Iowa State University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Land excluded from managed grounds include approximately 495 acres of Impervious surfaces (buildings without green roofs, parking lots, sidewalks, and roads) and approximately 20 acres of agricultural research land managed by Research and Demonstration Farms.

The University uses integrated pest management practices; staff is trained to scout and monitor pests and diseases, to avoid the use of pesticides unless there is an economic impact from a pest population i.e., the loss of a plant or tree and target pest control to specific problem or area. Cultivation practices, such as mulch, are used as an initial strategy to promote plant vigor and reduce weed growth. Cosmetic damages to a plant are accepted if there will not be long term effects. This practice involves: 1. Proper knowledge and ID of target pest and life cycles. 2. Closely monitoring and scouting for pests and population. 3. Application of controls that are most effective and when populations warrant. 4. Control measures that do not injure non-target organisms or the environment.

The university employs best management practices for the care and protection of plants including mulching, pruning, staking, and watering as needed to establish the plants. These practices also include the selection of native or regionally-adapted plant species from regional sources. Campus construction projects have the potential to threaten existing trees, shrubs, and perennial plants. Campus planners, landscape architects, arborist, and grounds managers are involved throughout the planning, design, and construction of campus projects to preserve and protect these plants to the greatest extent possible. This level of involvement allows for condition assessment and evaluation of threatened plant material, design modifications to preserve plant material, preparation and transplanting of threatened plants prior to construction, and construction observation to minimize to impact campus plant material that remains on-site during construction.

The university has strategies to improve water quality and reduce stormwater runoff from new development sites and ongoing campus operations. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was established under the authority of the Clean Water Act in 1972. The NPDES program is responsible for controlling and regulating point sources of discharge of pollutants to waters within each state to maintain, protect and restore the water quality of streams, lakes, and rivers. In 1990, Phase I of NPDES stormwater program was established to regulate stormwater runoff. In 1999, Phase II of the NPDES stormwater program was established and required communities that were not part of the Phase I to develop and implement a comprehensive stormwater management program. Those communities that were included in Phase II of the program were designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has designated Iowa State University as a qualifying MS4, which requires the university to comply with the Phase II stormwater regulations. Iowa State has a stormwater policy which guides both construction site runoff control and post-construction site runoff control. The intent of the policy is to control stormwater runoff, minimize stormwater pollution and contribute to the protection of Iowa’s natural resources. The university design standards serve as a resource. ISU has storm sewer facilities that serve the buildings and property of the University for stormwater drainage and runoff management. Stormwater runoff from different areas of the university is conveyed to five creeks or the City of Ames storm sewer systems and eventually into the Skunk River. The university has an interdisciplinary committee that meets regularly to review stormwater initiatives and discuss alternatives to increase stormwater management efforts. The University evaluates new construction projects for best practices that match the conditions of the site and project. Operational strategies and best practices are considered and implemented as part of the MS4 permit. Additionally, ISU facilities staff meets quarterly with City of Ames Public Works staff on broad topics including a shared interest in stormwater management strategies and coordination.

One hundred percent of landscape waste is reused on campus. Leaf and landscape debris, organic waste material from university greenhouses, and food waste from campus dining centers are all collected on campus as part of the university Compost Facility operation. The collected landscape debris is combined with bedding waste from animal science teaching farms, and sand and soils to produce amended soils for campus landscape projects. Lawn clippings are mulched in place during the mowing operations. Woody debris from pruning and tree removals is mulched for reuse on campus landscape beds. Selected logs are directed toward the TreeCycle program, where wood is logged and sawn for reuse in furniture design classes, specialized campus furniture fabrication, or directed to Iowa Prision Industries to create specialized ISU memorabilia for resale.

Campus Services uses snow removal strategies to minimize the impact on the environment while providing for the safety of humans as they move through the campus during the winter months. These strategies include: a. Up to date weather forecasting services to provide for timely staff response to storm conditions. b. Removal as quickly as possible to reduce the need for treatment. c. Use of tractor-mounted brooms on walks to remove more snow residue. d. Use of ice melt coated with beet juice to reduce corrosion, increase effectiveness, and reduce amount needed. Applied at a ratio of one part ice melt to two parts sand for all sidewalks. e. Salt brine applied to the pavement before a snow event. f. Rock salt applied to streets and lots after snow event comprised of 50% sand, 50% salt g. Installation of porous and pervious paving systems to decrease ice build-up and minimize the need for snowmelt materials.