CHECKLIST AND BENCHMARKS - Credit Valley Conservation · Checklist and Benchmarks created by Donna...

CHECKLIST AND BENCHMARKS

Participant Information

Name

Address

Program Start Date

Date of Last Assessment

Level at Last Assessment

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Greening CORPORATE Grounds

Disclaimer: Program Partners, Founders and Supporters are not liable for the implementation of any projects recommended on this checklist. Professional assistance should be obtained as needed for detailed design, installation and maintenance.

Checklist and Benchmarks created by Donna Havinga, Credit Valley Conservation, with feedback from CVC staff, Kim Sellers (Evergreen), other program partners and early adopters.

© 2009, Credit Valley Conservation. All rights reserved.

For more resources and information, visit creditvalleyca.ca/gcg and trca.on.ca.

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The Greening Corporate Grounds (GCG) Program

helps businesses, institutions and places of worship

adopt ecological (or environmental) landscaping

practices to enhance the natural health and beauty

of their grounds over time. This checklist identi-

fies possible projects and benchmarks for achieving

program levels (Turquoise, Jade and Emerald) in

four categories:

Land; Water; Education and Access; and, Mainte-

nance.

At the on-set of the program, an initial assess-

ment of the grounds with GCG Program staff will

help identify possible projects from the checklist.

“Benchmarks” note the requirements for the various

levels. Beyond the noted minimum requirements for

each level, participants can select from the remain-

ing projects based on their interests and applicabil-

ity to their site. The site will be reassessed annu-

ally as participants complete projects and proceed

through the levels. Revisions to the selected proj-

ects and updates to the checklist may be made as

needed.

As participants go through the benchmarks, they

indicate which projects are being implemented and/

or achieved on their grounds:

• Implementation indicates that participants have

begun the process of executing selected proj-

ects from the checklist. Participants are encour-

aged to note the date of initiating projects.

• Achieved indicates that participants have suc-

cessfully completed and are maintaining the

project. Participants are encouraged to note the

date of completion in the Notes column, along

with any other information,

For an example of how the checklist can be filled

out, see the back pages of this document.

The Program level is determined as participants

achieve the benchmarks that are applicable on their

site for each level. Participants who have already

adopted some ecological landscaping practices

on their site may enter at an advanced level. Par-

ticipants must achieve the benchmarks in all four

categories to proceed to each new level.

Monitoring ensures that selected project(s) are

successfully completed and maintained. Monitor-

ing can be completed by GCG Program staff or by a

program participant’s staff member. When program

participants complete the monitoring, they must

provide documentation to GCG Program staff as in-

dicated in the Supporting Documentation Required

column.

Checklist and Benchmarks

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LAND

Possible projects to select from

a S

elec

ted

Notes

L1. Create native habitat

Forest

Tree and shrub planting

Shrub planting

Wildflowers, grasses planting

Woodland garden

Prairie

Meadow

Butterfly-pollinator garden

Bird garden

L2. Protect and maintain existing woodlands and meadows/prairies

Additional Projects

L3. Habitat features

Bird houses

Bat houses

Turtle habitat

Snake hibernaculum

L4. Built features

Rooftop garden

Green roof

Green wall

Living fence

Parking lot island(s)


Benchmarks

Imple

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Supporting Documentation

RequiredNotes

Turquoise

Demonstrate commitment to working towards Jade level in all categories

Letter of approval from Owner, CEO, Board or Property Manager

Complete one project in Land or Water see below

Jade

L1. Native plantings on a minimum component of company property

Convert 25–50% of planting beds to native plants

Pictures, plant lists

Convert 25–50% of available lawn to native habitat



Site plan showing location (aerial or drawn) and pictures of natural feature

Emerald

L1. Convert additional portion of property

Convert min 50–75% of planting beds to native plants


Convert min 50–75% of available lawn to native plants


L3. Create additional habitat feature(s)Picture, plan showing location

L4. Institute additional built feature(s)Picture, plan showing location


WATER


a S

elec

ted

Notes

W1. Enhance existing water feature(s)

