| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.04 |
| Liaison | Larry Cook |
| Submission Date | Feb. 29, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of South Carolina
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Namita
Koppa Assistant Director for Program Management Office of Sustainability |
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 446 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 287 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 | 159 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 have decreased our use of inorganic fertilizers to zero except in some cases on the athletic fields. These grounds areas are maintained by contractors for athletics and campus recreation.
On the general campus grounds we use cultural practices to eliminate insect or disease problems such as pruning and tipping back plant parts that are infested. We also select plants that are resistance to common pests problems to reduce the populations to begin with.
Our two pest control technicians are conservative in their use of chemicals and use them as a last resort and only when economic thresholds are exceeded. This means that we will only use chemical pest control measures when infestation levels threaten plant health. We do not use “preventative” spray programs except, on occasion when we may use pre-emerge herbicides in turfgrass areas but it is minimal.
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
The University employs a practice of using native plants and vegetation whenever possible on campus.
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
Leaves and yard waste from groundskeeping are given one of two different compost operations on campus.
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
Snow and Ice removal practices: Majority of material is a sand product, under sever ice conditions, a salt melt product may be used for student and pedestrian safety.
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.