Elon University
OP-9: Landscape Management

The land excluded from managed grounds is building footprints, impervious surfaces (parking lots, sidewalks, etc.), and areas not regularly managed or maintained.

This area is simply maintained with periodic mowing. Beyond the periodic mowing there are no other landscape maintenance practices performed in this area. Inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and herbicides are not used in this area.

The goal of integrated pest management is to preserve and protect the landscape, while minimizing personal and environmental impacts, and establish sustainable landscape management practices.
The integrated pest management protocol consists of six principles: 1 - identify the pest to be managed, 2 - define the management area, 3 - establish monitoring techniques, 4 - establish thresholds of tolerance (health, economic, aesthetic), 5 - develop predictive models for each target pest and 6 - develop a management plan and schedule for each target pest. Although specific practices vary widely, there are several guidelines.
First, the campus landscape will be maintained to meet established standards of landscape management and appearance. Typically, the thresholds of tolerance will be damage and/or appearance. Secondly, in accordance with IPM principles, the order of control options should be: plant species options; cultural; physical or mechanical; biorational; biological; and lastly synthetic chemical control. Thirdly, we will seek new options or products (especially concerning the difficult pest problem of weed control).

In November 2004, then-President Lambert signed a resolution declaring the campus a Botanical Garden. This distinction means the campus provides not only a pleasing aesthetic experience but also serves as an educational tool for the campus and surrounding community. Many of the plants, flowers and trees on Elon’s campus have been labeled to promote environmental stewardship, education and research. This effort is continually expanding with more gardens and labels added every year. Plants are carefully selected for every project and garden to ensure that they perform well in their individual environment and require the minimum amount of water, nutrients and care possible.
In 2019, the Elon University Botanical Garden earned a Level II Accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum.
http://arbnet.org/morton-register/elon-university-botanical-garden
The 56 acre Elon University Forest is a dedicated land preserve and natural area. It serves primarily as a teaching resource and research site for academic programs.

All storm drainage water is directed (whenever topographical elevations permit) into three existing stormwater detention ponds, which are used as the primary irrigation source for the campus. This system does not address all of the university’s property.

Elon collects and composts 100% of its own yard waste in a facility located on the edge of campus. The program closes the loop on the university's yard waste as the final compost product is used in campus landscaping to improve soil quality and reduce water and fertilizer requirements.

In the landscape design of campus, native plants are used where appropriate. Plant selection is also chosen based on maintenance needs. Low maintenance plants are preferred that require less pruning, fertilizer and pesticides as they grow. To aid in establishment of plants, drip irrigation is used. Once the plants have been established, usually a two-year period, the drip irrigation is shut off.

On sidewalks, power brooms are used whenever possible as they will remove all snow, minimizing or eliminating the need for de-icing materials. Roadways and parking lots are generally plowed and de-icer is only applied when conditions become unsafe, and then as little as possible. When de-icing material must be applied, it is applied only by the grounds crew who are trained in the use of spreading equipment, which provides even coverage and minimal product use.