| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.94 |
| Liaison | Scott Morgan |
| Submission Date | Dec. 21, 2023 |
Evergreen State College, The
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.03 / 2.00 |
Emma
Wright Graduate Sustainability Fellow Office of Sustainability |
Total campus area:
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
| Area (double-counting is not allowed) | |
| Area managed organically, without the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides | 3.50 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 1.50 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 285 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 290 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Roughly 703 acres of Evergreen's Olympia campus property is unmanaged forest land that is excluded from the above "managed grounds" total area. An additional 15 acres are subtracted to accommodate for the collective footprint of campus buildings.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
The Organic Farm is Certified Organic by USDA, and has been certified Salmon Safe since 2008. In order for the farm to receive Salmon Safe certification, the farm must demonstrate the following:
-Work diligently to protect riparian areas
-Maintain appropriate water use
-Reduce erosion
-Practice integrated pest management
-Sustainable and ethical animal management
-Biodiversity conservation in accordance with both Salmon Safe and Organic certifications.
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:
The Evergreen State College developed an RFQ in 2021 that required the use of a specific IPM plan, which was implemented in contract with partnered vendor Stop Bugging Me Pest Control.
From the Evergreen Campus Master Plan, Volume 2, page 72:
"The use of chemical herbicides and insecticides has been minimal in campus landscaping. Some chemical biocide applications were permitted in the original establishment of the landscaped vegetation, but use has not been on going. Historically, any proposed biocide use has required the approval of Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator. Any proposals for chemical use in landscaping must be reviewed by the Campus Land Use Committee (CLUC). In all cases of chemical use, the least toxic method should be employed."
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
From the Evergreen Campus Master Plan, Volume 2, page 37:
"13. Site development and landscaping design shall strive to promote awareness and appreciation of the rich variety of environments on campus by emphasizing and enhancing natural features.
"Landscape Plantings
14. The basic concept for all landscape plantings shall be simplicity of expression and compatibility with existing vegetation.
15. Campus Core landscaping shall allow the native forest to penetrate into the Core to some degree while every effort shall be made to create a landscape compatible with the structural quality of the Core. Native trees shall be allowed to remain in defined areas. (Also applies to Policy 6.)
16. Cluster area landscaping shall serve to visually integrate facilities with the surrounding vegetation as much as possible.
17. Landscaping practices in the area of parking lots shall serve to emphasize and preserve existing vegetation to the greatest extent possible.
18. Plantings along roadways shall be compatible with surrounding native vegetation. Roadway approaches to areas of formal plantings will be landscaped in a manner that will visually enhance the transition."
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Located within a commonly wet climate, Evergreen seldom irrigates lawns or athletic fields. Rain water runoff is spread through rain gardens, bio-swales, and natural wetlands.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Yard waste and downed limbs are mulched when intruding into developed space on campus. The mulch is spread along forest boundaries and/or used on forest paths. Downed trees within the developed spaces are relocated as down woody debris within the forest. Downed trees within the forest are left alone.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
A student-originated project replaced a concrete courtyard between dormitories with grass and gardens in 2014.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Snow removal tends to be a necessity only once every two or three years. The grounds crew uses a non-salt de-icer and sand.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Evergreen Campus Master Plan:
https://www.evergreen.edu/policies/campusmasterplan
Evergreen Campus Master Plan:
https://www.evergreen.edu/policies/campusmasterplan
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