| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.65 |
| Liaison | Melissa Cadwell |
| Submission Date | June 15, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Syracuse University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.37 / 2.00 |
Melissa
Cadwell Sustainability Coordinator Energy Systems & Sustainability Management |
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 | 57 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 | 624 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 269 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 950 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):
9 acres of roads, and sidewalks.
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:
We have developed and maintained an IPM approach to 57 acres of natural turf associated with the Athletics Department and Department of Recreational Services. We also maintain the grass areas on the main campus Quad using these practices.
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:
Examples of areas that are pesticide free are the Dineen Roof Top Gardens, Center of Excellence green roof, campus bio-swales, rain garden at the Waverly parking lot, swales on South Campus. The areas on campus that are pesticide free would be roughly 65% of the total green spaces.
Our grounds department relies on cultural practices to maintain the areas. Examples of cultural practices: proper mowing techniques, aerating, slit seeding, and dethatching.
We apply approx. 1 ton of organic fertilizer on campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
As part of its efforts to control stormwater run-off, SU has created a number of sumps populated with native marsh flora. In addition, drought-resistent native species are used exclusively in our rain garden.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
300 yards of organic matter from trees, soil excavation, twigs, stump grindings, etc. are turned in to compost on campus, and then used across campus grounds the following year. The stone that was previously used on the roof of the Newhouse School has been reused as a stone mulch in some landscaping projects. When the new promenade was built on campus, university avenue pavement was milled and used in that application.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Drought resitant plants are used near roads, walks and parking lots.
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):
Snow melts have been implemented across different areas of campus to reduce the need for salt during the winter months.
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 data for this section was obtained by the manager of our grounds department.
The areas on campus that are pesticide free would be roughly 65% of the total green spaces. Our grounds crew rely's mostly on cultural practices to maintain the areas. Examples of cultural practices: proper mowing techniques, aerating, slit seeding, dethatching.
The data for this section was obtained by the manager of our grounds department.
The areas on campus that are pesticide free would be roughly 65% of the total green spaces. Our grounds crew rely's mostly on cultural practices to maintain the areas. Examples of cultural practices: proper mowing techniques, aerating, slit seeding, dethatching.
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.