| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.36 |
| Liaison | Patricia Huynh |
| Submission Date | Dec. 10, 2024 |
University of Waterloo
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.96 / 2.00 |
Patricia
Huynh Sustainability Projects Manager Sustainability 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 | 481 Hectares |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 0 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 10 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 491 Hectares |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
Waterloo has a significant percentage of its landholdings that are managed or maintained by other parties and are not under the direct control of the grounds team, who actively manages Waterloo’s grounds. These include Waterloo’s building footprint, parking lots, service areas, Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo, roadways, walkways, significant portions of Waterloo’s Northwest Campus, which are vacant, large portions of Waterloo’s Environmental Reserve, and privately owned buildings within the Research and Technology Park. In total, these are approximately 645 acres that are not directly managed by the institution or would not be part of the grounds management program
Organic program
If reporting an organic program, provide:
The majority of Waterloo grounds are managed organically without the use of any inorganic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Chemical pesticides/fungicides are only applied to sports fields, which are considered areas with specialized control needs.
The Land Care Standard published in 2023 provides a guiding framework for how the University of Waterloo’s grounds and natural areas are developed and maintained over time (https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainability/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/land-care-standard_final.pdf)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
Optional Fields
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The Laurel Creek winds through Waterloo’s North Campus and South Campus. This natural water source is overseen by the Grand River Conservation Authority. Waterloo has supported rehabilitation efforts by naturalizing the shoreline of the creek, which is also used as a living laboratory for water quality sampling and species identification in academic courses. Waterloo has three permeable pavement sites across campus to promote infiltration, and has eliminated most surface watering with the exception of annual flower planters.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Leaf, grass, and brush clippings are composted on-site using a large windrow. In addition, wood waste from damaged tree limbs, cut-down trees, or untreated wood from skids and pallets are sent through a wood chipper on site and utilized as mulch for campus gardens.
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:
Waterloo’s grounds staff have received Smart About Salt certification, administered by Landscape Ontario. The goal of the certification is to help operators better understand ways to minimize salt use while maintaining safe conditions.
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 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.