Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.57
Liaison Jennifer McMillin
Submission Date June 15, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Cleveland State University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Jennifer McMillin
Director of Sustainability
Facilities l Architect l Safety l Technology
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
85 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 22 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 22 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):

The footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces including parking lots and paved areas are excluded from the calculations for managed grounds.


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

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
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A brief description of the IPM program:

Cleveland State has maintained a comprehensive IPM plan for over twenty years focused on monitoring and identifying pests, setting action thresholds, removing conditions that attract pests, and taking controlled corrective action only when necessary.


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

The Cleveland State University Grounds Department takes full stewardship of the landscape on campus including trees, shrubs, green roofs, perennials and annual plant displays. The team maintains, prunes, evaluates and plans for future plantings. They are currently identifying, mapping and quantifying all the plant material on campus, with a goal of continuously improving the management of our horticultural assets.


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

The Grounds Department is currently collecting baseline data to measure and manage water usage, with a goal of minimizing total consumption. Landscape irrigation is done judiciously and with water conservation strategies in mind.


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

All grounds waste is collected by a contractor for composting off-site. No grass clippings are collected or bagged; grass clippings are discharged onto lawn areas to provide a natural fertilizer for a healthy lawn.


A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:

The Grounds Department uses plant material, when possible, to create shade, block wind and to help reduce the heat island effect. The team works to maintain and increase biomass on campus.


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):

Mechanical means of snow and ice removal are used whenever possible. Chemical deicers are used judiciously to minimize environmental impact. Drop spreaders reduce salt usage by dropping salt straight down instead of spraying it out broadly onto landscapes. The edges of sidewalks are sloped upwards to keep residual deicer from draining onto vegetated areas.

The Grounds Department uses plant material and grass varieties that are best suited to survive and thrive in the urban environment with the stressors of salt, heat, drought, pollution and light pollution. Through pruning and good horticultural practices, they seek to extend the expected life span of trees and plants on campus.

The Office of the University Architects's A/E Guidelines maintain that protection of trees and existing landscaping is paramount throughout the construction process. Contractors are required to consult OUA during the early planning stage of the project concerning site work, excavation, grading, landscaping, removal of trees and shrubs, and access to and from the site.


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:
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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.