Muhlenberg College
OP-10: Landscape Management

Muhlenberg College students, faculty, and staff have shown a strong commitment to sustainability. The Plant Operations Department, including the Grounds Department actively engage in the stewardship and practices needed in the commitment to sustainability. We pro-actively participate and prioritize conserving resources, managing waste reduction, reduction of water use, and have a long term perspective towards contributing to the impact on Campus. The use of native plant material in plantings has become a priority, and natural planting areas are utilized whenever possible to enhance the habitat. Turf areas are managed at an acceptable, minimal fertilization level, including recycling of grass clippings, returning them to the soil. IPM is being used to monitor, treat, and enhance plants and lawn areas on campus. We are committed to educating our staff on the reasons behind why these things are done, and encourage new, effective solutions to be brought forward. As a group connected directly to the land, we take that charge seriously and plan to continue to expand our practices and policies.

Muhlenberg Campus has worked to preserve the stately, existing trees across campus. We have established a Tree Advisory Committee to walk the Campus several times annually. We consult with several Certified Arborists to review and aid in tree care and maintenance. Trees that are removed are planned and replacements are required. Tree Protection throughout any construction is required and enforced as well. For any new plantings, the use of native pants is always considered and used when appropriate. Regular scouting for invasive plants is used on the entire 75 acres. Any existing invasive plants are managed and replaced with non-invasive species when possible. See: Muhlenberg College Landscape Guidelines http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/aboutus/plantops/sustainableinitiatives/

By managing and creating landscapes, the creation of some landscape waste is going to occur. At Muhlenberg we strive to diminish or at least minimize the waste generated. All grass clippings are mulched up and returned to the soil. Leaves that have fallen are collected by the city and composted, collected by our staff and composted or mulched up and returned to the soil. Landscape materials that are disturbed or removed for construction are re-used in other locations or replaced after completion. As an urban campus, we are limited by space, but are considering in-vessel type composting units to better use the waste material taken. The material taken off- site is through the City of Allentown, and the material goes to their composting site for use by residence, etc.

Healthy soil is an essential part of successful landscapes. Proper management of the campus soils is included in our approach to sustainability. At Muhlenberg College, we work to minimize erosion by minimal disturbance during construction, cover crops on bare soil, and water management on surfaces to direct and decrease any erosion. By channeling the water throughout campus, and containing it, we are able to recharge the groundwater in our immediate Campus property. Our turf and landscape beds are maintained with a low level of fertilization, and very little synthetic fertilizers. We test and treat soil only as needed. Our lawn clippings and a large portion of our leaves are mulched up and returned to the soil for nutrient replenishment through natural materials.

Working in and around Muhlenberg College, the Grounds staff has strived to use environmentally preferable material. During construction, soil is kept on site and re-used. Existing trees and shrubs are kept and utilized whenever feasible. The leaves and grass clippings generated on campus are mulched up and put back into the soil, or placed in composting areas for future use. Rain gardens create aesthetically interesting areas while managing surface water runoff. Through the use of IPM, we have seen a reduction in reliance on chemicals for both turf and landscape beds.

Muhlenberg College has been very pro active in its attempts to reduce water loss and recharge the groundwater. We have some significant Rain Gardens in areas surrounding parking lots that have reduced the amount of surface water lost due to erosion or exiting into the city system. The collection system for a good deal of the south side of campus places the run off in a detention area that is connected to a recharge system. Once the water level reaches a certain height, it automatically pumps the water into piping that then distributes the water across the surface of a natural area to allow it to return to the soil. Any irrigation is monitored closely and not run automatically, but rather adapted to current moisture levels, and turned off if not needed. The irrigation system is serviced regularly to maintain efficiency and effectiveness .These practices, and an awareness of minimizing issues has created a setting that benefits the natural hydrology of the campus land.

Muhlenberg College implements technologies or strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal. Some of the alternatives that are used include Safe Step, calcium, magnesium chloride, and an overall cut down on the amount of rock salt used. Muhlenberg College does not have a snow and ice removal program, policy, or practice.