| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.36 |
| Liaison | Ben Dharmendra |
| Submission Date | July 30, 2021 |
University of Sydney
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.69 / 2.00 |
Zoe
Morrison Strategy Advisor Strategy Office |
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 | 48.50 Hectares |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 20.23 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 100 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 168.73 Hectares |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Spaces are actively maintained, across 5 separate sites. Areas excluded include, land that is managed by faculty under the UEM agreement.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The University currently undertakes a number of IPM processes including cultural controls where possible to improve trees,plant and lawn health. A plan to greatly reduce the use of glyphosate has been implemented with a plan to be glyphosate free by 2025.
Main aims are to:
1.Reduce the use of environmentally sensitive pesticides and by doing so negating the effects on non-target organisms such as bees.
2.Adopt IPM-non chemical means where possible
3.Focus on cost effective solutions.
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:
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
-Establishment of individual Biodiversity plans for each campus, with baseline data collected for each area.
-Use of renewable and sustainable landscape resources, particularly at our commercial farms such as Arthursleigh where companion planting is used to reduce weeds and pesticide use.
-Implementation of living lab initiatives focused on landscape and space, aligned projects on the University grounds with teaching and research activities.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
- Target to reduce the use of towns water for irrigation by 20% by 2030.
- Archived through greater utilisation of existing rainwater storage on site and sustainable plant selection.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
University Sustainability Strategy includes:
- Zero waste to landfill by 2030
- Re-use/recycling of landscape materials, both hard construction and plant stock found on campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
- Adopting an approach which targets quadruple bottom line environmental benefits.
- Climate comfort, shade access, natural ventilation and activated spaces on campuses designed for use in all seasons
- Reflection of local qualities, materials and responsibility for environmental assets
- Increased copy cover
- Networking of green space, complementing a regional natural habitat network/corridor.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Implementation of Biodiversity Plan that will continue to know and grow floral and faunal biodiversity across all its campuses.
Key objectives:
- 30% canopy cover by 2030
- Increase green space on campus where possible – grass, trees and planting over asphalt.
- Conversion of redundant paved surfaces to green or activated open spaces
- Where possible implementation of recycled landscape materials
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:
The University of Sydney is currently developing an Open Spaces strategy which will include the new Biodiversity Management Plan and see our campuses a habitat as well as spaces for meeting and health and wellbeing.
The University of Sydney is currently developing an Open Spaces strategy which will include the new Biodiversity Management Plan and see our campuses a habitat as well as spaces for meeting and health and wellbeing.
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.