| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.23 |
| Liaison | Jim Walker |
| Submission Date | June 14, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Texas at Austin
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.94 / 2.00 |
Jim
Carse Manager, Landscape Services Facilities Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
828
Acres
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 | 471 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 15 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 486 Acres |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
Within the institutional boundary, there are approximately 332 acres of building footprints, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
0
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
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 of the life cycle of pests and their interactions with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. IPM programs take advantage of all pest management options possible including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides.
Organic Program
96.91
If reporting an organic program, provide:
Organic fertilizers will be used as recommended by soil test results. For dry or prilled material, broadcast or drop spreaders or by hand in planting beds. For liquidmaterial, back sprayers or watering cans or tank sprayers for large areas. Compost will be used where
appropriate.
In 2010 UT Landscape Services eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials. We rely on locally sourced organic fertilizers & supplements (molasses, seaweed/kelp, humate and bio-char products), homemade leaf mold compost and in-house brewed compost tea.
The only chemicals we use are:
-The pesticide Fipronil (“Topchoice”) is used only to treat fire ants in turf grass areas where large events are held.
-The herbicide Triclopyr (“Garlon”) is used to treat invasive plants in areas of campus.
We understand the importance of the soil food web, and strive to improve the health of local water sources by using natural products to keep the campus landscape healthy and looking good.
All new landscape staff are trained in our organic approach during on-boarding.
Optional Fields
We only plant native or naturalized species on campus, control invasive species where applicable, enforce a tree protection standard, and re-purpose large volumes of wood removed from campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The campus is starting to utilize bioswales to minimize the amount of runoff into our storm water system. We are also using Rain Water Harvesting on some of our newer buildings and working on implementing them for different areas around campus. More information on that is under the water section.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Landscape material is collected and brought back to landscape services office where small/medium tree limbs are put in brush box where they are taken offsite to be turned into mulch. Leaves are added to a pile where they turn into compost and then mixed with soil to be used around campus.
Large size tree limbs are being stored and will be used to create different types of furniture, office accessories, and award plaque.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
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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):
Landscaping consults with Environmental Health & Safety annually in advance of severe weather warnings. Ice and snow are an infrequent event in South Texas, but despite the low threat, special precautions are taken so that Landscaping does not use chemicals or solids that threaten the health of Waller Creek and the campus's other natural features. Plain sand is usually the first safety measure deployed.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/bcv/ https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/gcw/
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.