Grounds Management Meeting the Sustainability Challenge The
Professional Grounds Management Society Accreditation Program
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Session Outline Purpose Benefits of Accreditation An
Environmental Management System (EMS) Approach Key Principles Best
Practices Steps for Accreditation Site Evaluation Accreditation
Determinant Accreditation Report Maintaining Accreditation Case
Study: University of Deleware
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Purpose To provide organizations that have a landscape services
or grounds component with an evaluation of strategic Grounds
Management principles and practices that produce and guide in the
delivery of properties that are attractive, healthy, sustainable
and of high quality.
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Benefits of Accreditation Provides a systematic approach in
performing an objective assessment of an organizations Grounds
Management component by a nationally recognized independent entity
Provides a means of evaluating the grounds program against industry
standards and best practices to improve performance Evaluates the
Grounds program relative to established benchmarks for Grounds
excellence and environmental awareness Determines if the Grounds
Management area within the organization is properly set up to best
implement existing and new stewardship and sustainability
initiatives Provides the Grounds program with the necessary
information on tools and procedures to meet current and evolving
maintenance challenges Reinforces Grounds Management focus on
productivity and effectiveness through critical evaluation of
programs and services
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Integrates activities that exhibit a proactive approach to
ensuring the success of Grounds related projects Demonstrates that
the organization is dedicated to the continuous improvement of
Grounds Management practices Promotes predictability and
consistency in achieving Grounds Management obligations Generate
information for Grounds adaptation measures that align with the
organizations capacity to meet Grounds maintenance requirements
Obtains stakeholder feedback and participation in meeting Grounds
component goals and objectives Increases the organizations ability
to realize the highest return on its Grounds investment A site
visit and analysis by a team of Grounds professionals typically
possessing an average of 90+ years of experience
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An Environmental Management System Approach Sustainable
Strategic Management Developed around a concept put forth by The
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a United Nations study completed
in 2005, this program evaluates the organizations strategic Grounds
Management principles and practices that promote the economic,
environmental and social performance within the Grounds functional
area. Economic Performance Environmental Stewardship Social
Responsibility
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Environmental Stewardship Key Principles Best Practices Provide
leadership and effective communication. Value ecosystem services.
Manage resources within natural limitations. Evaluation of existing
natural resources to preserve and conserve. Establish environmental
policies and evaluation processes. Implement environmentally
sustainable initiatives. Ecosystem services value included in
organization's mission and vision statement Grounds management
strategies designated by zones Complete inventory and mapping of
both man-made and natural resources Publicizes environmental
connection to maintenance activities Records and monitors
sustainable projects Natural resource management plans have been
developed Waste management plan has been developed A site
appropriate fertilization program has been developed Implementing
an integrated pest management (IPM) program Land use maps have been
prepared Irrigation zones and water conserving devices are designed
and installed in landscaped areas Data on materials consumed is
documented and retained Educational/informational notices are
posted at project sites Periodic audit process in-place for natural
resources and conservation activities
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Economic Performance Key PrinciplesBest Practices Use renewable
and sustainable resources. Eliminate or reduce the use of resources
that are difficult or impossible to renew. Improve grounds
management performance through policies and programs. Investigate
the use of advanced and emerging technologies. Conduct life cycle
assessments and costing. Produce contingency plans that reflect
budget reductions. Evaluating the use of alternative fuels and
vehicles within maintenance operation Resource conservation plans
have been developed Evaluating different staffing models Utilizing
remote site monitoring systems Analysis of materials, supplies and
equipment needs is conducted Practice zero-growth budget exercise
Completed equipment inventory and replacement plan Retrofitting
existing landscapes Metering water use in landscaped areas
separately Evaluating multi-year contract potential for materials,
supplies and equipment Grounds damage recovery plans have been
developed Reducing landfill cost
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Social Responsibility Key PrinciplesBest practices Ecosystems
are safe, healthy and productive. Natural processes and human
activities co-exist. Involve stakeholders to define and link
long-term maintenance strategies. Find new resources and
technologies that enhance the user's quality of life and the
environment. Routine assessment of training and development needs
is being performed. Workplace environment is responsive to
employees health, safety and welfare needs. Employing sustainable
maintenance activities Incorporating events management plan with
grounds maintenance strategies Identifying and meeting regularly
with stakeholders to inform and educate Employees encouraged to
participate in relevant trade organizations and educational
opportunities Staff developmental goals are prepared Conducting
regular safe work training sessions Parameters of work areas have
been defined Maintenance plans for Grounds component have been
outlined and developed Optimizing site accessibility
Chemical/pesticide exposure is limited Community out-reach programs
have been developed Cultural and historically significant sites are
identified
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Steps for Accreditation
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Site Evaluation The site evaluation phase involves a visit by a
PGMS team for first hand observations and to gauge the Grounds
operations status on the implementation of best practices.
