| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.09 |
| Liaison | Shane Stennes |
| Submission Date | Jan. 11, 2023 |
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Deborah
Boyd University Landscape Architect Landcare |
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 | 257 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 257 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Golf course, athletic fields, agricultural experiment station, building footprints
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
We've just started a program for 41 acres that eliminated pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. A formal landscape management plan is in development.
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:
Four step IPM plan includes:
-Monitor plant material for symptoms on a regular basis, as well as check documented problem areas.
-Identify problem causing symptoms; establish life cycle and treatment options.
-Set economic threshold; if threshold is reached a management tactic is selected; monitor; evaluated.
-Document the location, pest, treatment, results, and file for future use.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The University utilizes native plants where and when possible. Native plants were inventoried in 2014 and resulted in a count of 89,268 herbaceous plants, grasses and forbs. There were also 6,350 native trees and 21,862 native shrubs.
Steward historic buildings and landscapes
The University’s historic resources provide the residents of the State with a sense of history and identity. Adaptive reuse of these buildings and landscapes contributes to the image of the campus as an enduring institution and its sense of place. The promotion of a broad understanding, awareness, enjoyment and continued use of its historic resources is important to the stewardship of the University, and to the University’s commitment to sustainability.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
From the 2012 Storm Water Master Plan, Section 1.1 Guiding Principals: "The University is committed to minimizing the negative impacts on the natural hydrologic cycle and thereby improving the overall water quality and clarity as much as possible by treating storm water close to where it falls, reducing downstream impacts, recharging groundwater through infiltration as local soils and subsurface conditions allow, and reusing storm water wherever possible."
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Woody plants are used whenever possible for mulch in other parts of campus. All herbaceous material is composted offsite by a third-party.
The Campus embraces use of local and low impact materials; waste avoidance and recycling; greenhouse gas reductions through energy efficiency and use of renewable energy; water managed as a resource rather than a waste product; and meeting space needs though re-use of existing buildings and design of new buildings that reflect best practices in sustainable building development.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
A sustainable campus integrates ecological conservation, economic viability, and social equity through design, planning and operational organization to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The University strives to become a local, regional, and national leader in the application of sustainability practices, bringing appropriate methods and measures in all areas of our teaching, research, and outreach, and making sustainability a key component of our Master Planning efforts. Sustainability goals must inform campus decisions on energy, development and maintenance of buildings, protection of indoor and outdoor environments, and relationships with adjoining communities. Special attention is given to the University’s sensitive location on the Mississippi River.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
The snow and ice removal program is designed around mechanical removal with applications of chlorides in the right amount, at the right time, and at the right temperature. Steps include: annually calibrating equipment and training/reviewing with staff proper use of deicing chemicals; monitoring weather conditions; pre-treating primary pedestrian walkways, roads, parking ramps and loading docks with liquid de-iciers; pre-wetting road salt; minimizing use of sand to appropriate conditions.
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:
Minnesota Extension IPM Program, https://www.mnipm.umn.edu/
Twin Cities Campus Master Plan, https://cpm.umn.edu/campus-master-plans/twin-cities-campus-master-plan
Minnesota Extension IPM Program, https://www.mnipm.umn.edu/
Twin Cities Campus Master Plan, https://cpm.umn.edu/campus-master-plans/twin-cities-campus-master-plan
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.