| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.18 |
| Liaison | Ezra Small |
| Submission Date | Feb. 5, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Massachusetts Amherst
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.00 / 2.00 |
Ezra
Small Sustainability Manager Physical Plant |
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 3,326 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 82.50 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 2,316 Acres |
Area of managed grounds that is::
| Area | |
| Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan | 0 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:
The IPM plan :
We do not have a formalized IPM program. This is being developed in 2015.
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
This is being developed in 2015.
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
UMass Landscape Management has put together a palate of native plants that are not only native but resistant to drought. When new projects arises we choose from that palate. Each new construction project on campus meets at least a LEED Silver rating and the Green Building Guidelines for UMass have identified the "Water Efficient Landscaping" credit as "High Priority" and "easy Feasibility" for UMass to pursue.
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
We compost the waste from grounds keeping on campus. We then use that compost around campus in other grounds keeping projects.
In FY2014, UMass Office of Waste Management and Landscape Services composted 300 tons of yard waste and leaves
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
We have an acre test plot managed organically. NOT third party certified and/or protected. Don’t have organic soils on campus.
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
We minimize use of fertilizer and chemical application to lawn when we can choose environmentally preferable materials.
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
Installation of multiple (four) rain garden on campus to collect the water run off.
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
Here at UMass we use a product that consists of biproduct of materials from distilleries to melt the salt on our side walks. This allows us to avoid using harsh chemicals to defrost our sidewalks. See notes section for product specs..
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
The two main forests are:
1. Mt. Toby Demonstration Forest: It was acquired in 1916 and consists of 755 acres.
2. Cadwell Memorial Forest: It was acquired in 1952 and consists of 1171 acres.
These two forests are listed under Article 97 Legislation of Massachusetts, which requires that the land is for open space, conservation, and environmental education and environmental research and other related natural resource purposes consistent with Article 97. This also means that the land of these two forests cannot be used for any other purposes, unless Massachusetts legislation changes the use of the land.
Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
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:
Pam Monn and her Landscape Management staff are in the process of developing an IPM Plan for the campus grounds. This credit will be updated in 2016.
Protected lands information comes form Paige Warren, professor in Wildlife Conservation. 1,926 acres of the total campus area includes the two protected forest areas that are NOT on the main campus property, they are properties owned by UMass and are used as demonstration and research forests in nearby towns.
Pam Monn and her Landscape Management staff are in the process of developing an IPM Plan for the campus grounds. This credit will be updated in 2016.
Protected lands information comes form Paige Warren, professor in Wildlife Conservation. 1,926 acres of the total campus area includes the two protected forest areas that are NOT on the main campus property, they are properties owned by UMass and are used as demonstration and research forests in nearby towns.
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.