| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.53 |
| Liaison | Rachael Wein |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2020 |
Smith College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.81 / 2.00 |
Stephanie
Choi Sustainability Coordinator CEEDS |
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 | 245 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 45 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 5 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 295 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
148 acres on campus are excluded from the area of managed grounds, this includes the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces (parking lots + sidewalks). We do not manage these surfaces.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
245 of 250 total acres at the Whately Field Station are managed in an organic land standard. The 245 acres include forested land, a fruit orchard, and meadows. No inorganic fertilizers, or chemical pesticides/fungicides/herbicides are used. 210 acres of the property are under a conservation restriction. The 5 acres that not managed organically is a hay field that is conventionally fertilized once a year.
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:
During Winter and Spring 2020, our grounds department is actively working to create a written IPM program. While IPM practices are actively followed across the main campus, our protocol and processes have not been documented in the past. Below is a description of the protocol followed:
1. Assessing site conditions and characteristics
2. Surveying Pests at the site - identifying location and populations of weeds, insects, and diseases at any particular site
3. Determining pest response threshold levels - turfgrass threshold levels are based on aesthetics and the use of the turf.
4. Developing a monitoring and record keeping program - visual inspection and weather monitoring are two ways of anticipating pest development and damage.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
We currently have an invasive species plan reported on a yearly basis to the Conservation Commission. Areas designated along the Mill River water way are inspected and invasive plants are removed.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Water infiltration systems are installed across campus to mitigate storm-water surge.
Smith uses water from Mill River for irrigation to reduce potable water use. Invasive plants along the Mill River water way are removed.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
All leaf matter is collected and composted. Brush and trimmings are chipped and stock piled, wood debris is collected and used for fire wood.
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:
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 footprint of the campus' buildings includes parking lots and sidewalks, as those areas on not applicable to IPM management practices.
The footprint of the campus' buildings includes parking lots and sidewalks, as those areas on not applicable to IPM management practices.
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.