Stream edge, including banks

In-stream

Lakeshore/beach

Pond/wetland edge, including banks

Pond/wetland in-water

Planted swale

Clean water storm drain buffers unpaved

W2. Protect and maintain existing wetlands

W3. Reduce outdoor water use

Additional Projects

W4. Habitat features

Fish cover

Turtle basking

Dragonfly meadow

Create wetland

W5. Water conservation features

Rain garden

Bioswale

Clean water buffer(s) within paved surface(s)

Rainwater reuse (barrels/cistern)

Downspout disconnection

W6. Permeable pavement

Parking areas

Loading areas, where possible

Walkways

Gathering spaces


Benchmarks

Imple

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RequiredNotes

Turquoise


Letter of approval from Owner, CEO, Board or Property Manager

Complete one project in Land or Water see below

Jade

W1. Enhance existing water feature(s)

Min. 25–50% existing feature(s) enhancedPictures, plant lists, relevant permits (inquire at CVC)

W2. Protect and maintain existing wetlandsPictures, plan showing location

W3. Reduce outdoor water use for lawns, beds 25–50%

Water use data, minus use for establishing new plants

Emerald

W1. Further enhance existing water feature(s)

Min 50–75% existing feature(s) enhancedPictures, plant lists, relevant permits (inquire at CVC)

W3. Reduce outdoor water use for lawns, beds 50–75%

Water use data, minus use for establishing new plants

W4. Install additional habitat feature(s)

Pictures, plan showing location, relevant permits (inquire at CVC)

W5. Create additional water conservation feature(s)

Pictures, plan showing location, relevant permissions (inquire at CVC)

W6. Install permeable pavement

All new or replaced walkways/gathering spacesPictures, plan showing location

Partial or full new or replaced parking bays/loading areas

Pictures, plan showing location


EDUCATION & ACCESS


a S

elec

ted

Notes

E1. Education features

Trail for staff use

Interpretive sign(s)

E2. Access features

Picnic or seating area near natural features

Bicycle storage and indicator signs (indoors or outdoors)

Wheelchair accessibility near natural features

Public access trail

E3. Education events

Staff and/or community planting event

Staff and/or community tour

Staff workshop or lunch ‘n learn

Community workshop or seminar

Staff and/or community involvement in other aspects of project e.g. fundraising, maintenance

E4. Education resourcesParticipate in a demonstration program, such as Peel Smart Water

or CVC stormwater

Create company web information on the project

Document or aid with documentation in community resource

Present or aid with presentation at an off-site community event


Benchmarks

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RequiredNotes

Jade

E1. Install one education featureCopy of text, picture, plan showing location on site

E2. Install one access featurePicture, plan showing location on site

E3. Host an educational eventCopy of description of event, picture

E4. Develop or codevelop one educational resource

Copy of resource and/or confirmation from GCG program staff

Emerald

E1. Install additional education feature(s) Copy of text, picture, plan showing location on site

E2. Install additional access feature(s) Picture, plan showing location on site

E3. Host additional educational event(s)Copy of description of event, picture

E4. Develop or codevelop additional educational resource(s)

Copy of resource and /or confirmation from GCG program staff


MAINTENANCE


aSe

lect

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Notes

M1. Convert remaining lawn to low-maintenance lawn species

M2. Develop & implement environmental policies, plans for grounds maintenance

Water conservation

Pesticide alternatives

Natural fertilizers

Mowing reduction

Invasives management

Salt reduction and/or replacement

Enhanced storm drains

Tree care

Conservation lighting

Other procurement (landscape materials, equipment)

M3. Develop and implement plans for maintaining relevant habitat(s)

Woodlands

Prairie/Meadow

Aquatic habitat(s)

M4. Waste management

Regular litter removal

Outdoor waste bins

Outdoor recycling bins/program

M5. Monitoring

Provide info for GCG program

Allow GCG representative(s) to collect info

Additional Projects

M6. Develop & implement maintenance plans for additional features (see Land & Water)

Other habitat feature(s)

Other land-based built features

Other water-based features

M7. Additional waste management

Composting bins/program

Pollution prevention plan for outdoor storage


Benchmarks

Imple

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RequiredNotes

Jade

M1. Convert 25–50% of remaining lawn to low-maintenance lawn species

Copy of invoice(s)

