| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.07 |
| Liaison | Michael Chapman |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
Nova Scotia Community College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.81 / 2.00 |
Martha
MacGowan Project Assistant- Sustainability Facilities & Engineering |
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 | 416.11 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 84.06 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 5 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 505.17 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Building footprint (63.85 acres) as well as undeveloped land (20.21 acres) have been excluded from the area of managed grounds.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
NSCC campuses do not use pesticides or fertilizers.
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:
All NSCC campuses have a contract with Orkin Canada pest control services. Orkin Canada's services include a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program. In this program Orkin follows a tiered pest management plan as follows:
1. A floor-level inspection of the facility, covering all five pest-activity zones: entry points, water sources, food sources, harborage points and employee areas.
2. An analysis of the layout of the facility, noting all potential problem areas, both inside and out.
3. Accurate pest identification, including identification of different kinds of pests as well as various growth stages.
4. A sanitation consultation at each visit to help staff keep key areas of the facility clean and unattractive to pests.
5. A treatment strategy that centers on a commitment to IPM. This means that Orkin Canada uses the least-invasive and least-hazardous method for effective control.
6. A customized treatment program to address any immediate pest problem.
7. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance, with treatments adjusted accordingly to maximum effectiveness. Each visit includes a written Service Report.
In this system Orkin implements the four-tiered approach:
1. Set Action thresholds: Orkin conducts monthly inspections of NSCC campuses to determine if set action thresholds are exceeded and if there is an infestation problem.
2. Monitor and Identify Pests: By conducting a monthly visit, Orkin can better monitor and identify pests in order to make the appropriate control decisions in accordance with action thresholds.
3. Prevention: Orkin has a variety of tactics to prevent pest infestations. One example is the Perimeter Defence System. In this system live traps are set around the exterior of the building to trap rodents before entering the building. Orkin recommends various prevention techniques for NSCC to follow. Some of these techniques include: cleaning and sanitizing all areas attractive to pest, properly sealing cracks and crevices and using live traps and glue traps for constant monitoring.
4. Control- NSCC does not use pesticides or herbicides for pest control or landscaping. Orkin states that pesticides are only used if and when non-chemical methods have been ineffective. Mechanical methods are utilized first when a pest infestation has been identified.
https://www.orkincanada.ca/commercial/services/
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
At every NSCC campus it is standard practice to prioritize native plants in landscaping. Other than when plants are being established, there is no regular irrigation required at any of the NSCC campuses. This is a mandatory requirement under NSCC's BOMABEST certification. Natural habitats are protected and restored where possible. Only native species will be added when selecting new plants. Non-native invasive species are removed if present on-site.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Other than when plants are getting established, there is no regular irrigation required at any of the NSCC campuses. This has been a requirement under NSCC's BOMABEST certification since 2008. Wherever possible, campus design and operations support natural hydrology. Some examples include:
The Ivany and Lunenburg Campuses have bioswales to absorb and naturally filter surface runoff. All campuses are landscaped with native vegetation, thus do not require irrigation
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
NSCC keeps the grass cuttings on the lawn to keep the grass healthy. All other landscaping waste is removed and properly composted and mulched by the hired landscaping company. Many campuses also have onsite composting areas where clippings, leaves and other materials are composted and reused.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
NSCC chooses native vegetation thus reducing irrigation requirements and other energy intensive maintenance. A reflective white roof as well as a green roof has been installed at the Ivany Campus in Dartmouth. Marconi Campus in Sydney also has a white roof. In addition, every year the Annapolis Valley Campus arrange for tree planting days on Campus.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
NSCC's procurement policy states that all purchases including those for landscaping must meet industry recognized certifications for environmental performance. Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Infrastructure (GI) strategies are the preferred landscaping strategies at NSCC and are used on all new construction projects when possible.
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:
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.