blazing Star, Bee Balm, Turtlehead and Rudbeckia. Other types of native plants used on campus include: Blue Wild Indigo, Aster, Coreopsis, Purple Coneflower, Rattlesnake Master, Wild Bergamot, Yellow Gray Coneflower, Goldenrod and Golden Alexander.
In accordance with the IPM plan, visual monthly inspections for Chinch bug, sod webworm, billbug and/or other destructive turf pests will be conducted. Application of insecticides to turf areas will be limited in an effort to preserve populations of beneficial insects and nematodes. Widespread application of broadleaf herbicides will not be performed unless weed species have invaded greater than 10% of the entire turf area. Spot application may be done on small areas on a needed basis. Pesticides for turf disease will only be performed if evidence of disease has been found and significant areas (10-15% of the total turf area) of permanent damage are found. To preserve beneficial & predatory insects, pesticides will be applied only on an as needed basis, meaning more than 10% damage or defoliation to ornamental plants. Priority will be given to those pesticides having the lowest toxicity and whenever possible, biological pest control – predatory insects, beneficial nematodes, and microbial pesticides - will be used. Insect and disease resistant plant varieties will be selected for planting in any flowerbed and/or formal landscaping areas.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
n/a
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Beginning on July 1, 2010, the Saint Louis University Grounds Department implemented a composting and mulching practice which includes all landscaping waste including but not limited to grass, leaves, and other landscape related debris.
Difficult to compost items, such as tree stumps, are transported by Waste Management to the Milam landfill. There the yard waste is put through a composting process that allows them to use it as an additive to the soil cover. It helps prevent erosion and is great for growing grass in sandy soils at the site. In FY17, 27.72 tons of yard waste was hauled away for composting.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
As part of the construction of SLU’s Doisy Research Center in 2008, approximately 7,200 square feet of vegetative roof was installed on the 212,000 square foot building. The roof is an extensive system (4”) and is planted with five (5) varieties of sedum. These varieties were chosen based on their survival capacity and adaptability to a vegetative roof environment in the Midwest (Missouri) climate. This installation helps reduce the effects of heat islands.
Open for residence in Fall 2016, Spring Hall contains many energy-efficient measures. In particular, stormwater is detained and diverted from the sewer system and filtered for water quality.
For all new flat roofs on campus, the University uses white roofing materials. Experiments are being conducted to evaluate what materials are the best for the application and cost-effectiveness.
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):
Saint Louis University recognizes the impact of snow and ice removal on the grounds and therefore follows a detailed policy for snow and ice removal operations. This policy includes designated areas for snow storage to minimize salt runoff, information on acceptable de-icing materials to be used on campus and detailed breakdown of snow removal routes that minimize fuel consumption. Additionally, calcium applications are applied in early winter and late spring along all turf and landscape areas to help remove salt from the soil profile.
Visit http://www.slu.edu/facilities-services-home/sustainability/campus-operations/buildings-and-grounds##2 to review the Operation Snowfall process.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.