Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 40.80
Liaison Karen Marin-Hines
Submission Date Feb. 26, 2021

STARS v2.2

Texas Tech University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Jessica Bunyard
Analyst
BIMAR
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
1,856.60 Acres

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 301.40 Acres
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 187.15 Acres
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 301.43 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 789.98 Acres

A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:

1303.36


Percentage of grounds managed organically:
38.15

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:

Texas Tech Grounds Maintenance uses several sustainable management practices. Use a centralized computer irrigation system that will shut the system down in the event of freezing temperatures, high winds, and rainfall more than a quarter inch. This system also reads evapotranspiration and adjusts watering times as needed for moisture loss. Where possible drip irrigation is used to minimize water loss and runoff. All pruning materials are taken to a campus site for grinding, then added to the compost pile with other plant materials. This mulch is then incorporated into the landscape. We are using more xeriscape plants on the outer perimeter of the campus to reduce water needs as well as maintenance. In the process of adding more perennials to our color beds in the place of annuals.


Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
23.69

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
A brief description of the IPM program:

Texas Tech Grounds Maintenance carefully selects plants that will thrive in a semi-arid climate, demonstrates drought hardiness, pest and disease resistance, and ease of maintenance. The primary goal of Texas Tech Grounds Maintenance is to provide an aesthetically safe and functional landscape through responsible sustainable practices.


A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:

Grounds Maintenance has used organics on a few sections of the campus, but at this time we do not have program in place


A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:

All LEED certified buildings built on campus have rain water retention ponds to trap the rain water runoff, allowing to soak into the soil instead of going directly to the storm drain. We have one rain water harvesting system, catching water runoff from the building, and using this water to irrigate the landscape in this area. We use well water on several of our irrigation systems, allowing us not to use the city water supply.


A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:

Currently there is no tracking of the weight or percentage. The GM Department composts all tree cuttings and plant material into mulch to be used on campus.


A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
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A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:

Sand is mostly used instead of a chemical de-icer because it will not harm the landscape. When a chemical de-icer is necessary it is used sparingly on walkways. Also, sand is removed as soon as it is possible with a street sweeper, and is recycled to be reused for the next snow or ice event. Plus, Texas Tech Grounds Maintenance utilizes detention ponds to help alleviate rainwater runoff by redirecting away from roadways. Compost/mulch is created in-house by shredding tree cuttings, and trimmings.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.