Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 44.43
Liaison John Stolz
Submission Date March 4, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Duquesne University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Carissa Lange
Graduate Assistant
Center for Environmental Research & Education (CERE)
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area (i.e. the total amount of land within the institutional boundary):
48 Acres

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 7 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 0 Acres
Area managed using conventional landscape management practices (which may include some IPM principles or techniques) 0 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 7 Acres

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 (e.g. the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces, experimental agricultural land, areas that are not regularly managed or maintained):
This data only includes campus greenspaces (excludes building footprints, parking lots, sidewalks, etc.)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program 

Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
100

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:
The Duquesne University Grounds department is dedicated to the concepts of IPM in our care for the campus grounds. We are guided in our IPM program just as we are in all of our daily horticultural operations by the concepts of Good Cultural Practices. IPM practices have been adopted on campus in the care of ornamental beds and lawn areas. Licensed and trained employees inspect plants and lawns daily. Problem areas are treated with chemicals if significant concern rises for the health of the plant. The grounds crew uses a tree injection system, which treats our trees systemically, rather than spraying chemicals into the air. This injection system is efficient in treating plants with small, but concentrated doses of the product.

Organic Program

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

If reporting an organic program, provide:

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:
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Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
Duquesne University is dedicated to creating high quality and high performing landscapes by designing with plantings to create a cohesive campus aesthetic, using the landscape to frame key views and screen less-desirable ones, considering maintenance implications before plantings, and selecting plants for seasonal interest, designing for maximum effect when classes are in session. Landscaping should consist of 50 percent native plants or plants adapted to the region.

A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Duquesne University uses plant species suited for the climate and that are low water use plants. Additionally the University utilizes the living landscape as an opportunity to reduce pollutant loads.

A brief description of the institution's approach to materials management and waste minimization (e.g. composting and/or mulching on-site waste):
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A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
Duquesne University avoids using tall massings of shrubs as they require excessive trimming and maintenance as well as limit site visibility.

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):
Duquesne works to reduce the use of fertilizers on campus and to use slow release fertilizers to reduce fertilizer runoff.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.