Drexel University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Excluded areas are building footprints and roadways. We maintain cleanliness and safety in parking lots, loading docks, plazas and permeable paving surfaces.

For all new trees planted, a mixture of microbial soil amendments are added to the soil along with compost, instead of inorganic fertilizers. We use a liquid version of the microbial stimuland for any trees that are showing signs of stress, timed with the appropriate growth cycle of the tree. Estimated 15% organic

Integrated Pest Management is practiced throughout the entire University. Our contracted vendors are asked to monitor, identify, and control pests in the most chemical free and environmentally friendly way possible. Only in rare cases are chemicals used to treat any pests on our campus and those must go through an Environmental Health & Safety review prior to implementation. Prevention is our number one tool in pest control and to that end we educate our users in ways to keep their areas pest free so that exterminators are not needed (timely removal of waste, keeping areas free of clutter & debris). We also incorporate horticutural techniques in our landscape maintenance that require little to no chemical use to control insects and weeds. It is our goal to limit the use of chemicals whenever possible and instead rely on techniques like proper pruning and plant selection.

On all new and renovated landscape areas, native plants are used whenever possible. We source our plant material from local greenhouses and landscape nurseries, most of which are within 50 miles of Philadelphia.

All of the University's irrigation systems incorporate rain sensors to trigger the system 'off' when rain is detected. On over half of the University's irrigation, soil moisture sensors are used as well to prevent irrigating areas that don't need it.

All organic waste generated from campus activities are collected and then hauled offsite by a vendor who operates a composting/mulching facility. This prevents our materials from being landfilled; we average over 60 tons of material per year.

There has been a focus recently to install native landscapes that are tolerant to the urban micro-climate. This reduces the overall need for water and care as the landscape matures. We are planting more shade trees to help combat the heat in the summer and wherever landscape lighting is installed, we spec LED fixtures with photocell controlled operation to reduce run time.

We have made it a point to install native landscapes, with perennials and groundcovers grown locally and installed as plugs which require care and time to establish. Our use of annuals in large plantings has decreased in favor of perennial plantings and where possible we've begun to plant environmentally friendly species (ie. butterfly bush). In the winter, we identify areas throughout campus near landscaped areas & drainage swales where snow can be piled and that salts & de-icers will not be used.