University of Colorado Boulder
OP-4: Ecologically Managed Grounds

Overview of the institution’s organic landscaping/grounds policies and practices:

Since the Turf Task Force Recommendations were adopted in 2012, Campus grounds teams have worked diligently to identify and implement more sustainable and organic practices for our turf areas. That said, our program is using established practices from a number of recognized programs that work in our climate and that can be funded consistently.

Beginning in 2012, CU Boulder has not applied synthetic pesticides to any non-athletic turf areas. This includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. This has been achieved through an aggressive program of supporting soil health through the use of industry leading cultural practices and landscape professionals. UCB has invested significantly in the equipment and personnel necessary to implement such a program. This includes large tractor supported items such as deep tine and impact aerators, slit seeders, and spreaders, as well as smaller walk behind versions to allow for targeted edge treatments. On the personnel side, UCB proudly supports certified and licensed technicians in the areas of turf management, irrigation management, and arboriculture.

In addition to pesticide free turf, CU Boulder is using an organic fertilizer made by RichLawn (OMRI approved) from Dry Poultry Waste on turf areas. We are brewing and applying Compost Tea to turf and bed locations (directly through the campus irrigation system) and using soil bioassay testing to track results. We also apply a mixture of organic products such as Fish emulsion, sea kelp and humates (all OMRI approved) to turf and bed locations. Campus turf areas have a student crew that removes Broadleaf weeds by hand. The practice of leaf mulching is used on turf areas in the fall to add organic material to the soil. All grass clippings are also returned to the turf which increases fertility levels and organic matter of the soil as it decomposes. All (construction) projects that disrupt the landscape are required to replace soil to a depth of one foot with topsoil blended with organic compost.

Due to the early date of our Spring Commencement ceremony and the fact that soil temperatures are not to a point where organic fertilizers will be plant available, we do use one synthetic fertilizer application at 0.5 pounds of Nitrogen to ensure Campus shows well for attendees of that event. This one early application consists of polymer coated fertilizer with 95% of the Nitrogen derived from a slowly available urea nitrogen.

The entirety of the subsequent turf fertilization program for the remainder of the season consists of five organic fertilizer applications, for a grand total of no more than 5.0 pounds of Nitrogen for the season.

Examples of IPM in Grounds

UCB Grounds teams have a long proud history of implementing sound IPM practices in landscape management.

Historic practices and initiatives:

• Use of Cashmere goats to graze noxious weeds 
• Sanitation pruning of elm trees to discourage elm bark beetles
• Use of trunk injections for the application of tree pesticides. Broadcast sprays predominantly oils  
• Collaboration w/ State Dept. of Ag. on the release of seed- and root-feeding weevils for knapweed control 
• Collaboration w/ State Dept. of Ag. on the release of mites for the control of field bind weed Field Bind weed. 
• Historic and ongoing collaboration w/ the State entomologist (CSU), State Forestry, and City of Boulder Forestry 
• Use of student labor for manual removal of broadleaf weeds in turf and beds 
• Use of integrated wildlife management practices such as ‘Beaver Deceivers’ that allow for coexistence and eliminated trapping and removal. 

Current practices and initiatives:

• Proactive program for honey bee relocations in advance of tree removals and/or potentially harmful pesticide applications 
• Use of a steam machines for the reduction of weed cover in beds 
• Release of wasps for the control of Emerald Ash Borer. 
• Investigating Japanese beetle biocontrol options 
• Trials of multiple 25-b exempt ‘burn down’ pesticide products.

Future practices and initiatives: 

• Investigate release of myrtle spurge biocontrol options (i.e., flea beetle)