San Jose State University
OP-10: Landscape Management

IPM is utilised throughout the campus: 1) Least toxic chemicals are always the first choice. If these don't work, then we try the next least toxic option. 2) We only treat insect problems if there is a lot of damage. If there is minimal damage, usually some soapy water spray is how we tackle these infestations. 3) We only spot treat for insects, diseases and weeds, we never do broadcast treatments.

The Sustainable Landscape Management Program includes: 1) An Integrated Pest Management plan - See above for IPM 2) Plant stewardship - Protecting existing vegetation is done on all construction projects and handled through our Planning Design and Construction Department. This only applies if we are not relandscaping the area. 3) Soil stewardship - We grasscycle throughout the campus to reduce the need for fertilizers. SJSU uses an OMRI certified organic fertilizer for all our plants and turf. 4) Use of environmentally preferable materials - We use locally produced mulch to reduce evaporation from the soil surface, to reduce the need for watering, suppress weeds and build the organic matter in the soil. 5) Hydrology and water use - We have converted over 90% of the campus to recycled water to significantly reduce our dependance on recycled water. 6) Materials management and waste minimization - The grass clippings are all returned to the soil as soon as they are produced. We compost all the green waste produced on campus through Greenwaste, our disposal vendor.

Since 2008 Facilities Development and Operations has implemented a process whereby only native trees are accepted as donations. Since that time, the majority of all trees planted on campus grounds are native. The exceptions are when the academic mission requests a specific species be planted or when a tree is removed and a similar tree is needed to fill the void, and the iconic arch of the Mulberry Trees. FD&O has also completed a Landscape Master Plan that was finalized in 2014. The plan calls for 6 different planting palettes, each using existing, native and drought resistant species. Plants have also been chosen based on the resilience to the quality of the recycled water that is used to irrigate. Each palette is managed with preventative maintenance and mulch to prevent invasive species and weed.

All of the tree & bush trimmings and the annual leaf fall are removed by our grounds staff and placed into a 40 yard collection bin. When full, this bin is transported to a green waste facility where it is composted. The grass areas on both main and south campuses are mowed weekly with a large riding mower. The grass clippings are left on the lawns to decompose and provide nutrients to the turf. This practice is called “grasscycling”, and reduces the loss of nitrogen from the soil, reduces the amount of water required for irrigation by acting as a mulch, saves time by not having to bag and transport the clipping to the collection bin, saves the cost and air emissions resulting from transporting the grass clippings to the composting facility, and removes over 500 tons per year from our waste stream.

We grasscycle (see point above) throughout the campus to reduce the need for fertilizers. SJSU uses an Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) certified organic fertilizer for all our plants and turf when needed.

We use locally produced mulch to reduce evaporation from the soil surface, to reduce the need for watering, suppress weeds and build the organic matter in the soil.

We have converted over 90% of the campus to recycled water irrigation to significantly reduce our dependance on recycled water. Our irrigation is also helping to recharge the underground reservoirs.

Not applicable

SJSU’s biology department has created a wildlife habitat that is a certified Schoolyard Habitat site #1587 by the National Wildlife Federation. The site provides habitat for wildlife and learning opportunities for students. Article found here: http://www.biology.sjsu.edu/facilities/garden/index.html