Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.99
Liaison Megan Butler
Submission Date July 18, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Macalester College
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Jerry Nelson
Grounds 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 53 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 32 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 21 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 0 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :

It is Macalester College’s policy to use pesticides only after pests have been properly identified, the population exceeds tolerance thresholds, all possible treatment methods have been investigated and evaluated, and cultural, biological, and mechanical controls have been determined to be ineffective against the particular pest. Preventative measures are favored in all cases and particularly taken into account when designing new perennial plantings at which time pest resistant varieties can be selected. Additionally, as increasing tolerance levels and action thresholds is often the most sustainable option in the case of many low-risk pests, such as broad leaf weeds, the college strives to balance sustainable pest management with the campus aesthetic by educating students, faculty, staff, and visitors about IPM.


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

A sustainable landscaping master plan was developed in 2011 that comprehensively addresses the sustainability and aesthetics of the campus grounds.


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

Native plant programs —which require less water and fertilizer—are included in the campus prairie, campus raingarden, and Markim Hall landscaping. Native plants are also considered in the 2011 Sustainable Landscape Plan.


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

The Grounds Department does not pick up any grass clippings, these stay on the turf or are returned to the soil with mulching lawn mowers. All other grounds keeping waste is composted off-site.


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

Macalester does not have any particular plans in this area.


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

Macalester does not have any particular plans in this area.


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

The sustainability plan includes a goal of infiltrating the first inch of precipitation campus wide.


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

Grounds staff and students received training in river-friendly snow and ice removal via Minnesota Pollution Control agency video.


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

The Katherine Ordway Natural History Area has a conservation easement.


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:
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.