| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.03 |
| Liaison | Mark Lichtenstein |
| Submission Date | June 7, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Chuck
Carpenter Supervisor of Grounds Physical Plant |
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 | 70 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) | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 70 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):
- includes main campus and "managed grounds" on ESF's regional campuses and field stations ( http://www.esf.edu/campuses/ )
- excludes building footprint, and impervious surfaces
- excluded, forested areas on ESF's regional campuses and field stations. Similar to the criteria for "experimental agriculture land", these areas are comprised in large part of experimental forest land, and land that is not regularly managed or maintained from the area of managed grounds. Used for either forestry research or for un-managed conservation.
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:
ESF minimizes the exposure of campus members and visitors to toxic chemicals that may be used in the control of animal, insect, and vegetation pests. ESF prohibits the use of toxic chemicals whenever options for alternate means of control are available. Animal pest control includes trap and release, physical deterrents (nix-a-lite, bird netting, and ultrasonic harassment), products with natural deterrents (borax and soap sprays), and integrated pest management techniques. Plant pest control includes hand weeding, water/light deprivation, and integrated pest management techniques. The College does not use fertilizer unless necessary. Organic fertilizers are used in lieu of chemical fertilizers whenever possible.
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:
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
ESF’s Native Plant Policy:
“Only plant species native or naturalized to New York State and/or the northeast United States will be planted in the future on the SUNY ESF campus. New plantings as well as replacement plantings shall be selected from those species identified in Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation (Leopold D.J. 2005. Timber Press, Portland, OR) or. Trees of New York. Native and Naturalized (Leopold, D.J. 2003 Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY).”
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):
ESF’s Landscaping Policy:
“Landscape waste will not be sent to landfills. Landscape waste will be returned to the environment to decompose naturally. Areas are set aside at SUNY ESF’s Experimental Field Station (Lafayette Rd., Syracuse) and at the Syracuse University (SU) South Campus location for this purpose. SUNY ESF, with the permission of Syracuse University’s Grounds Manager, may utilize SU’s disposal site. Landscape waste that is not suitable for these locations may be transported to a public composting site operated by the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA). Lawn clippings will generally be left in place on lawns to decompose and naturally fertilize those areas. Landscape waste will be used to mulch campus planting beds in lieu of being moved to off-site locations for decomposition, whenever possible.”
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
No-Mow zones, green roofs, trees/shading
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):
ESF’s Snow Removal Policy:
“Snow-melting chemicals shall not be used as a replacement to physical removal of snow by shoveling and/or sweeping. Wherever possible surfaces will be exposed to the sun to aid in natural snow melting and evaporation. Snow-melting chemicals shall be used only when necessary to ensure the safety of campus and building users to prevent the build-up of ice on exterior streets, walkways, and stairway surfaces. Snow-melting chemicals will be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ application instructions in quantities only adequate to make them effective. Chemicals used will be selected to limit their impact upon the environment as well as upon constructed surfaces. Preference will be given to those chemicals identified as least toxic to vegetation.”
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:
- ESF has included all paved surfaces under "building footprint," so that the total main campus area minus paved surfaces equals grounds (managed vegetated areas).
- ESF's ~ 25,000 acres of satellite forest properties were excluded, given their use as either intensive forestry research or for un-managed conservation.
- Breakdown of "managed grounds" area, per campus property:
-- Main campus: 6.8 acres
--Lafayette Road: 4.6 acres
--Tully: 20.1 acres
--Heiberg: 19.8 acres
--TIBS: 0.3 acres
--Wanakena: 6.4 acres
--Cranberry lake: 2.3 acres
--Huntington: 2.5 acres
--Pack: 7.1 acres
TOTAL: ~70 acres
- ESF has included all paved surfaces under "building footprint," so that the total main campus area minus paved surfaces equals grounds (managed vegetated areas).
- ESF's ~ 25,000 acres of satellite forest properties were excluded, given their use as either intensive forestry research or for un-managed conservation.
- Breakdown of "managed grounds" area, per campus property:
-- Main campus: 6.8 acres
--Lafayette Road: 4.6 acres
--Tully: 20.1 acres
--Heiberg: 19.8 acres
--TIBS: 0.3 acres
--Wanakena: 6.4 acres
--Cranberry lake: 2.3 acres
--Huntington: 2.5 acres
--Pack: 7.1 acres
TOTAL: ~70 acres
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.