| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.79 |
| Liaison | Larry Cook |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of South Carolina
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.51 / 2.00 |
Austin
Sutherland Sustainability Coordinator 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 | 159 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 | 1 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 158 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 318 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):
287 Acres is excluded.
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:
We have decreased our use of inorganic fertilizers to zero except in some cases on the athletic fields. These grounds areas are maintained by contractors for athletics and campus recreation.
On the general campus grounds we use cultural practices to eliminate insect or disease problems such as pruning and tipping back plant parts that are infested. We also select plants that are resistance to common pests problems to reduce the populations to begin with.
Our two pest control technicians are conservative in their use of chemicals and use them as a last resort and only when economic thresholds are exceeded. This means that we will only use chemical pest control measures when infestation levels threaten plant health. We do not use “preventative” spray programs except, on occasion when we may use pre-emerge herbicides in turfgrass areas but it is minimal.
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:
The University grounds Department uses the Operational Guidelines for Grounds Operations (APPA/PGMS) as a standard for landscape care.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The University employs a practice of using native plants and vegetation whenever possible on campus, when appropriate for the site.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The University uses impervious surface materials, when possible, to capture storm water and have it infiltrate into the soil. The use of rain gardens, cisterns and small water capturing devices is occasional used when appropriate for the site.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
The University utilizes compost and other organic amendments as mulch materials that are generated from ground operations. Tree Care operations wood (trimmings, etc.) is converted to mulch by chipping. Leaves and yard waste from groundskeeping are given one of two different compost operations on campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Over the past 10 years we have eliminated many parking spaces and replaced them with green spaces, reducing the heat island effect of the campus
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):
Snow and Ice removal practices: Majority of material is a sand product, under sever ice conditions, a salt melt product may be used for student and pedestrian safety.
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.