Hobart and William Smith Colleges
OP-9: Landscape Management

All building footprints, parking areas, sidewalks (and other impervious surfaces), forested areas, meadows and other vegetated areas at the edges of development are excluded from the managed grounds land.

At HWS, we strive to be good stewards of our campus environment. We employ integrated pest management (IPM) and best management practices in our turf and landscape installations and maintenance. IPM practices include the treatment of pests (weeds, insects, diseases) only when the damage threshold reaches an unacceptable level. The threshold is set by factors that include: what plant health can tolerate, the aesthetics of the plant and campus, the function and use of the plant or surface (i.e. athletic field, shade from tree), environmental factors, and safety of people and structures. We employ many cultural control measures as well as pesticide and fertilization applications. Whenever possible, we will opt for the cultural practice over the pesticide application, such as core aeration and over seeding a thin turf area instead of grub control and fertilizer where grubs are present, or accepting some leaf damage on a tree infested with Japanese beetles. Athletic fields are managed more intensely because of the heavy use they receive. Player safety is also an important consideration in management of athletic fields. Weed growth and grass rooting affects an athlete’s ability to perform as well as foot, ankle and knee safety. Slipping on a weed or shallow rooting of turf grass can injure an athlete or end a career. Proper fertilization and weed control are continually monitored to keep the turf performing at the highest level possible. An IPM approach is employed on athletic fields as well. Because of the intense management, the potential for insect and disease is greater. An important element of IPM is monitoring weather and irrigation. Some pest problems are managed by increasing or decreasing the amount of water the field receives or waiting for the weather to change. Weeds and other pests are generally treated on a “spot treatment” basis as opposed to a broadcast application. Fertilization is performed on a “prescription” type program after a soil test is analyzed annually.

The grounds team prioritizes native, low maintenance plants and planting strategies to reduce environmental impact. Within the past few years, the HWS grounds manager has led an initiative to install more edible plants on campus, including: - 12 trees and 7 shrubs (all edible varieties: chestnut, persimmon, hazelnut, blueberry, and paw paw) - 3 blueberry bushes in pots placed on the Scandling Campus Center patio for the season - 3 self-watering pots of herbs placed on the Scandling Campus Center patio - kale was planted in select locations with other plants in various beds around campus - 15 apple, pear, and plum trees were planted behind the campus garden - apple, cherry, and pear trees (15 total) were planted on Blackwell Green in spring 2013

The institution practices responsible water management including limited irrigation and active storm water management with rain garden/bio-retention installations and use of porous pavement. Additionally, our buildings and grounds department works with the Geoscientists on campus to drill wells with each major project, in order to track and understand the campus hydrology over time.

The Colleges chip tree debris, mulch grass clippings, compost leaves, and landfill shrub clippings. We estimate that approximately 80% of these materials are mulched or composted. Finished product/soil amendment is reapplied to campus grounds.

The Colleges utilize well-designed landscapes to reduce building heating and cooling costs. Carefully positioned trees can save energy a typical building uses. We have two green roofs, which helps to reduce heat island effect and cooling demands.

The Colleges use plowing, sand and salting strategies that minimize the amount of salt use, while maintaining safe conditions.

Information about our Grounds department can be found at http://www.hws.edu/offices/facilities/grounds.aspx