University of North Carolina, Wilmington
OP-9: Landscape Management

Buildings and impervious surfaces are not maintained and therefore was excluded from the Total Campus Area.

We understand the lifecycles and their relationships with the environment and use control methods that are not only economically sensible but with a high level of environmental concern as well. We will strive for an organic program throughout our areas, but in places where this is not possible, the IPM program is implemented to save our green assets.

UNCW's IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program focuses heavily on identifying plant thresholds. Chemical treatment of plants and turf is the last line of defense. We use all organic fertilizers, organic plant pest treatments (horticultural oils, beneficial insects, and mechanical removal) and organic soil conditioners. UNCW’s IPM program is an effective and common sense approach to pest management in the landscape. In our program, we use the most current information and products available, with an understanding of disease and pest life cycles and how they interact with the environment. We make a point of choosing the most economical and benign methods to protect people, property and the environment. 1. Action Threshold - We only resort to using a pesticide when an identified population is severe enough to cause possible loss of important green assets. 2. Monitor and Identify Pests- Pest and their predators are correctly identified and monitored by scouting on a regular basis. The least toxic methods are chosen should the severity of an infestation require action. 3. Prevention – A good prevention program requires knowledge and awareness of good site planning and all of the cultural conditions factored in to your landscape in the design phase. Selecting the right plant for the right places is an important feature in IPM. A diverse selection of plant material throughout our campus grounds has created a good natural balance, avoiding pest problems caused by monoculture. 4. Control – After the most benign methods are used and monitored, the last resort will be a targeted use of a chemical control. No restricted use chemical are ever used in management of our properties. 5. Measurement – We have practiced IPM as described above for the last 21 years as facilitated by our Campus Horticulturist and overseen by the Superintendent of Landscape Services.

The main campus of UNCW has been designated as an Institutional Arboretum with a focus on native plant species. The Campus Commons has been designated as an area of many acres to showcase and cultivate native plant species exclusively. Native trees and shrubs have been preserved and added in and around construction sites wherever possible since the campus was founded. We have also worked to preserve pockets of native vegetation wherever possible to blend buildings on campus and ornamental landscapes with their natural surroundings. UNCW also manages a 174-acre Nature Preserve in Brunswick County, N.C. and a 10-acre Wildflower Preserve that is located right in the center of the campus. UNCW is one of 400 institutions recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus Higher Education University. UNCW initiated a Campus Tree Advisory Committee to uphold this certification including students, faculty, staff, and a member of the NC Cooperative Extension. Each year, UNCW Sustainability and partners participate in a tree planting. In 2020, 567 trees were planted followed by 165 longleaf pines on campus and 225 longleaf pines at Ev-Henwood in Brunswick County in 2021. In 2022, 200 more were planted at Ev-Henwood. UNCW remains consistent in efforts to uphold and exemplify this certification. UNCW Landscape Services has considered its focus on native plants to be a program that distinguishes our campus as an attractive and healthy place within our local community. When future development is planned, UNCW Landscape Services takes part in reviewing plans as they relate to land and habitat conservation. Native trees and vegetation are preserved whenever possible. As much native plant material as is practical is designed into any newly landscaped areas. Additionally, seven rain gardens with native plant species are scattered throughout campus.

In 2019, UNCW partnered with the City of Wilmington's Heal Our Waterways and the NC Coastal Federation to implement stormwater control retrofit projects across campus including pervious pavements and rain gardens. These projects treat 322,000 gallons of stormwater every time that it rains and keeps this pollution out of the Bradley Creek Watershed. There are seven rain gardens planted and actively maintained throughout campus. A Stormwater Master Plan has been drafted to not only restore the integrity of many of our streams, but also mitigate pollution before it reaches the ocean. Additionally, water collected in the retention ponds in the center of campus are utilized for irrigation of campus areas, creating circular model for water use.

Landscaping utilizes materials from the in-house composting process created by campus dining. This compost material is picked up once a week from the dining areas. The compost materials is then added to a soil/sand mixture and incorporated in the landscape nursery where the composting process continues. The compost dirt it then used in new plant bed installations, such as the annual flower bed areas which change every six months. Additionally, Landscaping minimizes waste by mulching much of the storm debris and other materials.

There has been a recent shift in attempting to incorporate energy efficient landscape design into some of the newer buildings on campus. The pine trees at Veterans hall is one example of an approach to energy-efficient landscape design. Once the trees mature they will provide shading to the building. As campus development continues, landscaping plans to evolve into practices from energy-efficient landscape design while maintaining the integrity of the natural area on campus.

The university participates in prescribed burnings of our native longleaf pine forests on the main campus and the nature preserve, Ev-Henwood. This benefits the health of the forest and helps prevent forest fires started from lightening or other natural reasons by decreasing the fuel load of the area. The removal of the thick grasses allows for new seedlings to thrive and will maintain the original healthy conditions of the area. Additionally, when ice or snow episodes make for unsafe conditions on campus and satellite properties, we often are able to wait for temperatures to rise and announce that we will delay classes for a few hours. There is always a percentage of students, faculty and staff that must be on campus and measures must be taken to avoid accidents due to slipping. Our product of choice for walkways and steps is Premiere Ice Melter. This is a non-toxic, non-corrosive patented material. Its formula contains Pro-tec Plus and CMA with vegetation enhancers and protectors. Our personnel go back and sweep away any excess material when the precipitation has melted. Upon the rare occasion that we need to de-ice the roadways water softener salt may be used but is blown up into piles and legally disposed of when temperatures rise.

Sources: Personal Communication - Jake Inabnit, Landscape Services Superintendent. https://uncw.edu/news/2023/10/controlled-burn https://www.nccoast.org/project/bradley-hewletts-watershed-restoration/#:~:text=UNCW%20Leutze%20Hall%20Rain%20Garden,design%20and%20build%20the%20garden. https://uncw.edu/about/university-administration/office-chancellor/annual-report/