| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.40 |
| Liaison | Morgan Hartman |
| Submission Date | Feb. 26, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 2.00 |
Eileen
Bergt Director Landscape Services |
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 617 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 124 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 | 0 Acres |
| Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined | 493 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 0 Acres |
A copy of the IPM plan:
The IPM plan :
Landscape Services constantly monitor insects, diseases, weeds, etc., and only applies pesticides if necessary. They use additional control measures, such as cultural practices, using resistant varieties of plants, biological control, mechanical control, rotating plants in certain beds, etc. In many situations certain levels of insects or diseases can be tolerated. Chemicals are only applied when the health or life of the plant becomes endangered and other practices haven't been helpful in controlling the problem. They do not apply preventative chemicals like many lawn care companies do, unless perennial problems exist with certain insects, diseases or weeds. Each situation is evaluated and the campus manager makes the final decision if pesticides are to be applied.
Less toxic chemicals are used each year and they constantly seek to improve hazardous chemicals to use in each situation. All federal, state and local regulations are strictly followed when any pesticides are applied. Signs are always used on turf areas where insecticides have been applied to warn people not to be in these areas until they are dry.
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
-UNL plants trees on campus around buildings to reduce cooling costs.
-UNL planted an acre site with trees and shrubs to create a carbon sink demonstration area on east campus.
-The landscape (green spaces and trees) is designed to reduce urban heat-island effects. Utilizing low maintenance and low-water use plants in planting areas with no automatic irrigation and drought tolerant turf grass.
-UNL uses native and adaptive species on all campus landscape projects.
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
UNL uses a large number of native and drought tolerant shrubs and plants on campus for campus landscaping.
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
Grass clippings and leaves are mulched by Landscape Services' Mulching Mowers, leaving them on site to decompose and enrich the soil.
Pruning, removed trees, and shrubs are ground into mulch to be redistributed throughout UNL's campus.
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
Yard waste is composted and then reapplied to build up soil quality.
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
UNL Landscaping Services purchases makes environmentally preferable materials a priority. Sustainable purchasing practices are reflected in the equipment, site accessories, and any consumables purchased by the department.
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
UNL completed a $2.3 million project to restore Dead Man's Run, a waterway from North 48th Street to near North 42nd Street, and a tributary that parallels the west side of North 48th Street from Holdrege Street to its confluence with Dead Man's Run.
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
Landscape Services responds to inclement winter weather with a fleet of equipment & supplies to keep campus operating in a a safe environment.
Of these supplies, Landscape Services limits its materials using primarily liquid & granular Magnesium Chloride, which is an environmentally friendly ice removal product.
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
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:
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.