| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.79 |
| Liaison | Ian Johnson |
| Submission Date | May 26, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Colorado College
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.23 / 2.00 |
Cecilia
Gonzales Horticulturist Landscape & Grounds, Facilities |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 94.40 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 12 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas | 1 Acres |
None
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 | 67 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 0 Acres |
None
A copy of the IPM plan:
None
The IPM plan :
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None
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
The Grounds Department uses drought-tolerant xeriscape plants in many campus landscape areas, while limiting grass to activity areas and sports fields. A centralized irrigation control computer provides efficient watering for the campus, and more than 95 percent of campus is irrigated with nonpotable, reclaimed water. The grounds department uses Integrated Pest Management methods and preventive plant care strategies to minimize pest problems with the landscape. When they must use pesticides, they use those that have the least toxic effect on the environment while still controlling the pest problems.
None
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 uses drought-tolerant xeriscape plants in many campus landscape areas and tries to limit grass to activity areas and sports fields. Buildings surrounded by or adjacent to areas that have successfully incorporated native and ecologically appropriate plants include: Cutler Hall (native grass), Hulbert Center (native plant garden), Ticknor & Taylor, Morreale House, the Japanese Garden (bamboo and Japanese Maples), Bemis Hall, Cossitt Hall (native species and boulders from the foothill areas), Tutt Science, Shove Memorial Chappell (native sage),Palmer Hall (native grass), and Barnes Science (apache plume).
None
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
Grass clippings and leaves are mulched and returned to the soil.
None
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
To protect the natural nutrient cycle of soil on campus, the Grounds Department tills compost into annual and perennial beds and mulches leaves and grass for grassy quad areas.
None
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
The College primarily sources its plants from Denver and its rocks and stones from other local sources.
None
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
A centralized irrigation control computer provides efficient watering for the campus, and more than 95 percent of campus is irrigated with nonpotable, reclaimed water. Irrigation is dictated by information provided by an on-campus weather station installed in the fall of 2007 at Stewart Field. This station monitors humidity, rainfall, temperature, and wind speed. It also feeds evapotranspiration (ET) data to the irrigation computer, which sets an order and duration for watering in each zone accordingly. The irrigation crew monitors the effectiveness of the program, occasionally overriding the automated system if observation indicates over or under-watering.
None
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
The Colorado College Grounds Department uses a variety of salts for snow and ice removal. Ice Slicer™ Granular Ice Melt is applied to roadways. Ice Slicer is a mined mix of magnesium calcium, sodium, and potassium chlorides along with trace minerals. It is less costly and corrosive than other commonly used compounds, which are known to leach into and change the composition of soils and groundwater, it’s widely acknowledged as a more environmentally preferable option.
The use of less preferable options, such as liquid magnesium chloride, is minimal and is kept only to target areas, such as steps and ramps.
None
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
n/a
None
Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
No
None
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:
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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.