Central Washington University
OP-9: Landscape Management

No program

CWU’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan
Combines the industries best known methods of
pest control as outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Washington
State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). The methods used in pest control must be
environmentally sensitive and reduce hazards to people and property while being economically
responsible. The IPM process involves a visual inspection of campus for signs of pests, positive
identification by staff or extension offices and monitoring of pests combined with record
keeping and evaluation for possible action to reduce campus pests

It is the preferred practice at CWU to use native plants to landscape our campus. Some adaptive species are also use for diversity so long as they are drought tolerant and are free from known problems caused by pests or disease.
Approximately 100 acre of low managed pasture land exists on CWU property. This land is monitored with our IPM program and is seeded and maintained as a native grass land habitat. This management practice is beneficial to the community and campus as it beautifies the open areas with taller grasses as well and reducing noxious weed infestations and reducing surface wind and run off erosion during dry and wet seasons. Invasive and/or noxious species are monitored and controlled following the Kittitas County Noxious Weed Boards best management practices.
Wilson Creek, a tributary of the Yakima River runs through CWU campus and is a habitat for indigenous fish species. The land surrounding Wilson creek is maintained in its natural state with as little human interaction as possible. Some areas of the creek have been reclaimed and natural habitat has been restored. 1 acre of reclaimed wetlands at our location on 7th Ave was restored in 2009 with the participation of Washington State Fish and Wildlife with additional areas of Wilson creek to be planted and maintained as natural habitat in coming years. Native plants trees like Quacking Aspens and Ponderosa Pines, shrubs like rocky mountain maples and Oregon grape, Red Osier Dogwoods are present, and native grasses have developed in the creek beds
New planting sites and native species are scheduled to be introduce in fall 2022 in dryland areas of the campus parking facilities.

We work with USFW to restore and maintain the Wilson Creek area, removing invase species and planting native riparian plants and trees. Creek areas are maintained with some tree and plants species that reduce bank erosion and restore/maintain fertility levels (nitrogen)

Soil management at CWU is maintained primarily by mulching ay grass clipping directly back into the grass surface. This nutrient cycle provides our turf areas a consistent source of nitrogen and reduces the frequency and volume of any fertilizers that would need to be applied to maintain high turf health. Only during heaving growth period in spring or fall will any grass clipping be swept off the grass surface. These grass sweepings are then taken to our mulching and composting center and is used as our main nitrogen component in our compost. This is mixed with our fall leaf collection and will be returned to campus in the forms of bedding mulch or topsoil used in the repair of lawns and top dress athletic fields.
These practices reduce the amount of green waste on campus and reduced our spending on purchasing these products from an outside source. Soil tests have shown that our soil is maintained with an adequate level of nutrients in part from recycling our compostable materials. Additional fertilizer is applied only at the required amounts as indicated from soil tests. Slow release fertilizers are preferred for longer soil and turf health and it reduces that amount of hours we run diesel tractors to apply the products.

Trees are a large component of CWU campus not only for their attractive nature but they also provide shade and wind breaks on campus. Spring winds in excess of 40 mph and summer temperatures that rise above 100 °F take its toll on our irrigation and HVAC systems all over campus. Large groupings of trees that reduce wind tunneling and reduce irrigation drift allow us to minimize any over watering of lawns and it reduces the evapotranspiration rate of our plants and grasses.
Reducing HVAC consumption is also considered when planting new trees on campus and how increasing plant health to increase shading of buildings will assist in reducing the demand on air conditioning. Concrete malls and sidewalks are lined with shade trees when possible to reduce the reflective heat sources on campus. This helps reduce HVAC consumption and reduces plants irrigation needs as well as reduce that instances of sun scald on tree trunks.

Preference is given to materials that are locally sourced, requiring limited or minimal freight or carbon footprint. Fortunately our soils originate as leaf mold and grass clippings from campus that is composted and screened on site or sourced from local vendors that are within a five mile radius. Aggregates are also locally sourced and match the native landscape in design.
Plant vendors are either local or have been chosen because they supply a high quality production of native plants that are adapted to the local climate and require less water use during summer temperatures.
Grass varieties of perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass are chosen for their drought tolerance.
CWU has limited the amount of chloride materials used during winter snow removal to under 10 tons in recent years. Preferred practices are to sand more often and lower the threshold of snow and ice accumulation as to start removal procedures earlier. We have found that this has reduced the amount of granular salt products needed to maintain a safe campus.