| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.50 |
| Liaison | Derek Nichols |
| Submission Date | May 17, 2022 |
University at Buffalo
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.00 / 2.00 |
Sean
Brodfuehrer Senior Architectural Planner Campus Planning |
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 | 0 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 448.20 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 448.20 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Natural regeneration areas and areas which are not maintained comprise an additional 342.3 acres.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
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 not a formal document, University Facilities' 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. When they are necessary, a pesticide specific to the need is used in that locality.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
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 clay 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 approach to hydrology and water use:
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.
In addition, two lakes in the middle of the North Campus work to catch and let rain/storm waters settle from sources across the entire campus. Beginning in May of 2018, a riparian restoration plan has been implemented on the northern shore of UB's Lake LaSalle. http://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2018/08/lake-lasalle-revitalization.html
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
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 also mulch the majority of leaves in the fall.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
We are currently assessing the use of electric trimmers and mowers.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
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.
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.