| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.23 |
| Liaison | Sarah Williams |
| Submission Date | July 24, 2023 |
Whitman College
OP-9: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Sarah
Williams Sustainability Manager Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services |
Total campus area:
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
| Area (double-counting is not allowed) | |
| Area managed organically, without the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides | 0 Acres |
| Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed | 52 Acres |
| Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices | 0 Acres |
| Total area of managed grounds | 52 Acres |
A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Campus farm properties have been excluded from this section. These properties are leased to outside entities and are not operated by Whitman College. Additionally building footprints have not been extracted from this calculation. This represents the general land mass of the academic main campus and athletic campus.
Additional land owned by Whitman used for biological research and conservation projects have also been excluded.
Percentage of grounds managed organically:
A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
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:
The Grounds department in conjunction with our campus tree committee governs the utilization of pesticides and other pest management. Currently the campus employs a four tiered IPM. High threshold for broad leaf weeds in grass lawns and low threshold pest management for weeds in flower and shrub beds. Currently the grounds department utilizes fiesta concentrated FeHEDTA as an organic broadleaf herbicide in control of plantain, dandelion and medic in areas that are mostly devoid of grass. This is done in conjunction with aeration and fertilization. In addition to these methods the campus monitors weeds and pest identification prior to treatment. In order to control weeds in grass the campus employs regular mowing and removal by mechanical means in shrub beds. Most controls are mechanical and pesticides are rarely utilized. Ground crew use pesticide on less than 2 percent of the more than 1,500 trees on campus – the elms, birches and larches. Elms are susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, birches are susceptible to birch borer infestations and larches are susceptible to case borer infestations.
A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
The campus currently has an active Trees and Landscape committee. This entity works in collaboration with our Grounds Supervisor, grounds crew, and ISA certified arborist. As specified by the landscape mission they work to improve health and vigor of our large, midsize, and small tree canopy. Through proper pruning, thinning, and removal of dead and decaying plant material. The tree committee is dedicated to planting and maintenance of a wide range of trees which should thrive in our climatic region. We have reduced our herbicide use by heavily mulching with compost and in the process have increased the health and vitality of our soils which has led to stronger, healthier plants.
A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
The campus has worked to shift irrigation from treated city water to campus well water. This minimizes the impacts of the energy/water nexus. Currently the campus utilizes smart watering techniques with the utilization of smart irrigation controllers with a central control program. This takes into consideration the different soil types present throughout the campus. Additionally we are better able to control the utilization of water in order to harness precipitation and soil water content. We continue to work to maintain our irrigation system through active monitoring of leaks and repairs to mitigate water use.
A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
The campus employs a closed loop composting system. We currently process all yard waste through a municipal composting facility. Some of this compost is then utilized throughout our grounds. We additionally provide some food waste scraps to local farms for composting. Our organic garden also takes waste from off-campus houses.
A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
The campus trees and Landscape committee works with our grounds crew to enhance the energy benefits of our campus grounds where acceptable. The campus currently utilizes a central plan developed by John Charles Olmstead. In addition to this plan, several buildings have solar panels.
A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
The campus does utilize environmentally preferable landscaping materials. We are currently taking our tree limbs that get chopped up and reused in tree rings and some shrub beds.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program 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.