Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 80.17
Liaison Mike Wilson
Submission Date May 5, 2020

STARS v2.2

University of Victoria
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.95 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
402 Acres

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 305 Acres
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 17 Acres
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 0 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 322 Acres

A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:

Building footprints and impervious surfaces have been excluded.


Percentage of grounds managed organically:
94.72

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:

UVic maintains several large woodland and forested areas, which largely grow wild and are naturalized. Maintenance practices are limited to removing dangerous trees from path systems, invasive species pulls, and native species plantings. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used in the maintenance of these areas.


Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
5.28

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
A brief description of the IPM program:

Facilities Management Grounds department is presently applying the use of an interim Integrated Pest Management plan (2017) that has been approved an auditor. A new IPM specific to the university’s unique ecosystems and surroundings is undergoing development and is in its planning phase.


A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:

Native plants are used in landscaping around all new buildings (LEED Gold standard) and are integrated into gardens in all other areas of campus where appropriate. Invasive plant species such as English Ivy is pulled manually on a regular basis as required, by Grounds staff and by student and community volunteers.


A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:

The university follows a Storm Water Management plan. The SWM plan includes: - Storm water detention practices in new building design and construction
- Use of rain garden technology in landscape design and construction
- Use of green roof technology in building design and construction where practical

The university’s irrigation system includes a computerized weather station which monitors and records precipitation. This live data is processed to regulate water consumption.


A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:

All campus garden waste including grass and tree clippings, are sent to be composted at local facility, Mitchel Brothers Farm. Trees and branches are mulched onsite and are spread on gardens and trails across campus.


A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:

Landscapes around the eight (soon to be nine) LEED buildings on campus are designed to promote energy efficiency of the buildings by providing shade in the summer.


A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:

UVic Grounds and Parking & Transportation units use only rock salt when required for snow and ice removal in very limited amounts due to our mild west coast climate.


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:

UVic has been operating according to our IPM document since 2017. Pesticides are only used when all other options have been considered and confirmed to not be effective under the circumstance. Where application is determined to be necessary, only the least toxic material specific for the target pest is selected at the lowest recommended rate and applied by certified applicator technicians. . During the summer months, watering and grass cuttings are eliminated in parts of campus that are classified as "naturalized areas".

For more information see:
The Stormwater Management Plan: https://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/2004.Integrated.Stormwater.Management.Plan..pdf
The Campus Plan: https://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/Campus-Plan-Update-2015/UVicCampusPlan.01.26.2016reduced.pdf


UVic has been operating according to our IPM document since 2017. Pesticides are only used when all other options have been considered and confirmed to not be effective under the circumstance. Where application is determined to be necessary, only the least toxic material specific for the target pest is selected at the lowest recommended rate and applied by certified applicator technicians. . During the summer months, watering and grass cuttings are eliminated in parts of campus that are classified as "naturalized areas".

For more information see:
The Stormwater Management Plan: https://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/2004.Integrated.Stormwater.Management.Plan..pdf
The Campus Plan: https://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/Campus-Plan-Update-2015/UVicCampusPlan.01.26.2016reduced.pdf

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.