| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.05 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | Feb. 15, 2021 |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.01 / 2.00 |
Rob
McGann Outdoor Services Supervisor Facilities Services Outdoor Services |
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 | 1 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 | 176 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 177 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Not included in the landscape that is managed is undeveloped land that is part of the Austin Bluffs formation. This is native and is protected as part of the LEED building projects.
This also includes the impervious surfaces.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The UCCS Farm is organic and does not use pesticides of inorganic fertilizers. It is approximately 1 acre.
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:
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Approximately 60% of the UCCS campus is native landscaping. As part of 14 new LEED buildings, significant acreage on the bluffs have been committed to no development. This is defined as native plant life allowed to grow unassisted and unchecked. UCCS encourages native and low-water landscaping to be used as much as possible when designing and constructing on campus.
UCCS is a member of Plant Select®. The purpose of Plant Select is to seek out, identify and distribute the very best plants for Colorado landscapes. Being a member offers us more opportunities to educate students, faculty, staff, and the community about plants that thrive in local landscapes. Also, we use plants identified by Colorado Springs Utilities through their WaterWise program.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Where feasible and compatible with Colorado water law, UCCS utilizes swales and diversion techniques to utilize stormwater runoff on landscaping. As well, significant work has been done to limit the effects of erosion and expansion of arroyos on the campus. Rain gardens have been employed in several locations.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Outdoor Services uses an attachment lawnmower mulcher to keep majority of the leaves on the turf and formal landscaping to assist with organics amendments. Minimal leaves and grass clippings are taken to the UCCS Farm by Outdoor Services to be composted with preconsumer food waste from the Dining Facilities.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Where feasible, we have installed solar lighting, such as for our campus signs, flagpoles and other installations where outside lighting is required. The Ent Center for Performing and Visual Arts minimized light pollution by installing full cut off shields and using predominately all bollard height or shorter fixtures in the Ent Center plaza and garden areas.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Outdoor Services utilizes the Firewise USA™ practices for fire mitigation.
Majority flower beds utilize non-spraying or premergent practices.
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:
UCCS Farm
https://farm.uccs.edu/
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.