Michigan State University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Within our MSU campus base map (maintained by multiple users throughout IPF) each feature class of data is built and maintained. A feature class can be described as any campus entity/asset that holds value to track. In the space determined to be 'Managed Grounds', examples include turf panels, mulch beds, parking lots, sidewalks, etc... The metadata being captured along with geographic space is what determines ability to generate custom queries. For this process: A feature must first be "OWNED" by MSU and not one of the other neighboring municipalities that border our campus properties. Second, the "MAINTENANCE" field must be populated with LS. Many acres of land in the southern portion of our East Lansing campus are managed by our FARMS team and are not counted as managed grounds in this exercise.

The Sustainable Landscape Management Program includes formally adopted guidelines and best practices covering all of the following:
-Integrated Pest Management (see information under IPM section of this credit)
-Plant Stewardship: protecting and using existing vegetation (e.g., through the use of a tree management plan), using native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controlling and managing invasive species
-Soil Stewardship: organic soils management practices that restore and/or maintain a natural nutrient cycle and limit the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemicals
-Use of Environmentally Preferable Materials: utilizing reused, recycled and local and sustainably produced landscape materials
-Hydrology and Water Use: restoring and/or maintaining the integrity of the natural hydrology by promoting water infiltration, minimizing or eliminating the use of potable water for irrigation, and protecting/restoring riparian, wetland, and shoreline habitats and lost streams
-Materials Management and Waste Minimization: composting and/or mulching waste from groundskeeping, including grass trimmings
-Snow and Ice Management (if applicable): implementing technologies or strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal.

The Protected Areas and Lands program includes the following:
-Maintained in accordance with an organic land care standard or sustainable landscape management program that has eliminated the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in favor of ecologically preferable materials
-Certified Organic
-Certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management standard
-Certified under the Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) and/or
-Managed specifically for carbon sequestration (as documented in policies, land management plans or the equivalent)

The Integrated Pest Management Plan uses the four tiered approach: (1) set action thresholds; (2) monitor and identify pests; (3) prevent or remove conditions that attract pests; and (4) controlled management of land. Specifically the plan calls for using the least-toxic chemical pesticides; the minimum use of chemicals, and the use of chemicals only in targeted locations and only for the targeted species. MSU also works with Landscape Architects to select disease and insect resistant plant materials to be used in the campus landscape. Research is ongoing to determine alternative treatments or remedies to solve pest problems. In addition, the continued maintenance of healthy soil beds and healthy plant materials to reduce specific pesticide usage. Staff are trained to identify problems and to evaluate the threshold when corrective actions need to be taken. MSU also offers the Desire to Learn Integrated Pest Management Academy for both internal staff/students and non-MSU staff/students to provide a comprehensive learning experience to IPM including access to experts.

MSU's Tree Management Plan details the methods and requirements to maintain a healthy urban forest and to protect and preserve campus trees to support the University’s teaching/learning, research, and outreach mission. Objectives of the plan include: (1) Maintain and protect campus trees and woodlots by minimizing and mitigating the impact of construction, event activities, and damage as a result of exotic insects and diseases; (2) Continue to promote age and species diversity through the wide use of native and non-invasive trees where appropriate; (3) Ensure that all trees requiring removal due to mortality, injury, or construction are replaced in a timely and consistent manner in accordance to the MSU Campus Tree Replacement Policy; (4) Provide for appropriate species selection comprised of high-quality nursery stock, and proper planting by adherence to accepted planting procedures. (5) Encourage and promote campus tree health by utilizing International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) best management practices and following Plant Health Care (PHC) principles; and (6) Provide education to the campus community, citizens and contractors about the importance of the campus forest, and the protection and maintenance of trees as part of the growth and development process.

MSU also developed and coordinates the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN), a regional effort to develop and provide tools and resources to enhance early detection and rapid response to invasive species and develop more effective management plans. Specifically, MSU's Department of Entomology laboratory for Applied Spatial Ecology and Technical Services leads efforts in conjunction with a growing consortium of supporting partners. The app allows Midwestern residents to log and snap photos of invasive species.

