| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.90 |
| Liaison | Cody Friend |
| Submission Date | March 19, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Nebraska at Omaha
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.06 / 2.00 |
Sarah
Burke Sustainability Coordinator Student Affairs |
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 | 0 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 | 10 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 335 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 345 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):
Landscape Services cares for approximately 335 acres of turf and landscaping planting beds on campus. The remaining acres owned by UNO are our preserves and the footprint of our buildings and impervious surfaces.
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:
Landscape Services provides a safe, healthy and safe campus. They planted a few more annuals this summer. Also, planted four beds of Fall plants for a little more color going into Winter. The landscape crew does exterior pest and animal control, disease management in turf, trees, and shrubs. Again this year they did not use any insecticide on the turf - if the trees and shrubs needed an application of an insecticide it was contracted out to a local vendor.
Environmental and Custodial Services provides campus interior pest control via an outside contractor and we have an EPA/Nebraska certified license applicator on staff. They use an integrated pest management control program to reduce negative human and environmental impact.
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:
10 acres on campus are exclusively managed only with ecologically preferable materials, with no use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. The products used by Landscape Services on these areas are Omagrow and Milorganite (both are organic products with Omagrow being a product created in Omaha). Last FY, 3500 cu. yards of natural mulch was used on campus.
For the rest of the campus, Landscape Services works to manage our grounds using natural, environmentally-friendly methods. However, if the problem is too difficult to manage, other products may be used (inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) Insecticides have not been used on the turf for a number of years.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Fescue and Buffalograss have replaced Bluegrass as the turfgrass of choice. Native tallgrass planting has been added in place of traditional turfgrass. Four flower beds were changed to perennial beds.
Currently, the university is replanting its nursery stock to account for trees that would/will be lost to new development.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Retention ponds and rain gardens have been added throughout campus. The law requires retention ponds and rain gardens to be installed for all new construction of parking lots and buildings. UNO has approximately 50 gardens on campus. Baxter Arena's porous concrete removed due to safety issues. Drains installed around Baxter Arena to allow rainwater to go into Retention Ponds.
Sprinklers are only turned on when needed (computerized-system)
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Tree branches and yard waste is collected and taken to a local tree service where it is mulched/composted and returned to UNO for landscaping use.
Replanting nursery stock that would be lost to new development
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
All Bluegrass has been replaced with drought-tolerant fescue, removed in favor of xeriscaping or native tallgrasses, or has at least has its associated irrigation largely reduced.
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):
Corn-derived de-icer has replaced salt for use on circulation roads in the winter.
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.