| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Laurie Kman |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Lewis University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Dwight
DeVries Superintendent of Grounds Facilities |
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 | 214.50 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) | 185.50 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 400 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 land excluded from the area of managed grounds are the footprint of buildings and agricultural land that is not managed by the university.
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 institutions IPM plan includes the decreased usage of chemicals in order to control pests including invasive species. In place of these harsh chemicals, the University has begun the planting of an increased variety of native species and only using chemicals on small areas on the campus green space when required to spot treat areas.
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:
For roads and sidewalks The Ground's Department has been using beet juice instead of traditional salt during the winter months to reduce the amount of chemicals that reside back into our soils and waterways.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Great care and planning is involved when planting species on campus. The Grounds Supervisor is responsible for researching the appropriate types of plants to be used on the one hundred plus acres protected under the Sustainability Landscape Plan. To control invasive species on our nearly 3 mile Burnham Nature Trail, an event is put together each year on Earth Day where students, faculty and staff members gather on the trail to remove the invasive species by hand. Learning the importance of native species they also come back together on Arbor Day to plant native species in the removal area. On the other areas protected under the Sustainable Landscape Plan, native plants are used to choke out invasive species which also reduces the need to water the area and saving another precious resource. The compost is also used in these areas to keep the soil healthy.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Due to the proximity to the habitat recovery conservation zone of the Hines Emerald Dragonfly, Lewis University is committed to storm water management practices. Rain gardens and bioswales can be found in multiple locations on campus, including five parking lots. Three large rain water collection sites are on campus, that water is then used for irrigation purposes. The first collection site holds 2,000 gallons the second holds 1,000 gallons and the final site holds 500 gallons. Native plants are also planted on campus to capture storm water. There is also a large collection base on campus known as The Glen that will hold storm water in order to avoid being sent to a storm drain. The Glen is capable of holding 7,000 gallons in its collection basin.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
An on site landscape organics collection is in place adjacent to our University Greenhouse. Different organic materials are collected and placed in the compost block such as grass clippings and smaller branches and plantings. When larger trees are removed for construction projects or fall during a storm, the tree is then chipped and used as mulch on the Burnham Nature Trail on campus. All of these materials are used to the highest potential and diverted away from the landfill each year. Each spring campus flowers are also grown in the greenhouse, reducing the material needed when growing and transporting flowers to campus from another location.
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 grounds staff uses beet juice as a de-icer around campus during winter months. This is done in order to reduce the amount of salt used on campus protecting the sensitive natural areas around the campus. Liquid beet juice is sprayed in some areas and a granular combination of beet juice and rock salt is used around campus as well.
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:
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.