| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.57 |
| Liaison | Derek Nichols |
| Submission Date | Sept. 16, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University at Buffalo
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.14 / 2.00 |
John
Hayes Assistant Director, Buildings & Grounds, Facilities Operations University Facilities |
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 1,346 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 254.92 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 585.65 Acres |
Area of managed grounds that is::
| Area | |
| Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan | 436.43 Acres |
| Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined | 0 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 69 Acres |
A copy of the IPM plan:
The IPM plan :
While not a formal document, University Facilities uses the concepts of integrated pest management throughout UB's grounds. Our policy is to use no pesticides for the majority of campus grounds unless a specific pest threat exists that would be detrimental to the health and/or safety of the campus community. The exception to this is the athletic fields, where premium turf conditions are required for Division 1 athletic contests. Even there, IPM concepts are implemented utilizing best practice maintenance techniques including aeration, rolling, etc. to minimize the use of pesticides. When they are necessary, a pesticide specific to the need is used. There is also a very small area that is maintained the same way for aesthetic reasons. The area is referred to as "Buffalo Island" and is an area immediately outside the commencement venue, as well as the Center for the Arts, a building used for a variety of public access events. The area is used frequently for photographic opportunities for graduating seniors and others.
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
In our certified areas basic maintenance is undertaken to preserve the habitat including clearing fallen trees from paths, cutting grass walkways and mechanically removing weeds in stone walkways.
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
UB encourages the use of native plant species for all new landscaping projects or upgrades where feasible and practical. There is a master landscape plan that lists a variety of plant and tree species native to the area and that list is supplied to all landscape designers when designing new projects. Due to the nature of the original landscape of the campus and the harsh soil conditions resulting from the original design and construction of the campus, native species are not always the best choice as they do not thrive in the current soil conditions.
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
UB either composts or mulches all of the waste from grounds keeping. All mowers are equipped with mulching mower decks. Grass clippings are mulched as the grass is cut and clippings are left on the lawn to decompose and fertilize the lawn. The mowers alo mulch the majority of leaves in the fall. The small amount of collected leaves are composted and used as mulch on campus. Tree and shrub trimmings are chipped and used for much around tree bases and in planting beds.
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
In certified areas no soil amendments of any kid are used.
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
In certified areas no materials of any kind are added to the landscapes that are not naturally occurring.
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
In Letchworth Woods the natural hydrology of the site has been left in tact. At the Solar Strand a pond basin was designed to handle natural runoff on the central portion of the southern half of the installation. The natural hydrology of the lower topography at the extreme southern end of the site remains in tact.
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
The University at Buffalo engages in a number of practices to limit the impact of snow and ice removal:
- Proper storage of sand to reduce runoff and leaching.
-minimizing the use of sand.
-hand shoveling,
-traditional plowing
-calibration of salt spreading machinery
- Yearly safety, equipment, and logistics training
- Storing snow in specific areas to minimize runoff.
- Use of Landscapers Choice as an alternative to salt use.
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
Letchworth Woods and the Solar Strand grounds are certified wildlife habitats under the National Wildlife Federation program.
Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
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.