The Professional Grounds Management
Society Accreditation Program
Grounds Management Meeting the Sustainability
Challenge
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
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.
Benefits of Accreditation
 Provides a systematic approach in performing an objective assessment of an
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organization’s 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
 Integrates activities that exhibit a proactive approach to ensuring the success of
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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
organization’s capacity to meet Grounds maintenance requirements
Obtains stakeholder feedback and participation in meeting Grounds component
goals and objectives
Increases the organization’s 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
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 organization’s
strategic Grounds Management
principles and practices that
promote the economic,
environmental and social
performance within the Grounds
functional area.
Economic
Performance
Social
Responsibility
Environmental
Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship
Best Practices
Key Principles
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Provide leadership and effective communication.
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Value ecosystem services.
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Manage resources within natural limitations.
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Evaluation of existing natural resources to
preserve and conserve.
Establish environmental policies and evaluation
processes.
Implement environmentally sustainable
initiatives.
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Ecosystem services value included in organization's mission and
vision statement
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Grounds management strategies designated by zones
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Complete inventory and mapping of both man-made and natural
resources
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Publicizes environmental connection to maintenance activities
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Records and monitors sustainable projects
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Natural resource management plans have been developed
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Waste management plan has been developed
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A site appropriate fertilization program has been developed
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Implementing an integrated pest management (IPM) program
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Land use maps have been prepared
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Irrigation zones and water conserving devices are designed and
installed in landscaped areas
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Data on materials consumed is documented and retained
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Educational/informational notices are posted at project sites
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Periodic audit process in-place for natural resources and
conservation activities
Economic Performance
Key Principles
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Use renewable and sustainable resources.
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Eliminate or reduce the use of resources that are
difficult or impossible to renew.
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Improve grounds management performance through
policies and programs.
Investigate the use of advanced and emerging
technologies.
Best Practices
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Evaluating the use of alternative fuels and vehicles
within maintenance operation
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Resource conservation plans have been developed
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Evaluating different staffing models
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Utilizing remote site monitoring systems
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Analysis of materials, supplies and equipment needs is
conducted
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Practice zero-growth budget exercise
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Completed equipment inventory and replacement plan
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Retrofitting existing landscapes
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Metering water use in landscaped areas separately
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Conduct life cycle assessments and costing.
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Evaluating multi-year contract potential for materials,
supplies and equipment
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Produce contingency plans that reflect budget
reductions.
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Grounds damage recovery plans have been developed
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Reducing landfill cost
Social Responsibility
Key Principles
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Ecosystems are safe, healthy and productive.
Best practices
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Employing sustainable maintenance activities
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Incorporating events management plan with grounds
maintenance strategies
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Identifying and meeting regularly with stakeholders to
inform and educate
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Employees encouraged to participate in relevant trade
organizations and educational opportunities
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Staff developmental goals are prepared
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Conducting regular safe work training sessions
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Parameters of work areas have been defined
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Maintenance plans for Grounds component have been
outlined and developed
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Optimizing site accessibility
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Chemical/pesticide exposure is limited
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Community out-reach programs have been developed
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Cultural and historically significant sites are identified
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 employee’s
health, safety and welfare needs.
Steps for Accreditation
Site Evaluation
The site evaluation phase
involves a visit by a PGMS
team for first hand
observations and to gauge
the Grounds operation’s
status on the
implementation of best
practices.
Accreditation Report
 Prepared after the site visit
 Combines the evaluation team’s perspectives, observations
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and notes
Details the applicant’s 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
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
Levels of Accreditation
Rating system
 1 Star
 2 Stars
 3 Stars
 4Stars
Points Required
 114 – 127 points
 128 – 141 points
 142 – 165 points
 166+ point
Accreditation will be awarded based on a 200
point evaluation and 4-star recognition system.
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
Case Study
Starting the Process
 Submittal of Site Survey
Questionnaire
 Accreditation Committee
Review
 Evaluation Team Selection
 Coordination of Site Visit
Site Visit Agenda
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
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.
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.
Campus Tour
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
For More Information
Contact:
Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)
720 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone 410-223-2861
Web – www.pgms.org
Questions ?
Joe Jackson, CGM, ASLA
PGMS Past President
EcoGrounds Management Systems
phone number 919-806-9943
email – jbjackson907@gmail.com
web – www.ecogroundsmgmt.com