| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.23 |
| Liaison | Maria Dahmus |
| Submission Date | June 21, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of St. Thomas
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.00 / 2.00 |
Jim
Hoffman Director of Facilities Maintenance Facilities Management |
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 | 0 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 84 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 84 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 university contracts with Ecolab for several pest management services. The Cockroach program employs proven Integrated Pest Management technology that emphasizes minimal use of pesticides. The rodent program employs multi-catch rodent devices and does not use rodenticide. The ant program uses only the minimal amount of insecticide required, and all materials are EPA-approved and applied according to the label, laws and regulations.
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:
Facilities Management has a goal of implementing the best possible turf program with the least amount of negative environmental impact. Contractors hired to perform lawn fertilizing and pesticides applications are required to strictly adhere to the Turf Grass Maintenance Best Practices created by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The Stewardship Garden at St. Thomas does not use pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
In 2016, the university inventoried all 1,484 trees on campus. The inventory captured general information on tree species, size and condition. We noted any trees that really stood out and whose contributions exceeded those of the other trees due to their size, structure and location. We identified these trees as Heritage trees and Honorable Mention trees and they are incorporated into our long term Campus Master Plan.
Another focus of the tree inventory was to evaluate the current and future maintenance needs. Our preventive maintenance plan includes regular monitoring of their condition, pruning, cabling and bolting as well as the treatment for Dutch elm disease and Emerald Ash borer (EAB). The preservation of our trees is the main focal point.
Our campus trees contribute to the landscape in multiple ways. Not only do they clean the air, provide habitat for wildlife, sequester carbon, provide beauty, but they can also reduce storm water, save on heating and cooling cost, and reduce volatile compounds (VOC’s). Trees play an important part of our overall campus environment. Our tree management program is essential for ensuring the preservation of our trees for years to come.
The Pollinator Path at the University of St. Thomas incorporates several native and perennial plants in a variety of sites across campus. More information about the pollinator path is available at: https://www.stthomas.edu/biology/research/greenhouses/pollinatorpath/pollinatorpathsites/
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
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):
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.