Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Debra Shepard
Submission Date March 6, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Wentworth Institute of Technology
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Debra Shepard
Sustainability Consultant
N/A
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
31 Acres

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 3.80 Acres
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 0 Acres
Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) 0 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 3.80 Acres

A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds (e.g. the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces, experimental agricultural land, areas that are not regularly managed or maintained):

Hardscape such as roadways and walkways, as well as building footprints have been excluded from the total area of managed grounds. Wentworth is located in a densely developed urban location so landscaping is limited. Several recent construction projects have incorporated bioswales, native and adaptive plantings, limited irrigation only where needed, and shade trees to reduce heat island effect and promote a greener, more resilient campus landscape.


Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
100

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
---

A brief description of the IPM program:

Physical Plant retains the services of a professional pest management company to routinely monitor the buildings and grounds for signs of pests and address any reports of pest activity. Guidance to deter pests is provided for the community on the Physical Plant website. The IPM plan was reviewed and updated in 2018 to meet LEED for Existing Buildings criteria.


Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
0

A brief description of the organic land standard or landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials:
---

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

Native and adaptive plants are chosen for landscape applications whenever feasible. Recent projects have added trees and plantings to areas formerly covered with impervious surfaces, to improve aesthetics, reduce runoff, and reduce heat island effect.


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

Wentworth is located in an area of Boston which is highly sensitive to changes in groundwater levels. Wentworth promotes infiltration of rainwater through numerous groundwater recharge systems installed throughout the campus and in conjunction with new construction projects. Select areas now also have bioswales and permeable pavers. Recent new construction projects have followed LEED guidelines to emphasize the preservation of green space, promote groundwater infiltration, and select plantings and irrigation systems that reduce water consumption.


A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):

Grass clippings and other organic matter from landscaping are collected for off-site composting.


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 (e.g. use of environmentally preferable landscaping materials, initiatives to reduce the impacts of ice and snow removal, wildfire prevention):
---

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.