| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.63 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.42 / 2.00 |
Konrad
Schlarbaum Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area:
541
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 | 47.42 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 | 19.42 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 66.84 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
Campus Landscape Organically Managed:
Non-irrigated native landscaped areas = 37.92 acres
Non-irrigated shrub/rock landscaped areas = 3.27 acres
Irrigated shrub/rock/planter = 4.73 acres
UCCS Farm = 1 acre
UCCS Sustainability Demonstration House (front and back yard) = 0.5 acre
Total: 47.42 acres
UCCS Landscape Managed Conventionally:
Irrigated turf/lawn = 19.42 acres
See the attached campus map below.
Non-irrigated native landscaped areas = 37.92 acres
Non-irrigated shrub/rock landscaped areas = 3.27 acres
Irrigated shrub/rock/planter = 4.73 acres
UCCS Farm = 1 acre
UCCS Sustainability Demonstration House (front and back yard) = 0.5 acre
Total: 47.42 acres
UCCS Landscape Managed Conventionally:
Irrigated turf/lawn = 19.42 acres
See the attached campus map below.
Organic program
70.95
If reporting an organic program, provide:
The UCCS Farm, Sustainability Demonstration House, and landscape associated with LEED-certified buildings are managed organically.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
0
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
---
A brief description of the IPM program:
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Optional Fields
Approximately 60% of the UCCS campus is native landscaping. As part of 15 new LEED buildings, significant bluff acreage has 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®. Plant Select aims to seek out, identify, and distribute the 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.
UCCS is a member of Plant Select®. Plant Select aims to seek out, identify, and distribute the 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. Significant work has also 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 most of the leaves on the turf and formal landscaping to assist with organics amendments. Outdoor Services partners with a local landscape company to compost all plant materials.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Where feasible, we have installed solar lighting 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 fully 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.
The majority of flower beds utilize water-wise and non-spraying or preemergent practices. In the Spring of 2021, UCCS received several grants and partnered with many organizations to establish a native plant and water-wise demonstration garden at the Sustainability Demonstration House.
The majority of flower beds utilize water-wise and non-spraying or preemergent practices. In the Spring of 2021, UCCS received several grants and partnered with many organizations to establish a native plant and water-wise demonstration garden at the Sustainability Demonstration House.
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/
UCCS Sustainability Demonstration House Garden
https://sustain.uccs.edu/SDH
https://farm.uccs.edu/
UCCS Sustainability Demonstration House Garden
https://sustain.uccs.edu/SDH
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.