Landscape accreditation
UD receives PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation
8:51 a.m., Nov. 10, 2014--The University of Delaware has received a Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation as awarded by the Baltimore-based Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS).
The accreditation award was announced recently by Walt Bonvell, a certified grounds manager, past president of PGMS and senior grounds lead of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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UD was one of three institutions accredited, joining the University of California, Davis, and the College of Wooster in Ohio.
“The University of Delaware provided clear evidence of a grounds department that functions from a tradition of very sound grounds management practices. They possess a solid service-driven foundation that was key to their success and achievement in the Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation program,” said accreditation facilitator Joe Jackson, also a certified grounds manager.
Mike Loftus, UD assistant director of grounds services, developed the accreditation submission and received the honor on behalf of the school.
“The University of Delaware is pleased to have received accreditation,” said Alan Brangman, vice president for facilities, real estate and auxiliary services. “The process has provided a great opportunity to review our practices and programs, and also to prepare for the future management of a beautiful campus landscape that continues to evolve.”
Brangman added, “The fact that our campus consistently wins recognition is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of our Grounds personnel who work in all kinds of weather to show UD at its best.”
The PGMS Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation program is a dynamic evaluation tool designed to be used by facilities and organizations that have a landscape services or grounds component.
Through peer expertise, the program evaluates strategic grounds management principles and practices that produce and guide the delivery of properties to an attractive, healthy, sustainable and high quality state, states PGMS.
PGMS accreditation focuses on three categories: environmental stewardship, economic performance, and social responsibilities.
“PGMS’ Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation is a remarkable accomplishment for a campus to receive,” Bonvell said. “Besides the honor, the detailed evaluation report outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the University of Delaware’s best practices as evaluated by professional peers is worth tens of thousands of dollars in providing feedback that will constructively allow a manager to better systems and possibly reduce costs while enhancing sustainability and social responsibilities.”
Established in 1911, the Professional Grounds Management Society is an individual membership society of grounds professionals dedicated to advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development.