Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, is reimagining its campus grounds into a more sustainable one. After an 8 month long collaborative effort between Skidmore’s Sustainability Office, Skidmore’s Facilities Department, and a consulting group: The LA Group, a Sustainability Landscape Plan (SLP) was born. The SLP works in conjunction with two other informative Skidmore plans, the Campus Master Plan (2022) and the Sustainability Plan (2015-2025). The SLP helps pave a roadmap for future projects as the college continues to evolve.
Skidmore College embarks on a sustainable landscape plan.
The SLP comprises four parts: 1 – Existing Conditions, 2 – Sustainable Design and Management Guidelines, 3 – Project Identification and Prioritization, and 4 – Priority Projects. The parts are contingent on each other to create a strong, research-backed foundation and guide the decision-making of future projects.
The Four Parts of The SLP:
Part 1: Existing Conditions
The existing conditions are split into 9 categories including: Soils and Wetlands, Tree Cover, Slopes and Topography, Drainage Patterns, Stormwater Infrastructure, Sustainable Practices, Land Cover, Land Use, and Maintenance.
By understanding the existing conditions the College has established a general inventory of potential opportunities and challenges on campus.
After almost a year of collaboration among stakeholders, Skidmore produced a robust Landscape Plan.
Part 2: Sustainable Design & Management Guidelines
This section establishes a foundation for decision-making and guidelines to structure the project identification and priority projects, sustainable design and management.
The guidelines are based on best practices and their primary purpose is to promote ecological and human health. Subcategories of this part include Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management, Landscape Plantings and Maintenance, and Education and Engagement.
Each category has unique goals and guidelines that help deliver diverse benefits. For example, a component of the Infrastructure and Stormwater Management guideline for all new projects is to explore opportunities to decrease additional impervious surfaces or to utilize porous pavements. While the Education and Engagement guideline seeks to identify and integrate opportunities for the Skidmore community to get involved and appreciate the outdoor space.
Part 3: Project Identification & Prioritization
With the knowledge of existing conditions and guidelines, potential projects were identified through a series of meetings. Over 15 projects were identified based on their opportunity for green infrastructure and stormwater management, campus involvement, habitat creation and support, aesthetics and visibility, and educational and landscape components. A stakeholder group, with representation from across the college, helped identify priority projects. The design and cost estimations were then completed.
One of the 15 projects up for consideration: schematic drawing for a green roof.
Part 4: Priority Projects
The three priority projects outlined in the SLP show a breakdown of the construction costs (including site preparation, pavements, stonework, site furnishings, stormwater, and landscaping), as well as a variety of images to depict the current conditions and proposed changes. The initial design work sets the rough project boundaries and goals and prepares Skidmore to seek out internal and external funding opportunities.
I had the opportunity to connect with Tarah Rowse, Skidmore’s Director of Sustainability Programs and Assessment, to learn more about the collaboration, challenges, and vision of the SLP. Tarah shared, “I find planning to be invaluable in improving project execution. By preemptively addressing key decisions and completing initial design phases, we streamline processes, enabling swift progress and efficient allocation of resources. We’re excited that this strategic investment of time and effort will facilitate the advancement of Skidmore’s sustainable landscape goals." A unique aspect of the SLP is that there are no deadlines or rigid structures that dictate Project A must be completed before Project B. The SLP is a flexible, continually changing guide that, as Tarah pointed out, is an investment of time and effort.
As far as challenges go, the SLP design team faced minimal roadblocks due to the help of The LA Group who oversaw the project management aspects in the design phase. Additionally, initial Campus Master Plan work served as the guide for building out the SLP, especially in relation to stormwater management and ecologically sound landscapes. Lastly, a key relationship in the SLP’s success was between Skidmore’s Sustainability Office and the Facilities Department. These two groups have always had a good relationship and their passion for bettering the campus shone through in this project.
In May, one of the priority projects will be submitted for funding. If approved, the submitted priority project hopes to create an outdoor area for study, relaxation, more rain gardens, covered areas for bikes, and pollinator plants. This project is a mix of addressing some of the landscape issues, enhancing sustainability features, and improving outdoor spaces for the Skidmore community and beyond.
Native plants add a pop of color while providing a food source for pollinators. This rain garden helps control stormwater run off.
Additionally, this summer, Skidmore plans to conduct a tree inventory project. Typically every summer, the Sustainability Office hires two student interns to serve as North Woods Stewards. The SLP opens doors for educational opportunities and gives students hands-on opportunities to get involved with the space they get to call home from September to May.
As the campus evolves, so will the SLP. It is an exciting chapter for Skidmore College and the campus’ commitment to sustainability. For more details on the SLP, you can access the plan on Skidmore’s website here.
Article by Paige Karl, Skidmore College ‘24, Sustainability Intern for Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants, Spring 2024.
Article Published in the PAISBOA Friday Flyer Vol. XIV, No. 9 - June 7, 2024.
