Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.47
Liaison Aaron Klemm
Submission Date Aug. 26, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

San Jose State University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 2.00 Debbie Andres
Utilities & Sustainability Analyst
FD&O
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 167 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 41 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 0 Acres

Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 0 Acres
Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined 126 Acres
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 0 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :

IPM is utilised throughout the campus:

1) Least toxic chemicals are always the first choice. If these don't work, then we try the next least toxic option.
2) We only treat insect problems if there is a lot of damage. If there is minimal damage, usually some soapy water spray is how we tackle these infestations.
3) We only spot treat for insects, diseases and weeds, we never do broadcast treatments.


A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:

The Sustainable Landscape Management Program includes:

1) An Integrated Pest Management plan - See above for IPM
2) Plant stewardship - Protecting existing vegetation is done on all construction projects and handled through our Planning Design and Construction Department. This only applies if we are not relandscaping the area.
3) Soil stewardship - We grasscycle throughout the campus to reduce the need for fertilizers. SJSU uses an OMRI certified organic fertilizer for all our plants and turf.
4) Use of environmentally preferable materials - We use locally produced mulch to reduce evaporation from the soil surface, to reduce the need for watering, suppress weeds and build the organic matter in the soil.
5) Hydrology and water use - We have converted over 90% of the campus to recycled water to significantly reduce our dependance on recycled water.
6) Materials management and waste minimization - The grass clippings are all returned to the soil as soon as they are produced. We compost all the green waste produced on campus through Greenwaste, our disposal vendor.


A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:

Since 2008 Facilities Development and Operations has implemented a process whereby only native trees are accepted as donations. Since that time, the majority of all trees planted on campus grounds are native. The exceptions are when the academic mission requests a specific species be planted or when a tree is removed and a similar tree is needed to fill the void, and the iconic arch of the Mulberry Trees. FD&O has also completed a Landscape Master Plan that was finalized in 2014. The plan calls for 6 different planting palettes, each using existing, native and drought resistant species. Plants have also been chosen based on the resilience to the quality of the recycled water that is used to irrigate. Each palette is managed with preventative maintenance and mulch to prevent invasive species and weed.


A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:

All of the tree & bush trimmings and the annual leaf fall are removed by our grounds staff and placed into a 40 yard collection bin. When full, this bin is transported to a green waste facility where it is composted.

The grass areas on both main and south campuses are mowed weekly with a large riding mower. The grass clippings are left on the lawns to decompose and provide nutrients to the turf. This practice is called “grasscycling”, and reduces the loss of nitrogen from the soil, reduces the amount of water required for irrigation by acting as a mulch, saves time by not having to bag and transport the clipping to the collection bin, saves the cost and air emissions resulting from transporting the grass clippings to the composting facility, and removes over 500 tons per year from our waste stream.


A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:

We grasscycle (see point above) throughout the campus to reduce the need for fertilizers. SJSU uses an Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) certified organic fertilizer for all our plants and turf when needed.


A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:

We use locally produced mulch to reduce evaporation from the soil surface, to reduce the need for watering, suppress weeds and build the organic matter in the soil.


A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:

We have converted over 90% of the campus to recycled water irrigation to significantly reduce our dependance on recycled water. Our irrigation is also helping to recharge the underground reservoirs.


A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):

Not applicable


A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:

SJSU’s biology department has created a wildlife habitat that is a certified Schoolyard Habitat site #1587 by the National Wildlife Federation. The site provides habitat for wildlife and learning opportunities for students.

Article found here:
http://www.biology.sjsu.edu/facilities/garden/index.html


Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No

The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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