Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 63.24
Liaison Victoria Ho
Submission Date Feb. 8, 2024

STARS v2.2

OCAD University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Louis Toromoreno
Director
Safety, Security & Campus Operations
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
1.07 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 0.08 Hectares
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 0.00 Hectares
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 0 Hectares
Total area of managed grounds 0.08 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:
OCAD U is located in a very urban setting with a small area of managed grounds, comprised primarily of Butterfield Park and small planting boxes along McCaul St. The area of managed grounds therefore excludes the footprint of buildings and impervious surfaces.

Organic program

Percentage of grounds managed organically:
100

If reporting an organic program, provide:

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Mulch used for gardens and planters are unbleached.
Ecologically preferable materials and procedures are used such as worm casings for fertilizing soil, planting of native pollinator species in the gardens, e-mower does not use a bag in order to redistribute cuttings on-site, detritus is left on the grounds to offer habitat for overwintering species.

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:
Campus Operations monitors pests and other invasive species or diseases (i.e. funguses) on OCAD U grounds. OCAD U has eliminated any blanket application of chemical pesticides and herbicides. For any damaging species (e.g. invasive species) that need to be controlled, targeted application of chemicals are applied. **Lance to confirm weed program.

While there is not a formal IPM program documented, all IPM principles are followed as standard practice and chemical pesticide and herbicide use has been eliminated, aside from the specific applications mentioned above. OCAD U also plants native species with inherent resistance to pests in order to minimize need for pesticide application.

Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
OCAD U received a PollinateTO grant and established pollinator habitat in Summer 2022 to support native pollinating species with a range of flowering, woody, and other species.

Ideal pollinator habitat features native plants that are locally-grown and pesticide-free.

PollinateTO supports projects that:

- directly result in the creation of pollinator habitat in Toronto
- are visible to the community
- include an educational component to inform others about pollinator stewardship
- involve the community in some way

A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
None.

A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
None.

A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
None.

A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
For ice removal, OCAD U uses only alternative natural, eco-friendly de-icing agents to reduce the environmental impact of salt. Products chosen are safe to use around pets, and proximity to very salt-sensitive areas, softscapes such as shrubs, flower beds and interlocking bricks. The product is called Meltco.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program 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.