Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 76.52
Liaison Maria Kirrane
Submission Date July 28, 2022

STARS v2.2

University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.63 / 2.00 Barrie Curley
Estates manager
B&E
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
54.03 Hectares

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 9.46 Hectares
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 0 Hectares
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 20.49 Hectares
Total area of managed grounds 29.95 Hectares

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

Curraheen "new" farm not included as currently let to local farmer - 19.99 hectares.

The footprint of buildings, which accounts for 52.12 hectares, has been excluded.


Percentage of grounds managed organically:
31.59

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:

Fertiliser, with weed suppressant is only used in the Quad and President's garden.
Fastgrow seaweed fertiliser and xlpro bio organic products are used on the rest of the campus grounds, if required.
No pesticides or fungicides are used on campus landscapes, except where invasive species need to be controlled or eliminated.
Mardyke sportsgrounds and Curraheen Road pitches are fertilised and sprayed yearly.


Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
0

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
---

A brief description of the IPM program:
---

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

Last year, preference for native planting and increasing our native wildflower meadows. A significant tree management and conservation program is in place on campus. All tree are surveyed yearly and the details of each tree are available online.


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

Across the whole campus only one sprinkler is in use, on the main Quad. The sprinkler is on a timer and only used in summer. Natural irrigation everywhere else.


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

Some grass mulched into the grounds, rest is composted and all leaves mulched.
Minimisation of chemical use
Identification and conservation of key habitats
Mapping and protection of significant trees
Procurement of new mowers to mulch the grass back into the soil.
Battery tools have been bought replacing petrol models
New Electric Vehicle was purchased to replace a tractor and trailer.
An interactive map of the significant trees has been developed and made available online
The grounds staff use an environmentally friendly fuel in their motorised tools where by the containers are recyclable and the petrol is free from benzene and hydrocarbons.
A contract for weed eradication on campus, using the most environmentally friendly system, is in place.
An extensive knotweed eradication programme, utilising international best practice techniques, is in place.
Biodiversity training has been provided to all grounds staff.


A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:

Capital Projects incorporate energy – efficient landscape design into all plans, examples include :Planting trees for the purpose of providing shade, which reduces cooling costs.
Planting or building windbreaks to slow winds near buildings, which reduces heat loss.
Wall sheltering, where shrubbery or vines are used to create a windbreak directly against a wall.


A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:

All petrol tools replaced with batteries - e.g. strimmers and blowers. Tractor and trailer replaced with EV. Excess compost used in landscaping, native planting where appropriate.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
https://www.ucc.ie/en/greencampus/practice/landscape-heritage-and-natural-resources/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
OP_9_Landscape_Management_Supporting_Information.docx

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.