Rice University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Although Rice has not written a formal Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan of its own, the University follows a philosophy for pest management control that is based on existing IPM plans. Specifically, Rice has outlined its own mission for IPM, and follows the IPM strategies for turfgrass and ornamentals that were developed by Texas A&M’s Department of Entomology and published in 2014.

Although there is no formal plan in place, Rice’s Facilities Engineering & Planning department goes to great lengths to uphold the standards of sustainable landscape management. The following are a number of the strategies employed by the university: (1) Pest control is based on the IPM principles (outlined above) to minimize chemical use and toxicity in managing pests. (2) Grasscycling: Instead of collecting and disposing of grass clippings, Rice employs “grasscycling” by leaving grass clippings on the lawn when mowing. These clippings decompose and return valuable nutrients to the soil. Furthermore, any leaf and branch material that is gathered is kept on-campus and reused. (3) Rice utilizes Hou-Actinite, a recycled sewage sludge derived from activated waste water. It is a naturally nutrient-rich, slow-release organic fertilizer. The slow release characteristics reduce its risk of burning and leaching from over watering. (4) The Arbor Day Foundation has designated Rice University as a "Tree Campus USA" for taking care of its more that 4,600 trees. In order to earn the Tree Campus USA recognition, Rice upholds three core standards of tree care, including a campus tree advisory committee; a campus tree-care plan; and a dedicated annual expenditures for the campus tree-care plan. (5) Rice University itself is a designated arboretum, The Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum. The Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum is a teaching and research resource of Rice University. The Lowrey Arboretum consists of a collection of woody plants dispersed throughout the Rice University campus that represents native and introduced species suitable to the soils and climate of the Houston area. The Lowrey Arboretum has developed several projects on campus that employ native or appropriately adapted species, and furthermore the Arboretum Committee provides an advisory service for landscape design for new buildings on the Rice campus.

Rice’s primary mission is to maintain the environment and landscape that currently exists on campus. When Rice has plans for new construction, there is an extensive process for designing the new landscape. Over the years, Rice has had a significant contribution in this design process, consulting with the various architects, landscape architects, and project managers to emphasize the importance of using well-adapted plant materials and native species when appropriate. Furthermore, through a campus tree-care protection plan and re-location expenditures, Rice’s commitment to protecting its existing tree population (comprised of more than 4,600 trees) is commendable. Moreover, Rice itself is designated as the Lynn R. Lowery Arboretum, and as such, there is an Arboretum Committee that advises new projects with regards to the landscape selections. Although the Arboretum Committee doesn’t have the ability to reject a design, it certainly reviews the designs and gives its opinions. Overall, the committee tries to promote native plants and plant species that are well-adapted to Houston’s climate, as well as identify appropriate species that will add to the biodiversity on Rice’s campus. In the Harris Gully Natural Area, for example, a number of invasive plants have been removed in an effort to encourage native species and restore the space to its original ecology. The Texas wildflowers that are sown in the area each spring have thrived, making this location stunning and diverse. In other parts of campus, native grasses and drought-resistant plants have been used, including on top of Rice’s green roofs. In instances when construction impacts trees, Rice often will move trees to new locations rather than just cut them down.

In terms of day-to-day activity, the Rice University grounds committee employs “grasscycling” techniques, meaning that they don’t actively remove grass clippings, leaves or branch trimmings. Instead, they try to recycle all of these materials on-campus. In certain circumstances, the University also has certain procedures set in place to ensure that landscape materials are properly disposed of. For example, in 2008 when Hurricane Ike hit, there was a major loss of tree limbs. In this instance, Rice had to hire contractors to help with the removal process. Although there was a lot of wood chipping done on-site, a large amount had to be shipped to off-site facilities. Rice ensured that the companies recycled this material.

Rice recycles its grass and leaf clippings so as to allow them to nourish the soil. Furthermore, Rice's use of Hou-Actinite to fertilize its grounds eliminates the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemicals.

(1) Rice's grounds department uses locally produced mulch for its landscaping purposes. (2) The large majority of Rice's plant materials comes from within a 100-150 mile radius of the campus so as to reduce the transportation costs and thereby reduce the environmental impacts.

Water is a major concern on Rice's campus, and the University does what it can to maintain the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus: Although the grounds crew typically uses potable water for irrigation, under certain circumstances, such as during the drought of 2011, Rice was able to tap into de-watering wells located in the basements of certain buildings on-campus. Essentially, water from these wells is constantly pumped out of the ground to keep the basements dry; thus, during droughts, this water can be used for irrigation. Rice is also committed to protecting the Harris Gully Natural Area. The project of the Lowrey Arboretum is a remnant of a riparian woodland on the banks of Harris Gully. Through plantings of native grasses, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs, Rice seeks to create a replica of a natural system once widespread in the Houston area. A detention pond is located in the Harris Gully Natural Area, and serves to reduce campus flooding.

Not applicable - Houston does not receive any appreciable amount of snow or ice.

Rice University is a designated arboretum, The Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum. An initial key area of focus for the Arboretum was to restore the "Harris Gully Natural Area" which is where the old Harris Gully flowed across campus. This natural area is, and will remain a protected area on campus throughout the University's growth. In fact, the University master plan even suggests expansion of this natural area in order to create a sort of greenway that follows the path of the original Harris Gully.

The Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum: http://arboretum.rice.edu/