| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.15 |
| Liaison | Mary Ellen Mallia |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2023 |
University at Albany
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.38 / 2.00 |
Anil
Mangal Associate Director of Operations Physical Plant |
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 | 90.60 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 87.30 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 17 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 194.90 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Total area of managed grounds in 194.8. This will exclude building footprints, parking areas, water features and wooded areas. Within existing building footprints, the campus has approximately 9,500 sf of green roof and several landscape planters located around the primary academic campus building. The campus has installed approximately 1.5 acres of porous asphalt and concrete pavement over recent years. The campus has a 5.0 acre pond used for stormwater management and irrigation. There is approximately 27.0 acres of wooded area on campus that consists of mixed mature deciduous and evergreen trees with a portion of the land having slopes 5-15%.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Other than athletic fields,(736,885.00 square feet, or 17 acres), the university refrains from using synthetic fertilizer on our campus grounds. The grounds are watered through rain water harvesting from our campus pond.
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:
While there is no formal document, the grounds department adheres to IPM practices. The first action is to make sure areas are kept clean and that there is appropriate and adequate waste bins with secured lids to discourage the presence of pests. When pests are detected, their presence is assessed through baiting and monitoring to determine the level of infestation and then determining the appropriate response. If their presence affects the health and/or safety of campus members, then chemicals are used as an action of last resort.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Specifying plants for landscape enhancements that will thrive in existing soil, solar, and moisture conditions while recommending predominantly native plant materials.
Inspect landscape areas weekly to review overall health, identify insect, disease, or moisture concerns, remove trash that may collect, prune liability branches, weed, and note significant concerns to manager.
Mulch, weed, and prune during ideal times of year to maintain growth and overall health conditions.
Identify trees that should be removed due to aging, decline, or storm damage that can be phased and coordinated over time with new plantings.
Create priority maintenance areas at the campus entries and inner academic core area out to the periphery where it becomes more naturalized.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Maintain pond stormwater functionality, water level, quality, and water shed contribution for continued irrigation use on campus.
Limit new irrigation system installations and provide watering during only initial growing period of new plantings.
Mow lawns at higher heights to reduce mowing frequency, assist in weed control, and keep lawns green during summer months.
Consider and install rain gardens where application makes aesthetic, academic, and maintenance sense.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Collect and consolidate all yard waste and debris in drop-off containers that are transported off-site locally so materials can be shredded, composted, and mulched for future use.
Limit bagging grass clippings during mowing season.
Provide commodity bins for mulch, topsoil, and stone to contain and minimize runoff potential.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Planting and maintaining trees adjacent to buildings that provide shade.
The campus has 9,500 sf of green roof area on existing buildings, consideration for future opportunities.
The campus recommends planting trees in or adjacent to parking areas to reduce heat island effect.
The campus has installed 1.5 acres of porous asphalt and concrete and considers future opportunities to incorporate green infrastructure.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Heritage Garden and initiatives to enhance pollinator planting areas
Membership in the Stormwater Coalition and green infrastructure guidelines
The use of porous surfaces reduces the need for salt and provides more traction
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:
Landscape master plan link: http://www.albany.edu/facilities/campusplanning/documents/LandscapeMasterPlan.pdf
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.