Austin Peay State University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Building Footprint=32.6 acres Impervious surface=37 acres Athletic fields=9.4 acres Unmanaged forest= 235 acres

Thresholds are set for managed areas when pests are inflicting noticeable damage or reducing vigor of plant material, or when safety is a concern. Some preventative chemical measures are used, especially on the campus’ Ash trees, with the threat of Emerald Ash Borer. All managed areas are monitored on a regular basis for pests and conditions that could attract pests, and controlled culturally and mechanically if below thresholds. When chemicals are needed, treatments are applied using correct timing for ultimate control and minimal collateral damage to beneficials. Chemicals are used at the lowest rates possible to return below threshold limits. APSU actively monitors all managed areas and, other than a couple of instances, deals with issues as they occur. We practice cultural prevention and cultural control prior to chemical usage and it is our intent to treat in manners that are safe for the campus community and environment. The APSU farm also has set thresholds. The farm manager and his team actively and regularly monitor the fields for pest. Because the farm’s thresholds are so high, intervention is rarely needed. However, when thresholds are exceeded, chemical control is used.

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APSU strives to incorporate as many native plants as possible into the campus landscape. It is our goal for new buildings to have at minimum 50% native plant material. Currently we have an all native garden, managed by the Center for Excellence in Field Biology, with over 300 native species. Also, over the past three years, 14 native species of trees and shrubs have been introduced to campus. Last summer, 34 invasive trees were removed and replaced with native species. This past winter, an area of invasive vines was eradicated from campus property. Within the campus’ Tree Care Plan, ( http://www.apsu.edu/sites/apsu.edu/files/health-safety/2016_APSU_Tree_Care_Plan.pdf ) there is a section for protection and preservation of existing trees on campus. Within construction zones, trees that can be relocated, should be and trees that remain should have protections in place for trunk and canopy damage as well as critical root zones. All of the 182 trees planted on the farm in the past three years have been native species. The farm is also currently maintaining a re-introduced American chestnut grove.

The campus has multiple bio-retention areas that have been incorporated with landscape plants to absorb much of the storm water before it reaches the drains. Two of these collect all of the rain that falls onto the roof of our newest building. 90% of the irrigation systems on campus have been converted the Toro Sentinel Water Management System. This system is tied to a Davis weather station that completely shuts down the irrigation for a set amount of time once a rain threshold has been reached. Later this year we hope to be irrigating solely on need based on evapotranspiration rates. 81 trees have been planted in our MS4 areas that drain into an exceptional water way (Red River) to reduce the amount of erosion and storm water that reaches the river. Last year the farm installed a solar powered well along with a 1500 gallon storage tank in order to reduce the amount of potable water needed for the cattle. Additionally, the 182 native trees mentioned earlier, were planted as a riparian buffer between a hay field and the Red River.

The University utilizes organic compost in many of our planting beds. The compost is made on site from collected leaves, trimmings and spent flowers used for annual color. Grass clippings and leaves that aren’t removed are mulched and returned to the soil to replenish nutrients and add organic matter to the soil. Farm hands collect manure from the cattle herd and compost it, along old hay, to spread throughout the pastures and hay fields of the farm for supplemental soil nutrients.

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Ice and snow that falls on the campus’ 37 acres of roads, parking lots and sidewalks is plowed with 7 snow plows that attach to our existing mowers, UTV’s and trucks to reduce the amount of chemicals needed to have safe passage through campus. Areas where the plows cannot reach (steps and corners) are shoveled prior to applying any salt or ice melting agent. All amounts of salt and melting agents are reported to the Environmental Health and Safety manager after every winter weather event.