| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.21 |
| Liaison | Ann Drevno |
| Submission Date | Feb. 26, 2020 |
Saint Mary's College of California
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.97 / 2.00 |
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 | 160 Hectares |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 5 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 407.72 Hectares |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
We have included all land on our campus except impervious surfaces because even the dozens of acres of grassy hillside are managed - every summer we hire an eco-friendly goat grazing business to clear weeds and clear out fire-prone underbrush.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The vast majority of our 420 acre campus is managed with organic landscape management practices. The only exceptions are a few sports fields and lawn spaces (about 5 hectares). Our Grounds Team manages the remaining campus land without the use inorganic fertilizer, chemical pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.
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:
All land on our campus is managed with integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Our Grounds Team carefully considers all available pest control techniques when deciding how to effectively manage pest populations while minimizing risks to human health, non-target organisms and the environment. Saint Mary's uses a varieties of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices and the use of pest and disease resistant plants. Our Grounds Manager constantly monitors our fields, landscapes and grasslands to identify pest presence so that our Grounds Team can employ the best, most ecologically-sound management practice for the given pest problem. Additionally, SMC just installed several owl boxes across campus for IPM purposes.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
In additon to the use or organic and integrated pest management techniques, Saint Mary's Grounds Team installs drought-tolerant and native landscaping whenever possible. One example of a drought-tolerant installation on campus can be found here: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-mary%E2%80%99s-new-california-native-plant-garden-a-multi-purpose-eden
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Saint Mary’s College has installed several rainwater filtering systems; each consists of the following:
• a storm drain system which collects runoff from impervious areas and conveys it to
• a vegetated bioretention filter; and
• an outlet structure which connects the bioretention filter to the outlet pipe leading to the storm drain system.
Additionally, a central irrigation system was recently installed (November 2018). The system includes efficient irrigation application technologies, such as drip irrigation, as well as incorporates data from two different on-campus weather stations to tailor irrigation schedules to plant water needs.
Finally, whenever possible our Grounds Team uses native and drought-tolerant landscaping to minimize the use of water.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
SMC mulches green waste and reuses it onsite to reduce erosion and water consumption.
-tree trimmings
-green waste is composted
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Our Grounds Team has installed the trees and shrubs on several roads and areas throughout campus that could benefit from natural wind breaks. One example is the planting of a row of California redwoods that act as a windbreak for our rugby field.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
As stated previously, Saint Mary's employs IPM practices on all managed land, uses native and drought-tolerant plants, incorporates mulching into landscaping, minimizes water use through water efficient technologies, and uses goats to graze large acres of hilly grassland.
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.