| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.82 |
| Liaison | Ashley Woolman |
| Submission Date | May 16, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Western Colorado University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.00 / 2.00 |
Ashley
Woolman Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Services |
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
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 | 0 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) | 117 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 117 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):
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
A copy of the IPM plan or program:
A brief description of the IPM program:
No formal plan has been adopted. Invasive species and pests are managed on a case by case basis as they appear.
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
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:
Western has historically planted lots of cottonwood, spruce, and aspen trees on campus because they are local tree species and plenty of seed is available. Existing trees are protected from construction activities when possible by placing tree protection zones. Invasive species are controlled by weeding and spraying of herbicides. Herbicide use is minimized when possible and generally has to do with controlling dandelions in the spring.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Western has done some stream bank restoration on University property and has installed an area of porous pavement to help water infiltration near the fieldhouse. We recently created a soil retention and water filtration area at the end of a long water drainage on campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Western composts or mulches most of it's organic waste (grass clippings, tree leaves, tree limbs, dead plants/shrubs) and chips up tree stems. We have land set aside behind Facilities to compost and mulch these items.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
We have planted many shade trees along major roads and sidewalks through campus to help reduce urban heat island effects.
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):
Snow removal is a large part of our operations during the winter in Gunnison. We receive up to a foot of snow or more a year and temperatures often reach -20 degrees F. Crews use sand whenever possible and limit the use of salt. Roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are plowed by Western trucks as efficiently as possible. For lighter snows, a bobcat with a brush is often used to clear pathways. Student workers with hand tools often chip up ice in various places rather than using heavy machinery on sidewalks and stairs.
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.