Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.64
Liaison Beth Klein
Submission Date April 23, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

State University of New York at Cortland
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.98 / 2.00 Matt Brubaker
Energy Manager
Facilites Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 323.06 Hectares
Footprint of the institution's buildings 22.66 Hectares
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 44.52 Hectares

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Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 0 Hectares
Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined 10.64 Hectares
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 245.24 Hectares

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A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :
The IPM plan has been uploaded as part of this report.

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A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
Institution’s grounds and satellite campuses are developed and maintained in accordance with an integrated pest management plan that adheres to the following four-tiered approach: 1) Set action thresholds—SUNY Cortland seldom has to deal with insect pests. Our IPM practices primarily focus on turfgrass disease and then only on a very limited basis. Historically, practices have been limited to snow mold prevention, pythium remediation, and grub remediation at the threshold of 8 or more grubs per square foot. 2) Monitor and identify pests Ongoing seasonally through soil profile samples and surface observation. 3) Prevention Focus is primarily to ensure the health of turfgrass and ornamentals through soil samples and observation of seasonal growth. Grow cloths are used to get a head-start on seasonal turfgrass cultivation and to improve vigor. Applications are limited to snow mold and anti fungals on NY Jets practice fields, baseball, softball and soccer fields. Arboreal applications being made for Emerald Ash Borer on a limited basis. Primary mode of tree disease management is limited pruning of diseased limbs. 4) Control Registered fungicides on a very limited basis.

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A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
The campus has developed a Campus Tree Committee and also worked closely with local arborist over the years to develop standards for purchasing and design of landscaping.

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A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
Landscape materials management and waste minimization has been focused on mulching waste materials for direct composting. This has greatly reduced waste and transportation costs commonly associated with waste disposal.

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A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
Soil management has consistently focused on replenishing with directly mulched materials so as to limit nutrient losses throughout the growing season.

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A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
Reuse of native soils, or soils derived from construction spoils so as to limit top-soil loss and the use of natural mulches.

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A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
We mow/mulch leaves in fall and have our own compost heap for grounds materials. The college food service composts all food waste.

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A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
Since 2005 campus started the use of non-salt products for ice control. Recently purchased a more efficient salt spreader for both road and sidewalk plowing equipment. This allows for the salt distribution to be remotely adjustable (in-cab) per site road conditions to minimize salt use. Also use of grit materials in place of salt when possible.

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A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
Hoxie Gorge, Raquette Lake, and Brauer Education Center are satellite campus locations which are utilized for many different purposes and departments. All are naturally unique and or protected areas and all have direct connections to Outdoor Environmental Education programs as well as Geology, Ecology, and Biology departments.

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Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
Yes

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