| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.91 |
| Liaison | Andy Mitchell |
| Submission Date | July 17, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Illinois Chicago
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 2.00 |
Cynthia
Klein-Banai Associate Chancellor for Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
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 | 45.95 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 | 0.10 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 45.65 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 91.70 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):
The foot print of buildings are hardscapes total the following: Sidewalks/ Misc. Pavement - 25.93 acres, Parking Lots - 56.1 acres, and Buildings - 68 acres.
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:
UIC must utilize Bartlett’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program (“MoniTor”) that is outlined in the 2018 Tree Care Plan (https://uofi.box.com/s/d2n2jdern3d0zbyhjpb7cw6kkqii98d0). This plan dramatically reduces the amount of pesticides used by as much as 90% and optimizes suppression while minimizing the use of pesticides through preventive maintenance and early detection of problems. The MoniTor program consists of scheduled visits to inspect the plants around the property for insects, mites, diseases or cultural problems. Nonchemical interference is given first priority, such as mulching and the release of beneficial insects. If stronger control is needed, the use of horticultural oil, insecticidal soap and several of the synthetic pyrethrums are employed. Chemical control is always the last alternative. UIC must then adhere to the written report of recommendations for follow through including a description of problems, treatments applied, observations of plant conditions.
However, in order to first asses any potential pest issues, a full tree inventory shall be completed by all applicable departments and organizations within UIC. This inventory will be completed by professional arborists, such as Bartlett Tree Experts, and will provide updated care recommendations. With each update of the campus forest inventory, an iTree report will be generated and will serve as a basis for action, such as removals, management, and new plantings. The inventory shall be updated at the discretion of the Tree Advisory and the Superintendent of Grounds to account for dramatic changes in number and/or health of specimens.
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:
The Little Prairie on the Campus transformed a 2,000 square foot area of Kentucky Bluegrass to a pollinator-friendly habitat with over 20 different species of native plants. The prairie is managed by Sustainability Internship Program students, Office of Sustainability staff, and volunteers. Student interns are in charge of hand-weeding and watering the garden throughout the growing season, and therefor, there has never been a need for inorganic fertilizers or chemical pesticides, fungicides or herbicides.
The Heritage Garden is comprised of 8 satellite gardens on the east side of campus that are managed by students interns that work with faculty, staff, and community members to connect horticulture with environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and social justice. Similarly, the Heritage Garden is also managed by students that hand-weed and water. The Heritage Garden explains how to plant organically using companion plants and how to control for pests for all their plants. Here is an expert from their cabbage page, "Cabbages can be planted in companionship with celery, dill, onion, potato, and chamomile. Interspersing clover with cabbages can decrease the prevalence of cabbageworms and native cabbage aphids by increasing the population of predatory ground beetles. Cabbage pests include the cabbage worm, cabbage aphid, cabbage root maggot, cut worm, slug, and nematode. Pay special attention to cabbage worms, which are green caterpillars that can weaken the plants’ fibers as they eat the leaves and burrow into the cabbage’s heads. Spraying neem oil, which acts as a natural insecticide, on the plants can reduce pest infestation." http://heritagegarden.uic.edu/new-page/
The UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden teaches nutrition students the importance of fresh ingredients with 9 raised beds of herbs, vegetables and fruits. Growing, harvesting and preparing the foods will be part of the curriculum in the Introduction to Foods course, open to all UIC students and required for nutrition undergraduates.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Since 2010, UIC's practice has been to install low maintenance, native plants in new renovation/construction campus grounds. The construction of Lincoln Hall (UIC's first LEED Gold certified building), is just one of the latest "green" buildings that have low maintenance, native plant plot with proper drainage surrounding the building. As new buildings/major remodeling projects occur their will be a transition to this kind of landscaping. A prairie garden has been planted across from the UI Medical Center. In addition, the Department of Biological Sciences, Grounds and Maintenance, along with students and student groups have been maintaining a couple of small plots of native plants under the program UIC Seed as a pilot project for future native plant landscaping endeavors. UIC also maintains a satellite 5 acre plot (James Woodworth Prairie) of native prairie grass in Glenview, Illinois.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
UIC's campus is a form of infill development in an urban area. Therefore, there isn't an opportunity to restore or maintain the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
UIC collects all landscaping waste for off-site composting. Typically, 150-200 tons of landscape material is composted annually.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Green roofs have been installed on 3 buildings on the east side and on the recently constructed Mile Square Health Clinic on the west side. Light colored, reflective pavement is used for walkways and light colored, permeable pavement was installed at the Mile Square Health Clinic
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):
UIC's snow and ice removal practice includes the strict adherence to limiting certain chemical compounds to certain areas of the institution's grounds. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is only used on parking lots, while calcium chloride (CaCl2) and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) is used on sidewalks, streets, pavements and other necessary hard surfaces. Both CaCl2 and MgCl2 are much less toxic to plant life surrounding paved surfaces, and is less corrosive to concrete and steel (and other iron alloys) than sodium chloride.
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:
IPM area was calculated using square footage of the campus that is covered under Bartlett Tree Expert's MoniTor program. PDF's of both the campus map covered can be and the UIC Sustainable Tree Plan can be accessed by emailing sustainability@uic.edu. File is too large to upload to STARS.
Heritage Garden information: http://heritagegarden.uic.edu/
IPM area was calculated using square footage of the campus that is covered under Bartlett Tree Expert's MoniTor program. PDF's of both the campus map covered can be and the UIC Sustainable Tree Plan can be accessed by emailing sustainability@uic.edu. File is too large to upload to STARS.
Heritage Garden information: http://heritagegarden.uic.edu/
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.