| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.04 |
| Liaison | Troy Goodnough |
| Submission Date | March 30, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Minnesota, Morris
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Troy
Goodnough Sustainability Director Office of Sustainability |
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
| Area (double-counting is not allowed) | |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses a four-tiered approach | 165 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an organic land care standard or sustainable landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 165 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds (e.g. the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces, experimental agricultural land, areas that are not regularly managed or maintained):
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:
The Morris Grounds Crew uses follows IPM guidelines.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
[Defintion adapted from the US EPA http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/ipm.htm].
IPM Practices - Morris Plant Services Grounds Department
These are practices we follow:
• Define action thresholds that allow environmental conditions to dictate when pest control action must be taken to maintain plant health
• Define which insects and weeds require action, and which do not pose a threat to plant health and therefore require no action
• Aerate to reduce plant stress
• Monitor moisture to ensure plant health, making them less susceptible to pest problems
• Include plants that attract beneficial insects to help naturally control destructive insects
• Remove weeds by hand to reduce chemical use, when practical
• When chemical treatment is necessary, only apply directly to affected areas and use only the minimal amount to effectively address problems and vary use to prevent resistance.
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
A brief description of the organic land standard or landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials:
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Our campus has four different 'eras' that our grounds crew must consider when planting. Not only do they consider what plants were in Morris when settlers first arrived, they also look over what was here during the three parts of our campus's 100-year history. UMM has a historic master plan that our crew uses to guide their plant choices. They prioritize the use of native, low maintenance plants while striving to maintain the historic feel of our campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The Morris campus uses rain gardens and other features to keep water on-campus. Our campus master plan provides guidance regarding the restoration of several water features on campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Landscape waste is collected and brought to the composting area, where it is mixed with food compost to provide in recommended ratios to create an ideal composting environment.
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 (e.g. use of environmentally preferable landscaping materials, initiatives to reduce the impacts of ice and snow removal, wildfire prevention):
At Morris, the grounds crew is also responsible for snow removal in the winter. This is beneficial because they are aware of what is under the snow and are able to make educated decisions about the best place to put removed snow. Currently, we use crushed granite to reduce use of salts. In addition, they have been doing research on organic ice removal products and are performing experiments each winter. Currently, they are working with a liquid de-icing product that must be sprayed on before a snow/ice event.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.