Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 75.65
Liaison Maddie LoDico
Submission Date Dec. 12, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Colby College
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Dale DeBlois
Project Manager
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 714 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 13.25 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 0 Acres
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 700.25 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :

Colby's Physical Plant Department (PPD) has maintained a sustainable IPM (Integrated Pest Management) since 2009, which is inclusive of the campus and arboretum. However, the entire 714 acre campus, less the acreage of the built environment, is a state wildlife management area and thus protected. This includes the 128 acre Perkins Arboretum and the 34 acre Colby-Marston Preserve, which was given to Colby by The Nature Conservancy for its high biodiversity value and also is labeled a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.


A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:

Aside from using IPM on the entire campus, we use native and naturalized species, which require little to no irrigation or pesticides.


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

Colby prioritizes the use of native plant species in landscaping. The College also employs a scouting provision in its IPM plan in order to identify and remove invasive species - particularly those prominent in the Arboretum and natural areas.


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

Colby collects grass clippings and leaves, composts them onsite, then uses them for fertilizer in community gardens.


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

N/A


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

Colby now only uses native and naturalized species across our campus. As described above, compost for the community garden comes from landscaping waste collected from campus. Finally, any trees that are cut down, are chipped, and used on campus walking trails.


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

Colby is a rural campus and we strive to leave the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus unaltered. We also understand our proximity to local waterways, and have instituted a robust stormwater management program that aims to clean any stormwater from campus before entering nearby waterways.


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

Colby uses "Magic Salt", an environmentally friendly alternative to rock salt, to melt ice from walkways and roadways when necessary. Colby uses a melting agent as a last option for snow and ice removal.


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

The entire 714 acre campus, less the acreage of the built environment, is a state wildlife management area. This includes the 128 acre Perkins Arboretum and the 34 acre Colby-Marston Preserve, which was given to Colby by The Nature Conservancy for its high biodiversity value and also is labeled a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.


Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No

The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
http://www.colby.edu/green/buildings/operations/
+ Date Revised: Jan. 5, 2015

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.