Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.41
Liaison Jeremy King
Submission Date March 23, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Denison University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 2.00 Jeremy King
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Office of the President
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 755 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 15 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 150 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 590 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:

Denison strives to reduce the environmental impact of its landscaping in a number of ways. For all campus plantings, native species are given priority both for their natural adaptation to the local climate as well as their general hardiness. Invasive species are never planted and the college is committed to removing any species deemed to be exotic, invasive, or nuisance.

The college has implemented a number of no-mow areas across campus to increase habitat and decrease time and resources spent mowing.

Plantings and natural areas are designed to limit and/or eliminate the need for irrigation and fertilizer application.

The college does mulch many of its landscaped beds annually, but is moving towards more beds with stone and gravel substrate which reduces maintenance time and weed growth.

+ Date Revised: April 19, 2016

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

Denison’s campus grounds are often used as a teaching lab, thus the diversity of native species is important. A desired native species list does exist and is used for most plantings. When necessary to satisfy needs based on site orientation, drainage, soil condition, serviceability and use - non-native and cultivars may be planted instead of native species. Known "undesirable" and/or invasive species are not considered in planting plans.


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

Denison composts and mulches 100% of its waste generated from grounds keeping activities. Grass clippings are typically mulched as part of the mowing process or are left on mowed areas.


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

Denison has an integrated pest management plan that limits the use of herbicides and pesticides. As a standard, we do not apply these items over broad areas. When we identify problem areas that can't be solved by organic means we do spot spray.

The college is also testing the use of organic herbicides (vinegar based) in some locations and the results to date have been positive.

Denison composts its food waste and this compost is used on campus for our community garden and some of our landscaped beds.

+ Date Revised: April 19, 2016

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

Denison sources its mulch from a local company that grinds up old wood pallets and brush/branches from local curbside removal programs.

Gravel and stone used in beds come from a local quarry five miles from campus.

The college utilizes compost generated from campus dining operations in a number of locations across campus.

Facilities stores old pavers, bricks, blocks, and stones in a storage area called "the boneyard" and these are often redeployed in other areas across campus as part of new landscaping projects.

+ Date Revised: April 19, 2016

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

The majority of campus is located on top of a hill as such, Denison maintains a number of bioswales and storm water retention areas across campus that help to reduce erosion and sedimentation in local streams and rivers.

Nearly all hillsides are either forested or designated as no-mow areas to further protect the natural hydrology and permit more water to recharge groundwater aquifers.

Building projects, roads, and sidewalks are intentionally designed to limit disturbances to natural drainage areas and natural water features (springs, streams, etc.).

+ Date Revised: April 19, 2016

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

Denison uses mechanical means of snow removal whenever possible and limits its use of chemicals. When chemicals are used, Denison uses a product called Safe Step which is recognized as an industry leader in eco-friendly snow & ice removal.


A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
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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:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Denison's main campus including buildings and sports fields/courts is 240 acres.

Denison has a 365 acre biological reserve

Denison has 150 acres of agricultural land

Denison now owns a 148 acre golf course that is not adjacent to campus and has not been included in any of the calculations above.

Denison has 26 acres of rentals and other commercial property that also have not been included in any of the calculations above.

Denison maintains an internal password protected website where most of this information resides. Public access web pages have limited information on this topic.


Denison's main campus including buildings and sports fields/courts is 240 acres.

Denison has a 365 acre biological reserve

Denison has 150 acres of agricultural land

Denison now owns a 148 acre golf course that is not adjacent to campus and has not been included in any of the calculations above.

Denison has 26 acres of rentals and other commercial property that also have not been included in any of the calculations above.

Denison maintains an internal password protected website where most of this information resides. Public access web pages have limited information on this topic.

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.