Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.39
Liaison Marianella Franklin
Submission Date Aug. 28, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.03 / 2.00 Eric Delgado
Asst Dir Facilities Programs and Services
Facilities Management
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Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 321 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 56.43 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 19.29 Acres

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Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 230 Acres
Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined 15 Acres
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 0.28 Acres

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A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :
The department performs regular monitoring for pests. Once a pest is detected and a threshold is reached, our first approach is to attempt to eliminate the elements that might be promoting the invasion. If the condition persists our next approach is to follow with a non mechanical method in combination with pesticides (using expert advise).

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A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
The objective entails a modification of campus community culture—to one that focuses on the preservation of natural resources while minimizing our emission of carbon. The vision is to transition all landscape and grounds maintenance activities to a more ecologically sound operation by extending awareness and educational programs in support of this.

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A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
For most of our areas, weed control is managed by maintaining a healthy turf. This is accomplished by controlling watering schedules, turf height and re-seeding eroded areas.

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A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
UTPA utilizes a hydromulcher for seeding and fertilizing and a wood chipper to produce mulch from recycled brush and other organic materials resulting in a more beautiful and sustainable future for the UTPA campus grounds.

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A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
UTPA utilizes a hydromulcher for seeding and fertilizing and a wood chipper to produce mulch from recycled brush and other organic materials resulting in a more beautiful and sustainable future for the UTPA campus grounds.

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A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
use of vegetation common to this area include: PALM: FOXTAIL PALM, PYGMY DATE PALM (TRIPLE), TRUNK 2 PALM, ‘NATCHEZ’ CRAPE MYRTLE, ‘HONG KONG’ ORCHID TREE SHRUBS: VARIGATED GINGER, INDIAN HAWTHORNE ‘CLARA, DWARF FIRE BUSH, WHITE AFRICAN IRIS, MACHO FERN, PORTER WEED (BLUE), ‘GREEN CLOUD’ CENIZO, DWARF SCHEFFLERA ‘TRINETTE’, TI PLANT (‘RED SISTER’), ‘XANADU’ PHILODEN. GROUNDCOVERS: ASIAN JASMINE, PADRE ISLAND MIST FLOWER Grass: #1 CERTIFIED ‘FLORATAM’ ST AUGUSTINE SOD

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A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
Minimizing the use of potable water for irrigation.

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A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
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A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
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Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
Yes

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The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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