Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.80
Liaison Daniela Beall
Submission Date Sept. 29, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
OP-10: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.44 / 2.00 Michael Vanlanen
Ground Supervisor
Facilities Management & Planning
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
Area
Total campus area 680 Acres
Footprint of the institution's buildings 31 Acres
Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas 50 Acres

Area of managed grounds that is::
Area
Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 250 Acres
Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined 20 Acres
Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected 290 Acres

A copy of the IPM plan:
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The IPM plan :

The grounds staff consists of 6 fulltime employees. All of them maintain a Wisconsin Pesticide applicators license in turf and landscape and have a landscape background or college degree in horticulture. They are familiar with turf, woody shrubs, annual and perennial flowers and trees. All are trained to monitor and identify problems on the campus grounds in manicured landscape or natural areas (290 acre arboretum). Any problems identified are discussed as a team prior to action being taken. Some items included in the IPM plans that helps maintain best environmental practices: Knowledge of plant species which allow best care and maintenance practices in turf and landscape areas to maintain health; Use of new state-of-the-art computerized sprayer when pesticides are applied; Use of chemicals and pesticides with lower environmental impact when pesticides are needed; Use of chemicals and pesticides with lower environmenal impact when pestices are needed; Rotation of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides to reduce resistance; Application of phosphorus-free fertilizer to keep turf areas healthy; Have implemented a Nutrient Management System Plan on landscape turf and athletic field areas with soil test every 5 years; Use of best cultural practices available, by staying current with new technology that becomes available to keep us sustainable and environmentally friendly; Keep close contact with County Extension office to keep up to date on any pest outbreaks in our area as well as information on hardy, disease resistance plant species.


A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:

UW-Green Bay has an abundance of green space and natural areas as part of campus and in fact, "trees" is one of the three "T"'s that is promoted to students - tunnels (connecting all the academic buildings), toilets (all housing units have bathrooms for each room/suite/apartment), and trees. An impressive accomplishment since 50 years ago, the majority of the campus property was a farm field. As part of maintaining a long connection to the natural environment, sustainability is considered in landscape management decisions at the committee level (Biodiversity, Arboretum, Facilities Planning, and Student Government).


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 Grounds Department works closely with the Biodiversity Committee on campus to gather input on the best native species of trees and shrubs to use. We maintain a small tree nursery on campus with suggested native varieties of trees that are use in campus plantings. The species are very diversified to increase tree survival. When ordering woody shrubs and flowers, only local nurseries are used to ensure hardiness of plants in our growing region.


A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:

UW - Green Bay composts tree and grass trimmings that are not mulched directly back into the landscape. Yard waste comes from campus grounds only, not the natural areas owned/managed by the University.


A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:

When turf areas on campus are mowed, the cuttings are mulched back into the soil. Organic compost is added to formal planted areas on campus, as needed.


A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:

Materials used in landscaping such as mulch or soil additions (compost, if needed) are locally sourced. The most environmentally benign materials are targeted for use on managed campus areas.


A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:

The campus maintains a stormwater management plan that meets or exceeds all state and federal guidelines. A variety of managed landscapes such as bioswales and retention pond helps slow and clean runoff from hardscape surfaces on campus.


A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):

Snow and ice are a given in Green Bay. The Grounds department uses a variety of equipment and techniques for snow and ice control, allowing the best choice of options to tackle the given snow/ice accumulation in the most cost effective and environmentally friendly manner possible. Modern salters and sanders are used and equipment is upgraded as budgets allow. Different types of snow melt and salt/sand mixtures are used to obtain best results while using the least amount of product to keep campus safe.

Sand, salt and ice melts are kept in a containted salt storage shed which is inpsected yearly by state facility inspectors. All employees are trained on equipment before applying any products. Hydraulic brooms are used on sidewalk areas to remove snow and ice. This keeps the pavement areas ice free most times and reduces the need for ice melts in most instances. When salting roads, the least amount of product is used to obtain a safe travel surface.

The campus purchases salt and ice melt through a state contract so products used are products that are chosen by state contracts.

In winter, with the underground conscourse system between the majority of academic buildings, the campus closes most sidewalks and stairways that lead into people pockets located on the lower levels of campus buildings. This saves snow removal costs and reduces the amounts of ice melt needed on campus.

At winter's end, all streets and parking lot curbs and surfaces are swept, removing any solids or contaminates which may enter the storm water drains. Any damaged turf areas are reseeded or resodded to keep turf areas healthy and vigorous so they continue to filter solids out of storm water.


A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:

The Cofrin Arboretum encircles the core of campus - providing 290 acres of natural areas. The Arboretum has a committee that oversees management of this acreage along with a Biodiversity Committee.


Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No

The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.