| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.69 |
| Liaison | Trevor Ledbetter |
| Submission Date | Jan. 6, 2025 |
University of Arizona
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.76 / 2.00 |
Trevor
Ledbetter Director Office of Sustainability |
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 | 12 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 197 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 82 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 291 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
The areas not included in managed grounds are impermeable surfaces including roads, buildings, sidewalks, plazas, etc.
Organic program
If reporting an organic program, provide:
Organic products (including fertilizers and soil supplements) are used for pest control and fertilization on lawns and landscape beds to increase microbial activity and overall soil health. Most native plants are not fertilized.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
The campus is regularly inspected and monitored by department leaders in their daily activities. Building perimeters, the outdoor environment, landscapes, and plants are checked for conditions conducive to pests, levels of sanitation, and signs that pests are present. Staff are trained to know what to look for, where to look, and areas or situations where problems commonly occur. Any insect or weed concerns are reported to their immediate supervisor who determines the appropriate action.
Conditions conducive to weeds, rats, ants, and other outdoor pests are reduced through landscape practices. Vegetation is pruned away from buildings and dense growth is thinned to prevent hiding and nesting places for rats and insects. Organic and inorganic mulches are used to reduce weed growth. The grounds department employs proper fertilization, mowing, and irrigation scheduling to strengthen turf and reduce weeds. Trash receptacles are emptied regularly and events that include food are cleaned up soon after to reduce insect and animal invitations.
Prevention and non-chemical means are the first steps in pest control. When pest populations or damage exceeds acceptable thresholds the least toxic products are chosen. All personnel who apply chemical pesticides are licensed by the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Management Division. Each certified applicator maintains records of their pesticide use. IPM is stressed in AZDOA-approved continuing education units. Six hours of CEUs annually are required for continued pesticide application certification.
While there is an acceptable threshold for many common pests, biting or stinging insects or animals (e.g., wasps, venomous reptiles, etc.) have a zero threshold when detected in populated areas. Pest emergencies are rare but are handled promptly. For example, venomous insects or rabid or wild animals that are found in areas frequented by campus users are reported to the Facilities Management Work Control Desk who notifies the appropriate personnel or outside vendor to remove or mitigate.
Optional Fields
As the university is built on previously disturbed land, there is little opportunity to preserve native landscapes. However, efforts are made to install plants known to be native to the campus area and those which attract native animals, insects, and birds. Few areas have been restored to their natural state (little to no maintenance), but rather native options are incorporated into the existing landscape. The University also maintains a world-renowned Campus Arboretum and is a member of the American Public Garden Association and is also a Tree Campus USA.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
90-95% of the water used for landscape is reclaimed. A complex “smart” irrigation system is used which incorporates soil moisture sensors, flow meters, and low-flow turf irrigation heads. Landscape areas use drip irrigation. This irrigation system combined with visual inspections allows for optimal and intelligent use of irrigation water. Green infrastructure provides irrigation from rainfall (both stored and real-time) to some landscape areas.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Green waste generated from tree and shrub pruning and removals is mulched and composted by a non-university company. Recycle mowers are used to return grass clippings to the turf to break down.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Basic landscape design concepts are used for plant placement to provide cooling or insulation effects on surrounding buildings and outdoor areas. Native and drought-tolerant adapted plants are used for in-house landscape replacements or renovations and are specified for new builds. We have started to use the Climate Assessment Tool (CAT) developed for public gardens and arboreta for predictive modeling of climate change. This supports informed decision-making for plant selection based on suitability for future climate models.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Bee swarms are collected and relocated instead of killed when possible. This work is done by an outside vendor.
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.