Lawrence University
OP-9: Landscape Management

On the main campus, there are 7 acres of land that are not regularily maintained. These include areas north of the Alexander Gymnasium and some hillsides along the banks of the Fox River. Only 10 acres of the Bjorklunden property are regularily maintained. 305 acres of the Bjorklunden property are in a conservation easement with the Door County Land Trust.

The Sustainable Lawrence University Garden (SLUG) grows produce without chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Lawrence does not have a written IPM but uses a multi-tier approach to land management that utilizes chemicals only when needed. Current practices by Facility Services include the setting of traps, applying repellent products with an odor, applying mulch to control weeds, and cutting plant material away from buildings.
Lawrence has begun to explore other pest management approaches, such as the use of goats to eliminate invasive species.

Lawrence has selected a 10 plant pallet to facilitate plant stewardship. Perennial, ecologically appropriate plants are prioritized as they require less water, maintenance and can provide ground cover year round. Plants displaced by campus renewal projects are planted elsewhere on campus. Invasive species are managed through pest control techniques or removed manually. Invasive species control is an ongoing process.

Lawrence practices responsible water use by minimizing potable water use for irrigation and discouraging runoff through the use of detention basins. The only portions of Lawrence's campus that are regularily irrigated are the athletic fields and a median in the center of College Avenue, an urban street that runs through the north portion of the main campus. Lawrence's athletic stadium, the Banta Bowl, is atrificial turf and was therefore designed with a water retention and drainage system to prevent increased runoff. Other water detention basins on campus include two systems on either side of Boldt Way and behind Sage Hall. The Fox River forms the southern border of Lawrence's campus. It is important that Lawrence is concious of run off and infiltration (as well as pesticide and fertilizer application) to prevent pollutants from entering the river in high concentrations.

Lawrence practices waste reduction and reuse in its landscape management practices. During campus projects, any plants that are removed are relocated to other locations on campus. Hardy perennials that require little mainenance are preferred as it prevents the campus grounds team from needing to replace beds with new plants every year. Additionally, trees that are cut or trimmed are chipped into mulch which is then used on campus. Cut brush, leaves, and other yard wastes are composted on site.

Lawrence is located in a cold climate that recieves snow in the winter. Power brushes are used to clear snow from walkways without de-icer or salt (however, these products are used when ice is present).