| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 88.80 |
| Liaison | Richard Demerjian |
| Submission Date | Aug. 11, 2021 |
University of California, Irvine
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Richard
Demerjian Assistant Vice Chancellor Office of Environmental Planning and 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 | 0 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 1,475 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 1,475 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
The total area of managed grounds equals the total campus area listed above.
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:
UC Irvine's pest control program is centered on an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system that employs physical, mechanical, cultural, biological, and educational methods to limit pest problems. Where a chemical pesticide is required as a last resort to control pests, the least toxic chemical pesticide is used. Basic pest management principles allow the campus community to prevent pest problems and find the best pest control solutions. The basic principles include storing food appropriately, keeping work areas clean and uncluttered, removing recycling and trash regularly, and checking insect entry points to make sure they are properly sealed.
The goals of the IPM program at UCI are:
1. Protect human health and the surrounding environment by employing a range of preventative strategies and using least-toxic products for pest control and eradication.
2. Inspect and monitor pest populations and locations to enhance control strategies.
3. Minimize the quantity and toxicity of chemicals used for pest management.
4. Minimize environmental impacts by using species-specific pesticides and targeting application areas carefully.
5. Establish clear criteria for acceptable circumstances in which using a pesticide other than a least-toxic pesticide is necessary; toxic pesticides shall only be used when there is a threat to public health and safety, or to prevent economic or environmental damage, and only after other alternatives have been implemented and are shown to be ineffective.
6. Provide building occupants and visitors with advanced notice of IPM activities involving use of a pesticide other than a least-toxic pesticide.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The Green and Gold Plan identifies native and climate appropriate plants for use on campus and management of the campus open space networks to maximize habitat and natural resource value. UCI sustainability staff, faculty, and students work collaboratively on campuswide habitat protection and enhancement programs involving the creation or restoration of native plant associations to provide native habitat in campus upland, wetland, and riparian habitat types.
View the Green and Gold Plan: https://cpep.uci.edu/physical/landscape-plan.php
Current projects include a turf replacement project in which biological sciences faculty are comparing native California plants to drought tolerant non-native plants.
Facilities Management controls invasive species including artichoke thistle, pampas grass, tamarisk, and other invasive species that threaten habitat resources. UCI grounds staff follows the IPM plan to manage invasive species.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) identifies preservation and enhancement of the natural arroyos (season drainage features). As part of the natural hydrology of the campus these arroyos serve important functions as riparian habitat for native species, rainwater management, and recreational corridors to the campus community.
View the 2007 LRDP: https://cpep.uci.edu/physical/campus-lrdp.php
UCI's Water Action Plan includes provides for Low Impact Design (LID) as required strategy for all new construction and major redevelopment projects. The campus already has a variety of sustainable stormwater treatment facilities including bioswales, sand filter beds, percolation galleries, and natural treatment facilities that help protect the integrity of its watershed. The Office of Environmental Planning & Sustainability is working with research programs on campus to develop demonstration projects incorporating vegetated swales to treat runoff associated with on-going operations.
View the UCI Water Action Plan 2017 Update: https://ucisustain.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/UCIWAP2017.pdf
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
100% of landscape waste at UCI is composted. The campus uses two methods of mulching on site: It uses self-mulching mowers on grass and annually chips 150-plus tons of green waste for compost used in planting beds and park trails on campus. Larger landscape waste items (i.e. tree removals) are composted at a local facility.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
The university waters 95% of the irrigated landscape of the campus with recycled (non-potable) water. The university also has many buildings with drought-tolerant landscaping that is designed to reduce runoff and heat island effect.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
UCI is actively replacing gas powered landscape equipment with electric equipment including mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers. This transition started in Student Housing which has replaced 100% of its gas powered equipment.
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:
Since 2010, UCI has been designated as a Tree Campus USA through the Arbor Day Foundation, recognized for efforts in establishing and sustaining an urban tree canopy.
Since 2010, UCI has been designated as a Tree Campus USA through the Arbor Day Foundation, recognized for efforts in establishing and sustaining an urban tree canopy.
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.