| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.16 |
| Liaison | Ryan Chabot |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
University of Central Florida
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.10 / 2.00 |
Yara
Watson Colon Sustainability Specialist II Sustainability Initiatives |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area:
1,415.10
Acres
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 | 33 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 295.30 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 328.30 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
Areas excluded from managed grounds include building footprints, impervious surfaces, and natural lands.
Fertilizer data reported here does not include land managed by UCF Athletics.
Fertilizer data reported here does not include land managed by UCF Athletics.
Organic program
10.05
If reporting an organic program, provide:
In 2018 we shifted to using only organic fertilizer in our campus landscape beds. Inorganic fertilizer is still used on many turf areas but it is mixed with an organic base. We use some organic pest control products in our IPM program.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
89.95
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
UCF's IPM plan outlines procedures to be followed to reduce pest infestations by evaluating the biological features contributing to an infestation and using a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical controls to control only those pests that have exceeded established thresholds for treatment. The plan is designed to comply with policies and regulations published by the Florida Department of Agriculture. The IPM plan addresses a four-tiered approach: prevention strategies; monitoring for pests; taking action when appropriate (action thresholds); and identification of appropriate controls.
Objectives of this IPM plan include:
-Elimination of significant threats caused by pests
-Prevention of loss or damage of plant material by pests.
-Protection of environmental quality.
Objectives of this IPM plan include:
-Elimination of significant threats caused by pests
-Prevention of loss or damage of plant material by pests.
-Protection of environmental quality.
Optional Fields
The university’s approach to plant stewardship is to use plant material that is hardy, requires minimal inputs, and showcases the horticultural diversity and potential of the Central Florida region. Many landscapes feature native species and the campus is expanding its standards to include consideration of habitat quality of landscapes for pollinators, birds, and other species. The majority of the urban tree canopy on campus is comprised of Florida native species, including Live oaks (Quercus virginiata), red maples (Acer rubrum), sweet gums (Liquidambar styraciflua), magnolias (Magnolia sp.), and sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis). As a Bee Campus USA, we are required to have pollinator gardens, and we currently have five pollinator gardens and are planning an additional one for 2020. Native and drought-tolerant plants are used in new landscapes to cut back on water usage.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The university has 11 constructed stormwater ponds on-campus that collect rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces to reduce rapid flow into downstream waterways during storms, and to filter impurities before allowing the water to flow into a natural community. These natural communities then filter the water further before it flows off of campus and into the Little Econlockhatchee River.
The campus landscape is irrigated with 100% reclaimed water. Irrigation schedules are adjusted seasonally and to account for rainfall, with an emphasis on applying no more water necessary than to sustain plant health. Water-loving plants are planting only in areas with naturally wet soils, and the campus plant palette emphasizes the use of water-efficient plants.
The Natural Resources department has carried out several restoration projects that relate directly to water filtration. The first is in a natural riparian community in the northeast portion of campus, an area that is included in the 726 acres of conservation land on campus where aquatic plants were planted to deter motor vehicles from driving through the area and reduce erosion. The second restoration project is ongoing and is located in an original deep drainage canal that carries stormwater out of the urban portion of campus and into the conservation portion of campus. Invasive plant species were removed and native wetland flora, including aquatic vegetation and hardwood trees, were planted along the edge of the canal to filter and slow the flow of water and to reduce erosion.
The campus landscape is irrigated with 100% reclaimed water. Irrigation schedules are adjusted seasonally and to account for rainfall, with an emphasis on applying no more water necessary than to sustain plant health. Water-loving plants are planting only in areas with naturally wet soils, and the campus plant palette emphasizes the use of water-efficient plants.
The Natural Resources department has carried out several restoration projects that relate directly to water filtration. The first is in a natural riparian community in the northeast portion of campus, an area that is included in the 726 acres of conservation land on campus where aquatic plants were planted to deter motor vehicles from driving through the area and reduce erosion. The second restoration project is ongoing and is located in an original deep drainage canal that carries stormwater out of the urban portion of campus and into the conservation portion of campus. Invasive plant species were removed and native wetland flora, including aquatic vegetation and hardwood trees, were planted along the edge of the canal to filter and slow the flow of water and to reduce erosion.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
The landscape operation uses recycled hardwood mulch and pine straw in landscape beds. Campus landscape trimmings and debris are picked up by a contractor who recycles much of the waste into mulch and other organic products.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
The campus has 25 LEED-certified buildings and the landscape was included in the LEED credits portion. Landscape designs emphasize low maintenance plant materials. Pruning schedules follow standard horticultural practice with an emphasis on material that does not need to be frequently pruned. The campus has a campus tree planting plan that aims to provide shade in more areas which will reduce the heat island effect and help reduce overall heat loads to buildings
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Landscape master plan (https://www.green.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/UCF-LNR-Master-Plan.pdf), prescribed burn program (https://www.green.ucf.edu/natural-resources/prescribed-fires/)
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:
Fertilizer data reported here do not include land managed by UCF Athletics.
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.