Arizona State University
OP-10: Landscape Management

The Arizona State University Tempe campus operates with an IPM management plan. Insecticides are very rarely used outside; when they are it is for termites. Pests are monitored and controlled through cultural methods. Susceptible plants or varieties are avoided in favor of resistant ones. Weeds are manually removed but pre-emergent’s are put down where and when appropriate before light rain to push them into the soil profile. Weeds in turf are primarily controlled with mowing and keeping the turf healthy with compost, compost teas, and fish emulsions. There is occasional spot treating for nut grass and clover. The West campus routinely checks all turf, plant material and trees for pest. No pesticides are used on playing fields. Weeds are mechanically removed. Insects found on plant material are first removed with a water hose. If an insecticide is needed only organic based insecticides containing Bt, pyrethrums or diatomaceous earth are used. Weed control in granite and undeveloped areas are maintained only with "Caution" labeled pesticides. The Polytechnic campus action threshold is determined to only handle pest oriented situation if there is a perceived threat to human health or safety. Otherwise, wildlife is left alone. Through empirical data (observation) several species of “pests” have been identified on the Polytechnic campus that include Bees, skunks, roaches, coyotes, aphids, rattle snakes and feral cats. Any perceivable small mammal habitat is discouraged through grounds maintenance efforts of restricting access. Proper and continuous housekeeping protocol minimizes or completely reduces the need on interior spaces of the campus. Arizona State University has an organization that deals specifically with the feral cat population through a “Trap, Neuter and Release” program. (Friends of Feral AZ) If and only if an animal is determined to be a legitimate health or safety hazard then it is dealt with in one of two ways; trap and release in the case of all mammals and occasionally bee swarms, and in the case of most other insects lethal means are used by way of calling in a pest management professional. Insecticides are rarely used as part of the IPM management plan for the Downtown Phoenix Campus. If a pest is discovered we will do our best to remove them using a water hose. If need be only an organic based insecticide is used. Weeds are manually removed but pre-emergent’s are used in the granite areas and applied once a year at the end of summer/beginning of fall. We do treat for nut grass and clover on the Post Office lawn which is part of the Downtown Phoenix Campus.

Arizona State University’s approach to sustainable landscape management is we utilize desert adapted plants, installing in phases a centrally controlled irrigation system (Calsense) that is run by ET, only use compost, compost tea, hydrolyzed fish solution, and other organic fertilizers, divide and split plants and replant in other areas, harvest our edible plants (dates, citrus, and herbs) for use by campus food service provider, sale at campus Farmer’s Market, and local food pantries, and reuse landscape elements and leftovers from construction (boulders, pavers, and misc. items)for use in the landscape.

The Tempe campus is a registered Arboretum with an extensive collection of plants. It encourages the use of Native Plants where appropriate. Since there is a limited pallet of native trees to this area, the Tempe campus Arboretum also uses non native plants. Only non native plants and trees are adapted to the heat of our Sonoran desert climate are selected by the Tempe campus Arboretum. The West campus has an extensive collection of native trees in their arboretum east of the Faculty Administration Building. The Polytechnic campus is a registered desert arboretum. It maintains native plant species specific to the Sonoran desert including varieties of cacti, succulents, shrubs, herbaceous wild flowers and deciduous drought tolerant trees.

Arizona State University is developing a university-wide composting program that will include food waste. Currently, the Tempe campus composts about 14 tons of landscaping waste monthly by a local farm. The University purchases the compost for use on campus landscapes therefore replacing artificial fertilizers. A similar program exists on the Polytechnic campus. The amount of landscaping waste generated on the Downtown Phoenix Campus is negligible.

The organic soils management practices at of the Tempe campus uses all organic fertilizers and compost. The turf areas are aerated to combat compaction and to allow air and water to penetrate the soil along with organic matter from the compost.

The landscape is all natural, no artificial turf other than some athletic sites. Whenever possible streets are milled in place and asphalt is reused, concrete is recycled and sometimes reused as part of a new landscape, landscape boulders are always saved for re-use, and plants are routinely divided and divisions planted in new areas rather than purchasing new plants. Whenever possible locally grown plants are purchased and Sonoran desert adapted plants are used.

The composted areas on campus allow rain water to be filtered and cleaned as it flows through the soil profile. Every effort is made to avoid irrigation water runoff to keep it on the landscape and out of the storm drains.

Not applicable.