Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 46.21
Liaison Chris Gardner
Submission Date Aug. 23, 2022

STARS v2.2

Douglas College
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Louie Girotto
Associate Director
Physical Plant Services & Projects
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
7.90 Hectares

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 1.34 Hectares
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 0 Hectares
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 0 Hectares
Total area of managed grounds 1.34 Hectares

If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:

A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
The footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces were not included in the area of managed grounds, as well as lands that are not maintained by Douglas College such as boulevards (that are maintained by the New Westminster and Coquitlam in the respective campuses).

As Douglas College is an urban campus, the overall area of managed grounds is low compared with the overall campus area. Douglas College has two different categories of landscape management practices carried out by different contracting firms:
- one is for the green roofs on campus (Architek), totalling 0.1161288 hectares
- the other is for general grounds landscaping (Lawnsplus) totalling 1.2225 hectares

Organic program

Percentage of grounds managed organically:
100

If reporting an organic program, provide:

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Douglas College has two different types of landscape management practices carried out by different contracting firms: one is for the green roofs on campus (Architek), and another is for general grounds landscaping (Lawnsplus). Descriptions of each practice can be found below:

Landscaping practices for Green Roofs (Architek):
As a regular practice for green roofs Architek uses organic, soluble forms of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium. Architek also use soluble seaweed concentrate for trace minerals. Once a year it may be necessary to use compost teas and extracts that are biologically proven to contain adequate amounts of beneficial microorganisms. Please see supporting documentation for more information on these amendments that are used by Architek for green roof care.

NOTE: 0.1161288 ha is the combined size of green roofs on Douglas College campuses.

Grounds landscaping (Lawnsplus)
Lanwsplus manage weeds on campus by hand weeding and hoeing rather than using herbicides, use aeration practices, use lime for moss control and fertilizer for lawns, and employ frequent cutting of lawns without the use of herbicides.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program 

Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
0

If reporting an IPM program, provide:

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
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A brief description of the IPM program:
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Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Landscaping practices for Green Roofs (Architek):
The majority of the plant material on the green roofs is sedum species, there is a mix of native and non-native sedum in the plantings that we have used.

A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Landscaping practices for Green Roofs (Architek):
Sedums are very drought tolerant plants. We take a very conservative approach to water by only irrigating once per week or less.

Other grounds landscaping (Lawnsplus)
Bark mulch is used on campus for weed control and to cover exposed roots and help with water retention during summer drought.

A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Landscaping practices for Green Roofs:
Douglas College composts all plant debris that is collected on-site.

A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Landscaping practices for Green Roofs (Architek):
Douglas College uses very drought tolerant plants and strive to use as little water as possible. All weeding is done by hand and without the use of fertilizers or gas/electric powered equipment.

Other grounds landscaping (Lawnsplus)
All weeding is done by hand and without the use of fertilizers or gas/electric powered equipment.

A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Landscaping practices for Green Roofs (Architek):
Douglas College builds many green roofs that have positive effects for insects, pollinators, and other wildlife by using diverse plantings wherever possible.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Douglas College is an urban campus, and so managed areas are quite small in relation to the overall campus area.

Total area of green roof was provided by the green roof maintenance contractor (Architek).

Total area of managed grounds was provided by the Facilities department.

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.