San Francisco State University
OP-9: Landscape Management

13 Acres of steep hillsides covered with thick underbrush and trees; Eucalyptus globulus, Acacia melanoxylon, Pinus radiate, and Cupressus macrocarpa.

Knowledge of IPM loosely guides our landscape management practices; the UPM grounds department does not have an official IPM document with which we adhere to. California Native Gardening Second to habitat destruction, invasive plants are the greatest threat to biological diversity today. Not only do invasive species pose as a significant ecological threat, California alone spends eighty million dollars every year fighting invasives that have now become a significant economic complication. Invasive plants increase the potential for wildfire, displace native plants that form the basis of productive ecosystems, and even clog valuable waterways. When invasive species establish in a new location, the pathogens, predators, and other limiting agents that control the population’s growth in its endemic region are not present. This renders an exposed region extremely vulnerable to the introduced species. It is estimated that roughly half of California’s invasive species are of horticultural origin. Supporting nurseries that are taking a leap in the direction of non-invasive gardening is an imperative to winning the battle against invasive ornamental plants. Alternatives to Fertilizers The gardener’s role is to aid the soil food web and provide microbes with a steady food source to keep the immobilization/mobilization cycle continuing. The following techniques are employed to ensure the health of a well-balanced soil food web: 1) Composting: Decaying plant matter is rich in mineral nutrients and active microorganisms. Compost provides a “microbial boost” to soils. http://eartheasy.com/grow_compost.html 2) Teas: In addition to traditional composting, it is becoming increasingly popular to create liquid compost teas. Applying the solution to soil boosts the microorganism count significantly and drastically revives the life in soil. These teas are often sprayed on foliage and defend the plant by competing against harmful pathogens. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/tea/tea1.htm 3) Mulching: Various sources of plant matter (wood chips, leaves, etc.) is applied to the soil surface providing moisture retention, weed inhibition, and the soil food web with an energy source. Mulch also contains nutrients that enter the immobilization/mobilization process and enhance soil fertility. This process takes place over time and acts as a time-release nutrient source! http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/factsheets/tp_05_mulchbasics.html Aside from the economic and environmental impact of introduced species, fighting the battle against invasive plants has a number of benefits for the gardener. Native plants are adapted to our climate, thrive in a variety of soils and require minimal care outside the realm of the soil food web (Section III & IV). California’s Mediterranean climate (wet winters followed by long, dry summers) has imposed a severe selection pressure on our plants. Species found in our state thrive in these rough conditions that demand a great deal of resources for non-natives to survive in. In addition, planting natives from you local region encourages native fauna to visit your landscape, improving your garden’s habitat value.

SF State has 8 raised vegetable beds in the Ecostudent Sol Patch community garden with approximately 256 cu. /ft. of soil.

SF State fosters a healthy, aesthetically pleasing, sustainable, and environmentally friendly campus that functions as a great place to study, work and live. Our ultimate aim is to provide a landscape which is self-regenerating and off the energy grid. The SF State campus also contains a significant urban forest, planted in a network of windbreaks, bird nesting zones, and sheltered courtyards. Renovation and renewal of the forest is directed to maintain the special forest character of the campus, while supporting a more complex web of ecological relationships, increasing seasonal highlights, and shaping new spaces for social interaction and quiet contemplation. Although the traditional lawns look nice, our campus has decided to allow some unused lawns to grow out and set seed, reducing waer, ferilizer and pesticide use. These meadows provide areas of relief for birds and small mammals to hid from predators, forage and obtain nesting material.

Our flagship rainwater harvesting system collects 12,000 gallons of rainwater each year from the roof of the Recycling Center and can be observed from the northeast side of the parking garage. We are utilizing an adjacent 630 watt solar array to power a pump to irrigate over 6,000 square feet of native plants until they become established. We will then redirect the water to other new landscaping projects. Our first rain garden installation collects about 60,000 gallons each year from the adjacent Corporation Yard warehouse roof which can be viewed from the northwest side of the garage, or up close from North St State or St. Drive. This rain garden was planted with native plants that are both drought tolerant, and can handle short periods of inundation of water in the winter. These methods reduce, filter, and slow storm water runoff, recharging the groundwater and lessening the burden on our sewer system. By mimicking natural watershed processes, we are helping to conserve a precious resource and mitigate some of the ecological damage done by our urbanized society. SF State is in phase two of three, to convert isolated irrigation controllers to a central computer base system that utilize weather condition and flow sensors to reduce water use. In addition, the University is actively converting unused turf to planting beds and replacing broadcast irrigation to drip irrigation in new and retrofitted beds. The university has seen a significant reduction of water use.

SF State minimizes green waste through grass cycling clipping into the lawns, subsidizing purchased wood chip mulch with onsite tree removal wood chips for mulching beds, and with our campus green waste hauler, Recology. The campus also operates a decomposer garden, which is used for Mushroom Taxonomy classes to inoculate logs and grow mushrooms. This garden provides a space where logs and pine needles can decompose down naturally by fungus, arthropods and bacteria. This process of breaking down organic material releases needed nutrients back into the environment.

SF State is designing new and retrofitting landscapes to reduce buildings’ energy usage. Using a landscape/forest master plan, trees and planting is being located to provide additional interior light and air circulation in new and existing buildings, reducing purchased energy.

The implementation of Rain Gardens & Bioswales to divert stormwater runoff away from the Bay and back to underground water tables.

Additional help was provided by Anthony Benson, Grounds Operation Manager