| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.69 |
| Liaison | Tess Esposito |
| Submission Date | Feb. 9, 2022 |
University of Dayton
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.28 / 2.00 |
Rob
Eichenauer Associate Director of Grounds Maintenance and Operations Facilities Management |
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 | 62.40 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 101.40 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 12.70 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 176.50 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
We are excluding buildings, impervious surfaces, artificial turf fields, and areas of open water.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Management depends on the type of land in question. However, no inorganic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, fungicides or herbicides are used in these areas. We allow these areas to grow naturally with occasional mowing if necessary. Invasive species, like honeysuckle, are removed when necessary using non-chemical methods.
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:
Pest control issues are monitored directly by campus staff and in conjunction with regional Ohio Department of Agriculture. To prevent pest issues, certain plants are avoided and others are companion planted to maximize natural barriers to infestation. When pests are detected, treatment is only applied once the infestation threatens to significantly impact campus; most issues are allowed to resolve themselves. When application of a pesticide is necessary, our Grounds department gives preference to applications which minimize risk of exposure to the community. In some cases, direct soil injections are preferred over aerosol applications, for example. Our first priority is to avoid use of synthetic chemicals, and as such, natural pest management techniques are routinely examined for efficacy.
Setting action thresholds: action is taken when there is damage or distress to plants or structures. For turf areas the goal is to remain weed-free.
Monitor and identify pests: Grounds monitors areas for weed outbreaks or animal and insect pests on an ongoing basis. 14 staff members have a pesticide applicator licence and are able to identify problems in the field.
Prevent or remove conditions that attract pests: we keep the grounds clear of dead wood, excess thatch, grass, and leaves. Trash is removed promptly. In turf areas, we have worked to reduce chemical and fertilizer use as much as possible. Along with fertilizer we apply weed prevention twice a year. The purpose of this is to prevent the need to spray for weeds more regularly, which would result in a net increase in chemical use. Pre-emergent is added to landscaped beds for the same reason.
Control: When a pest is discovered, and it is determined that it is causing damage to plants, structures, etc., we evaluate the type of pest and the extent of the damage. We appropriately treat only the affected area, unless the pest is highly invasive, in which we might broaden the area of application. Typically it only takes one application to remove the pest.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
We make every attempt to use species native to Southwest Ohio where possible.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Waste from grounds-keeping is mulched on site and reapplied on campus where possible.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Grounds is piloting a native plant project in order to determine the feasibility of restoring and caring for large plantings of native species. A group of students worked with Grounds in Fall 2017 to explore the potential of several of our organically-managed grounds to be restored to native habitat.
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.