| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.49 |
| Liaison | Caitlin McLennan |
| Submission Date | Nov. 1, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Utah State University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.06 / 2.00 |
Shane
Richards Manager Facilities Landscape Operations |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
190.20
Hectares
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 | 178.06 Hectares |
| 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 | 12.14 Hectares |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 0 Hectares |
| Total area of managed grounds | 190.20 Hectares |
If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
93.62
If reporting an IPM program, provide:
A brief description of the IPM program:
The IPM Plan outlines the procedures to be followed to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors from pests and pesticide hazards while maintaining tolerable pest pressure within USU buildings.
USU IPM Policy Objectives:
• Elimination of significant threats caused by pests to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the public.
• Prevention of loss or damage to structures or property by pests.
• Protection of environmental quality outside buildings.
• Improve indoor air quality and health by minimizing pesticide use indoors
• Outline a plan of action for response to pest sightings and complaints
• Develop and pest monitoring and control program ensuring the safety and health of students, faculty, staff, and the public
• Prevent loss or damage to structures or property by pests
• Ensure the sustainability of the facilities IPM Program
• Establish standards for safe pesticide storage and record keeping
• Outline pest tolerance thresholds
USU’s IPM Plan also incorporates voluntary compliance with the regulations promulgated by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food for pesticide use and licensing of pesticide applicators.
Organic Program
6.38
If reporting an organic program, provide:
Due to some people that are sensitive to chemicals we have about 30 acres of the 470 that are maintained with only organic compounds.
• We use an iron product called “Fiesta” to kill weeds.
• Neem’s oil is used to take care of insects and fungi.
• We top dress with bio-mulch (composted leaves, and animal waste) and/or use humus products to fertilize turf.
Optional Fields
The university uses native plants where appropriate for design and use. Native plants are strongly encouraged as well as many species of water-wise plants that are not native. Landscape operations and maintenance also focuses on grouping plantings based upon water needs to minimize water applied. USU is the home of 13 state champion trees and 28 legacy trees.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
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A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Most green-waste is collected and composted for use on campus. Woody branches from pruning are chipped and used for mulch on landscapes or composted with green waste for food waste.
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):
In spring 2012, USU added a sugar beet byproduct solution to the snow melt rock salt in amounts up to 50-60%.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The acreage only includes cultivated grounds.
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.