University of Nebraska - Lincoln
OP-10: Landscape Management

Landscape Services constantly monitor insects, diseases, weeds, etc., and only applies pesticides if necessary. They use additional control measures, such as cultural practices, using resistant varieties of plants, biological control, mechanical control, rotating plants in certain beds, etc. In many situations certain levels of insects or diseases can be tolerated. Chemicals are only applied when the health or life of the plant becomes endangered and other practices haven't been helpful in controlling the problem. They do not apply preventative chemicals like many lawn care companies do, unless perennial problems exist with certain insects, diseases or weeds. Each situation is evaluated and the campus manager makes the final decision if pesticides are to be applied. Less toxic chemicals are used each year and they constantly seek to improve hazardous chemicals to use in each situation. All federal, state and local regulations are strictly followed when any pesticides are applied. Signs are always used on turf areas where insecticides have been applied to warn people not to be in these areas until they are dry.

-UNL plants trees on campus around buildings to reduce cooling costs. -UNL planted an acre site with trees and shrubs to create a carbon sink demonstration area on east campus. -The landscape (green spaces and trees) is designed to reduce urban heat-island effects. Utilizing low maintenance and low-water use plants in planting areas with no automatic irrigation and drought tolerant turf grass. -UNL uses native and adaptive species on all campus landscape projects.

UNL uses a large number of native and drought tolerant shrubs and plants on campus for campus landscaping.

Grass clippings and leaves are mulched by Landscape Services' Mulching Mowers, leaving them on site to decompose and enrich the soil. Pruning, removed trees, and shrubs are ground into mulch to be redistributed throughout UNL's campus.

Yard waste is composted and then reapplied to build up soil quality.

UNL Landscaping Services purchases makes environmentally preferable materials a priority. Sustainable purchasing practices are reflected in the equipment, site accessories, and any consumables purchased by the department.

UNL completed a $2.3 million project to restore Dead Man's Run, a waterway from North 48th Street to near North 42nd Street, and a tributary that parallels the west side of North 48th Street from Holdrege Street to its confluence with Dead Man's Run.

Landscape Services responds to inclement winter weather with a fleet of equipment & supplies to keep campus operating in a a safe environment. Of these supplies, Landscape Services limits its materials using primarily liquid & granular Magnesium Chloride, which is an environmentally friendly ice removal product.