| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.09 |
| Liaison | DeLayne Miller |
| Submission Date | Dec. 18, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Tennessee Technological University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.44 / 2.00 |
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 | 267 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 | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 346.25 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 613.25 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):
The land excluded from the area of managed grounds includes 90% of the Appalachian Center for Craft, which is primarily wooded, and 25% of the Tech Farm.
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:
TnTech's Integrated Pest Management Plan is to ensure environmental and human safety while eliminating pests through the utilization of sustainable control methods. Core elements of the IPM include: use of least-toxic chemical pesticides, minimum use of chemicals, use of chemicals and pesticides only in targeted locations and for targeted species, routine inspection and monitoring, and proactive communication.
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:
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Dedicated to preserving native plants and helping pollinators, Tennessee Tech opened its Native Plant Garden on April 25, 2017. Tennessee Tech provided funds through the University’s Enhance Discovery Through Guided Exploration Quality Enhancement Plan to establish this garden under the guidance of Biology Professor Shawn Krosnick, Biology Professor Daniel Combs, Director of Grounds Kevin Tucker, and graduate student Heath Thacker. The garden includes several plants from the eight different habitat types, all of which are native to Tennessee. It also provides insect homes to assist local pollinators, serves as a lab for Professor Krosnick’s Field Botany course, and is a popular walkway for members of the community. In the spring of 2017, signs were made through funding from the Office of Sustainability that identify and describe each habitat, creating a fun and educational environment for people of all ages to enjoy at no cost.
https://www.tntech.edu/sustainability/greenspace-projects.php
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Tennessee Tech currently has in place a storm water management system. Pervious pavement allows rainwater to flow through and deposit into a rain garden. This will protect water quality and decrease flooding by reducing the amount of storm water runoff. There is a drainage system under the sand volleyball court on campus and the runoff from it flows into the berms and permeable pavement. Then it is captured in rain gardens and monitored by students through the monitoring station.
Tennessee Tech also has low flow fixtures in place that decrease the rate of water flow and subsequently the amount of water wasted per minute. They are installed in all buildings renovated in the last five years and will be in new buildings such as the LED certified STEM center.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Tree and shrub chippings are being processed to create mulch. Compost is processed from leaves, limbs, food waste and cardboard and used for landscape beds (incorporated) and used to plant new ground covers, shrubs and trees. Milorganite is mixed with the compost.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Over the past 3 years, 464 new trees have been planted, many of which have been for shade and wind breaks. Trees are planted and maintained around all buildings and provide shade and temperature control in all buildings. In the Spring of 2019, the parking lot behind the University Center on campus was converted to a green space, adding to the overall campus green space.
In the plans for the new LEED Certified Lab Science Building, the building plans include addition of green space surrounding the building (attached below). Previously, this area was a parking lot.
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):
The creation of bicycle racks from discarded hand rails placed upon permeable pads to reduce the impermeable footprint.
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 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.