| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.93 |
| Liaison | Gabrielle Jette |
| Submission Date | April 13, 2022 |
The Catholic University of America
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.54 / 2.00 |
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 | 41.12 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 12.70 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 122.58 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 176.40 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Roads account for 12.7 acres, surface parking accounts for 10.6 acres, building footprints account for 17.9 acres and sidewalks account for 14.8 acres. The University is approximately 176.4 acres.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The main parts of campus is comprised of approximately 135 acres. These parts of campus follow traditional landscape management with fertilizers and herbicides. The University owns a 40+ acres largely undeveloped parcel of land that is adjacent to the main campus. The West Campus as it is called does not use fertilizers and herbicides for the minimum maintenance at the site. There is no irrigation at the site. Mowed areas are kept to a minimum and tree pruning/removal is kept to a minimum and only used when a hazardous condition is present.
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:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a concept in pest management in which both chemical and non-chemical control strategies are used in conjunction to achieve and maintain a pest free environment. Visual inspections, monitoring devices and strategic bait placements each play a role in the overall IPM design, resulting in an environment that is not only pest free, but safe as well.
This program has an extreme consciousness of and appreciation for human and environmental health and preservation. Our IPM program enables us to use pesticides only when necessary. If spray insecticides or other conventional pest control methods become necessary, they are used in a very site-specific, controlled manner, avoiding over application and the presence of pesticides in undesirable locations. By yielding outstanding results, our IPM Program is mutually rewarding to both the client and the pest control operator.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The natural landscape is a critical part of the identity and experience of the campus. Plantings soften the built environment, celebrate the passage of time through seasonal changes, influence the quality of light, shape shapes, and enrich places with texture, color, and form. A cultivated landscape can create memorable places that reflect the statue, age, and history of a place.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The campus is very attuned to hydrology and water use. Plantings are selected that are native and adaptive to the region. There has been an overall decrease in areas that have permanent irrigation over the years. Additionally, the University has more than 80 stormwater devices on-site and several woodlands that reduce runoff and promote groundwater recharge.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
In recent times, the University has significantly reduced the landscape management stockpile areas on campus. This reduction in stockpile areas encourages teams to only order what they need for the season. This prevents harmful materials from being stored on site for extended periods of time where leaching and runoff is more likely to occur.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
The University is slowly upgrading its outdoor lighting to LEDs. As new buildings are built, the outdoor lighting is LEDs.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Sustainable landscape management practices are carried out in turf management. Recently, the department has re-introduced an environmentally sustainable fertilizer or topdressing to support the campus landscape.
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 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.