M2. Develop and begin to implement environmental policies and plans for grounds maintenance

Copy of policies, plans or GCG staff confirmation

M3. Develop and implement plans for managing relevant habitat(s)


M4. Waste management Site visit

M5. Monitoring Copy of protocols

Emerald

M1. Convert 100% of remaining lawn to low-maintenance lawn species

Copy of invoice(s)

M2. Implement environmental policies and plans for grounds maintenance


M6. Develop and implement maintenance plans for additional land and water features


M7. Institute additional waste management equipment/program

Pictures or copy of policies, plans or GCG staff confirmation


LAND


aSe

lect

ed

Notes

L1. Create native habitat

Forest aPhase 1+ of site plan; staff plantings; species tbd; will plant gradually

Tree and shrub planting aPhase 1 of site plan; staff plantings; species list on file

Shrub planting a

Wildflowers, grasses planting aPhase 1 of site plan; staff plantings; species TBD

Woodland garden

Prairie

Meadow

Butterfly-pollinator garden aPhase 2 of site plan, consultant will design/install, species tbd, possible interpretive sign (see Education category)

Bird garden a


Phase 1 - Woodland, work with consultant, possible interpretive sign (see Education category)

Additional Projects

L3. Habitat features

Bird houses a Phase 2 - source TBD

Bat houses Under consideration

Turtle habitat

Snake hibernaculum

L4. Built features

Rooftop garden aPhase 3+ pending load capacity study and funding

Green roof

Green wall a Phase 2, consultant will design, install

Living fence a

Parking lot island(s) a When resurfacing parking lot

Sample Worksheet



Benchmarks

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RequiredNotes

Turquoise


Jan 2009

aLetter of approval from Owner, CEO, Board or Property Manager

Letter from CEO, Mrs. Jones, attachedLetter from Property Owner, Mr. Smith, attached

Complete one project in Land or Water Oct 2009

a see below Staff Planting Event - pictures and plant list on file

Jade

L1. Native plantings on a minimum component of company property

Convert 25-50% of planting beds to native plants

Oct 2009

a Pictures, plant lists Staff Planting Event - pictures and plant list on file

Convert 25-50% of available lawn to native habitat



Aug 2009

Site plan showing location (aerial or drawn) and pictures of natural feature

Eco-Landscaping service hired, planting and maintenance plan underway

Emerald

L1. Convert additional portion of property

Convert min 50-75% of planting beds to native plants

Oct 2009


Convert min 50-75% of available lawn to native plants

Pictures, plant lists Target is 75% forested - will plant gradually

L3. Create additional habitat feature(s) Picture, plan showing location

Phase 2

L4. Institute additional built feature(s) Picture, plan showing location

See phasing in projects list

To participate in this program or for more information, please contact:

Deborah KenleyGreening Corporate GroundsProgram Coordinator Credit Valley Conservation phone: 905-670-1615 x439email: [email protected]/gcg

* for a map of the Region of Peel, see peelregion.ca

Program Partners & Supporters

Updated May 2012

Greening Corporate Grounds is only available in the Region of Peel*

Program originally developed in partnership with Evergreen which was funded by the Trillium Foundation.

Endorsed ByProgram Partner


Conservation Authorities were established by an Act of the Province in 1954 with a mandate to protect all natural resources, other than minerals, on a watershed basis.

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has been working for over 50 years with its partner municipalities and stakeholders to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River Watershed and nearby urban streams for present and future generations.

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) has decades of experience in protecting and enhancing our environment, educating young people, and engaging communities. TRCA works with governments, businesses, and individuals to build a greener, cleaner and healthier place to live.

Partners in Project Green is a growing community of businesses working together to green their bottom lines. Through new forms of business-to-business collaboration, Partners in Project Green delivers programming that helps businesses reduce energy and resource costs, uncover new business opportunities and address everyday operational challenges in a green and cost - effective manner.

CHECKLIST AND BENCHMARKS - Credit Valley Conservation · Checklist and Benchmarks created by Donna...

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