Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.88
Liaison Dedee DeLongpre Johnston
Submission Date June 3, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Wake Forest University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.42 / 2.00 Jim Coffey
Sr. Director, Support Services
Facilities & Campus Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 686 Acres
+ Date Revised: July 31, 2015
Footprint of the institution's buildings 39.90 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 0 Acres
+ Date Revised: July 31, 2015
+ Date Revised: July 31, 2015

Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 0 Acres
Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined 610.10 Acres
+ Date Revised: July 31, 2015
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 0 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
The IPM plan :
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A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:

The university employs an integrated pest management system in all landscaping performed on the Reynolda Campus. A healthy sustainable landscape is dependent upon choosing the right plant for the site. The Landscaping Services department strives to use improved cultivars, disease resistant varieties and proven species whenever possible. Several cultural practices are implemented in a successful IPM program. Soil is amended to promote healthy vigorous plants. Mulches are used to suppress weeds, insulate the soil and regulate moisture.

Turf is mowed at regular intervals at the proper height and fertilized per North Carolina Department of Agriculture recommendations. Proper pruning is practiced on all trees and shrubs in accordance with the specifications outlined in the Campus Tree Care Plan. A wide variety of species including many native plants are planted not only for visual interest but for genetic diversity. Older, more disease prone varieties are gradually removed and replaced with disease and insect resistant varieties.

In 2010, the university employed a local goatscaping company, Piedmont Goatscapers, to help fight a kudzu and English ivy infestation in a wooded area of campus without the use of harmful chemicals and damaging heavy equipment.


A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:

The university features both native and non-native species in landscaping. Approximately 85 percent of plantings are native species in all new landscaping. All plantings are within hardiness zone 7.

As time and resources permit invasive species are removed either by pulling, digging or chemical means. Several student groups have assisted in removing English Ivy by hand pulling.

Tree assessments are done on new building sites prior to final plans to identity important trees to save.


A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:

Facilities Management uses all wood chips from landscaping projects as mulch for projects around campus or as part of a compost mixture. The university's abundant leaves are donated to local organic gardens such as the Second Harvest Food Bank garden at the Children's Home Inc. for use as compost in their extensive gardens because of the lack of a large-scale composting site on the internal core of Reynolda Campus. These donated leaves travel only 2.4 miles to their final destination and the university does not pay for any removal of urban yard waste. Leaves have also been used in the Campus Garden to enrich the compost.


A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:

In 2015 we began using bio-activated carbon or biochar as a soil amendment. This was spread over the lawns at Dogwood and Magnolia residence halls, North Campus Dining and Farrell Hall and incorporated into the renovated landscape at Wait Chapel. Biochar helps improve soil structure and promotes healthy biology and mychorizae. All new plantings are amended with compost and or organic amendments. Hollytone is used as a organic fertilizer in new plantings.


A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:

All organic mulches and the biochar used on campus in produced in state. Our fertilizer vendor/manufacturer is located within 2 miles of campus. We routinely reuse granite pavers salvaged from University Corporate Center for building patios and walkways on campus and other univesity owned property. Boulders exposed during excavations are saved for use in the landscape. Most nursery purchases come from less than 1.5 hours from campus.


A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:

Several lawn areas have been converted to more natural woodland plantings with leaf litter and wood chips as a groundcover. Natural swales are encouraged over piping whenever possible. These are generally planted with attractive native plants. A number of attractive dry or faux streams have been installed with a great deal of native plant diversity used in and around these areas. A rain garden at Winston Hall features recylced concrete drip zone to buffer leachate from the copper roof. In an ongoing process invasive plants are being removed along Silas Creek and being replaced with native plants.


A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):

Bare-Ground Liquid De-Icer a plant friendly product is used on highly sensitive areas. Brining streets before storms reduces labor and subesequent salt treatments. New snow RTV and mower mounted plows helps to remove the bulk of snow and ice in a timely manner which reduces refreezing and therefore salt use.


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

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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