University of Minnesota, Morris
OP-10: Landscape Management

The Morris Grounds Crew uses follows IPM guidelines. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. [Defintion adapted from the US EPA http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/ipm.htm]. IPM Practices - Morris Plant Services Grounds Department These are practices we follow: • Define action thresholds that allow environmental conditions to dictate when pest control action must be taken to maintain plant health • Define which insects and weeds require action, and which do not pose a threat to plant health and therefore require no action • Aerate to reduce plant stress • Monitor moisture to ensure plant health, making them less susceptible to pest problems • Include plants that attract beneficial insects to help naturally control destructive insects • Remove weeds by hand to reduce chemical use, when practical • When chemical treatment is necessary, only apply directly to affected areas and use only the minimal amount to effectively address problems and vary use to prevent resistance.

We use information supplied here to guide our approach: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/landscaping/ There are five considerations in designing a sustainable landscape. The landscape should be: Visually Pleasing Cost Effective Functional Maintainable Environmentally Sound These considerations are not new nor have they been without considerable discussion. Problems arise, however when some considerations are forgotten or unrecognized until after the design process is complete and implementation has started. Sustainability in the design process is also affected by the order of the main considerations. Having a visually pleasing landscape is usually the most important consideration and is addressed first in the design process. This is easy to understand since it is the primary concern for most clients. A close second, or of equal importance to a client, is cost. Many times functionality, maintenance and the environment receive less attention or are neglected altogether until a problem arises in the completed landscape. With a sustainable approach to landscape design, the visually pleasing and cost effectiveness considerations should be the last ones evaluated. This in no way diminishes the importance of a "good looking" or cost effective landscape, but challenges the designer to create that beauty from a more sustainable approach. A more sustainable order of considerations would be: Functional Maintainable Environmentally Sound Cost Effective Visually Pleasing It is important to note that none of these considerations are mutually exclusive in the design process. The development of any design will require that each piece be revisited several times in light of the others before the best solution is reached.

Our campus has four different 'eras' that our grounds crew must consider when planting. Not only do they consider what plants were in Morris when settlers first arrived, they also look over what was here during the three parts of our campus's 100-year history. UMM has a historic master plan that our crew uses to guide their plant choices. They prioritize the use of native, low maintenance plants while striving to maintain the historic feel of our campus.

Landscape waste is collected and brought to the composting area, where it is mixed with food compost to provide in recommended ratios to create an ideal composting environment.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/landscaping/implement/

Please, see the link as an example of this: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/landscaping/implement/selecting_wood.html

The Morris campus uses rain garden and other features to keep water on-campus. Our campus master plan provides guidance regarding the restoration of several water features on campus.

At Morris, the grounds crew is also responsible for snow removal in the winter. This is beneficial because they are aware of what is under the snow and are able to make educated decisions about the best place to put removed snow. Currently, we use crushed granite to reduce use of salts. In addition, they have been doing research on organic ice removal products and are performing experiments each winter. Currently, they are working with a liquid de-icing product that must be sprayed on before a snow/ice event.