MSU adheres to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative. The campus landscape master plan identifies a no-net loss of green space. If a construction project is unable to offset green space, then storm water management devices are installed to maintain the integrity of the natural hydrology on campus. MSU works collaboratively across departments to implement campus-based best management practices to protect water sources (www.iwr.msu.edu). MSU has a storm water committee that meets monthly; a public outreach effort to encourage good stewardship of water resources on campus (the MSU Water Website msu-water.msu.edu), and is a member of the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Storm water Management. MSU highlights its best practices of low impact landscaping through its sustainable storm water management walking tour (http://msu-water.msu.edu/what-is-storm-water/campus-storm-water-walking-tour/). The tour features campus BMPs including: bioretention basins; porous paving; green roofs; wetlands; rain gardens; riparian buffers;grown zones; and proprietary storm water treatment devices. Refer to Credit OP 22: Rainwater Management for more information.

Topsoil is recycled and reused for all campus construction renovations averaging 20,0000 cu. yds. annually. The MSU Mowing fleet is outfitted with mulching decks to reduce the amount of lawn trimmings and leaves that are collected on an annual basis. Blowers are used to blow the leaves and organic materials that fall on hard surfaces back into lawn area to mulch. Landscape Services has also deployed six robotic mowers as a sustainable alternative to traditional mowers and allowing for more efficient deployment of landscaping staff and zero emissions service to our customer.
The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center receives approximately 1000 cu yds. annually from the campus greenhouse organic waste and other miscellaneous organic wastes from the south farms. Concrete sidewalks, roadways, and parking areas are also recycled and repurposed as subbase which is reinstalled under new sidewalks and parking lots on campus in volumes of 7,000 tons annually.

MSU incorporates many best management practices for energy-efficient landscaping, including utilizing trees to reduce heat islands; act as windbreaks; and shades for reduced cooling costs. MSU takes special means to protect trees in construction zones, and in some instances have relocated to preserve the trees through air spacing. To accommodate pedestrian pathways that would otherwise impact root systems, rubber sidewalk practices have been installed successfully.

MSU also has many environmentally friendly materials in landscapes throughout campus such as rooftop gardens, previous recycled rubber sidewalks, previous concrete sidewalks, previous asphalt parking areas, and recycled tire asphalt roadways, and recycled glass concrete sidewalks and sections of parking areas. We have also installed environmentally friendly brick pavers at multipe locations throughout campus. Brush and decayed wood materials are ground into mulch annually and respread on campus to reduce purchasing new mulch and importing into campus. The Beaumont Nursery also propagates hundreds of plants annually that are procured from cuttings on campus, grown in our greenhouse, and replanted on campus. This full cycle operation sustainably manages the campus arboretum.
"MSU also has many environmentally friendly materials in landscapes throughout campus such as rooftop gardens, pervious recycled rubber sidewalks, pervious concrete sidewalks, pervious asphalt parking areas, and recycled tire asphalt roadways, and recycled glass concrete sidewalks and sections of parking areas. We have also installed environmentally friendly brick pavers at multipe locations throughout campus. Brush and decayed wood materials are ground into mulch annually and respread on campus to reduce purchasing new mulch and importing into campus. The Beaumont Nursery also propagates hundreds of plants annually that are procured from cuttings on campus, grown in our greenhouse, and replanted on campus. This full cycle operation sustainably manages the campus arboretum.

MSU's methods to remove snow and keep campus roads clear are innovative and environmentally friendly. Crews pre-treat roads and sidewalks with a brine solution liquid deicer (70% water, 30% salt). Salt brine application allows us to treat hard surfaces ahead of a approaching storm, buying valuable time. It also prevents precipitation from bonding making snow removal easier and reduces the amount of salt needed, expediting the effects and helps it remain on the pavement. MSU has also purchased an autonomous snow removal machine, exploring how innovative technologies can enhance sustainable operations.