Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 75.35
Liaison Megan Litke
Submission Date March 30, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

American University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 2.00 Mark Feist
Assistant Director Grounds, Vehicle Maintenance & Support Services
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 84 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 13 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 0 Acres

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 71 Acres
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:

AU manages the landscape immediately surrounding the SIS building using guidelines from the SITES pilot project.


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

AU primarily uses native and adaptive plants on campus grounds.


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

AU partners with Recycled Green to collect, compost, and return 100% of AU’s yard waste and apply it as an organic fertilizer on campus grounds.


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

Organic Topsoil and compost is utilized to encourage healthy soils. Erosion control practices are followed during construction projects.


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

AU utilizes permeable paving when possible. We also use locally sourced, organic compost top-soil and mulch from a local composting facility in Maryland. Edibles, perennials, and natives are planted whenever possible. Gator bags are used for trees to maximize the efficient use of potable water.


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

American University has a variety of stormwater management features including green roofs, stormwater retention ponds, and rain gardens. Rainwater is collected on the roof of the School of International Service building and is filtered in the cistern and reused for toilet flushing. Irrigation is run on an automated system that is connected to the weather station on campus to reduce potable water use for irrigation. Rainwater is also collected in a cistern in Cassell as well and is used for irrigation.


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

Hand shoveling and brush-sweeping equipment is used. Magnesium chloride (MgCl) is used as a deicer alternative to NaCl on walkways and stairs. AU is also looking at other alternatives to find the most environmentally friendly road salt, such as possibly Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA).


A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:

AU’s campus is a Certified Wildlife Habitat from the National Wildlife Foundation. The School of International Service achieved a 2 star certification for the Sustainable Sites Initiative.


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:

American University does not exclusively manage organically, through a third party and/or protected although we incorporate organic practices using organic fertilizers, composting, IPM and expansion of the campus tree canopy (carbon sequestration).


American University does not exclusively manage organically, through a third party and/or protected although we incorporate organic practices using organic fertilizers, composting, IPM and expansion of the campus tree canopy (carbon sequestration).

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.