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Accreditation Report Prepared after the site visit Combines the
evaluation teams perspectives, observations and notes Details the
applicants response to best practices associated with each
management system category Provides recommendations in areas for
improvement Presented to Accreditation Committee with accreditation
level recommendation Forwarded to applicant with letter of
accreditation
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Accreditation Determinant Applicant status on best practices:
1. No activity 2. Evaluating best practice 3. Developing plans to
attain best practice 4. Implementing best practice 5. Best practice
in-place, monitored and reviewed
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Levels of Accreditation Rating systemPoints Required 1 Star 2
Stars 3 Stars 4Stars Accreditation will be awarded based on a 200
point evaluation and 4-star recognition system. 114 127 points 128
141 points 142 165 points 166+ point
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Maintaining Accreditation 3 year re-accreditation cycle
Re-accreditation will require written verification on the
continuation of best practices Evidence supporting accreditation
upgrade request can be submitted Accreditation Committee determines
if another site evaluation is warranted A small re-accreditation
fee will be applicable
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Case Study
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Starting the Process Submittal of Site Survey Questionnaire
Accreditation Committee Review Evaluation Team Selection
Coordination of Site Visit
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Site Visit Agenda
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Example of Best Practice Response to Environmental Stewardship
ENVIRONMENTAL: WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED Collections
routes are clearly defined and reviewed periodically Target goals
for landfill diversion set Waste Management plays role in plan
review for new projects Yard debris collected and ground on site
for use as mulch / organic material Food composting included in new
projects site limitations preclude expansion at current time
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Example of Best Practice Response to Economic Performance
ECONOMIC: COMPLETED EQUIPMENT INVENTORY AND REPLACEMENT PLAN In
collaboration with Facilities Accounting Manager, developed Vehicle
and Equipment Replacement Plan to guide replacement of all vehicles
and equipment in Grounds and Facilities Maintenance &
Operations Departments. Plans currently being updated.
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Example of Best Practice for Social Responsibility SOCIAL:
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED Much of the
community outreach is handled though specific departments at UD.
Since we have a College of Agriculture, their cooperative extension
service plays a role in outreach for horticulture related issues.
Have worked closely with the UD Botanic Garden and chaired their
Advisory Board for several years. We were the first University
department to partner with the Center for Disabilities Studies to
create a training program for their students. The program has
changed over the years and we continue to support the group
whenever we can to provide an environment for their students to
learn basic life and work related skills.
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Campus Tour
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Case Study Findings: Best practices must be descriptive and
well defined Examples of typical best practices should be provided
Guidance and instruction on presentation methods should be offered
Additional verification documents will be helpful to the process An
aesthetic factor should be inserted in the rating system
Accreditation report format offers high value to a progressive,
efficient and productive grounds operation
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For More Information Contact: Professional Grounds Management
Society (PGMS) 720 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21230 Phone
410-223-2861 Web www.pgms.org
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Questions ? Joe Jackson, CGM, ASLA PGMS Past President
EcoGrounds Management Systems phone number 919-806-9943 email
[email protected]@gmail.com web
www.ecogroundsmgmt.com
