| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 39.47 |
| Liaison | Kirk Hemphill |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Florida Institute of Technology
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.56 / 2.00 |
Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
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 | 100 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) | 77 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 177 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):
Approximately 62 acres accounts for wild jungle space and campus building footprints. The jungle space is protected wetlands from the St. Johns Water Management District. along the eastern coast of Florida.
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:
Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an organic program:
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:
Florida Tech prioritizes the use of native, adapted, low-maintenance, and non-invasive plant species in landscape design and replacement. All pest management, with the exception of Athletics and Intramural Recreation fields, is directed by the Florida Tech Horticulturist and Manager of Grounds (“Grounds Manager”). Grounds are maintained in accordance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that adhere to the four-tiered approach: http://www.facilities.fit.edu/documents/FIT-4TierIPM.pdf. The Grounds Manager is responsible for setting action thresholds and will recommend plant replacement in situations where plant material is likely to attract pests. When controls are used, organic controls are preferred.
Additionally, Florida Tech has committed to using only all natural, bio-based and environmentally friendly products for a turf fertilization program. Facilities Operations have converted their main campus turf fertilization needs specifically to a liquid product, BioGreen. In an effort to assist in reducing the amount of nutrient pollutants that travel into the Florida waterways the university has now shifted to the BioGreen line of fertilizers at the satellite locations. Information on this product can be found here: http://www.floridabiogreen.com/ and the university's program reflects the exclusive use of this product in the turf care program.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
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):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data sourced from the Grounds Manager located within the university's Facilities Operations Department.
Data sourced from the Grounds Manager located within the university's Facilities Operations Department.
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.