| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.80 |
| Liaison | Allie McAllister |
| Submission Date | March 27, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Villanova University
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.65 / 2.00 |
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 | 143.44 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 | 13 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) | 104.56 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 261 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):
There are only two areas that are excluded from the managed grounds: the Santander Bank building and the building next to it. The Santander building measures 61,518 square feet and the other building measures 70,597 square feet.
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:
Villanova uses IPM on grounds throughout campus. All areas of campus operating under IPM practices do not use any inorganic fertilizers or chemical pesticides.
We work hard to limit watering to nighttime or early morning when temperatures are low and use fertilize when needed in spring and fall.
Pesticides are only used as a last resort. We closely monitor for pests and use cultural practices when possible to help control the pests before they reach a threshold. Herbicides are used sparingly. Again we use cultural practices to control weeds (e.g., hand weeding, weed whacking and mowing before weeds go to seed, mulching, and monitoring for weeds and invasive species). In winter we also continue to remove invasive species from around the perimeter of campus, such as along fences, railroad tracks and meadows. We utilize these practices on all 265 acres of campus grounds.
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:
All areas of campus operating under organic practices do not use any inorganic fertilizers or chemical pesticides
Two meadows or fields mowed every other year used for campus research and programs.
All fertilizers are organic fertilizer on campus.
Use of wood chips in place of mulch in certain places on campus. Wood chips are produced from fallen trees and tree branches on campus.
Use of all natural mulch, no processed mulch or dyed mulch.
Fungicides and herbicides are only used for emergency purposes.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The grounds department mainly orders native plants for their projects on campus. When replacing plants. Grounds prioritizes native plants over non-native and avoids using invasive plants.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Villanova's Grounds Maintenance department works very closely with Dr. Traver in the Civil Engineering department to provide the best and latest methods of maintaining the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus. The Villanova campus is considered a model for this type of management, having over two dozen different actual sites including rain gardens, several porous paving installations, bio retention basins, underground infiltration beds, etc.
A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
Villanova does not have written policies for the landscape materials management or waste minimization. However, Villanova has been committed to those practices for over 20+ years. The practices have evolved over the years to incorporate best practices as established by University research and industry experience. We compost all the leaves collected on campus, grass clippings, perennial cuttings, and dead plant material. Also, we chip brush and tree branches from campus. The wood chips are used throughout campus landscapes as a natural mulch.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
NA
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):
Villanova's primary concern and commitment is ensuring the safety of the community during snowy/icy conditions. When possible, the grounds department will minimize the application of salt products and/or choose products that they believe have the least environmental impact.
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:
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.