University of Regina
OP-10: Landscape Management

WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY Wascana Centre is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment through its integrated pest management (I.P.M.) program, an approach that uses a combination of techniques in an organized system to suppress and manage pests effectively, economically, and in an environmentally sound manner. I.P.M. is a decision making model used to prevent and manage pest problems. Virtually all of the pest problems on Wascana Centre’s public lands are common to the southern region of Saskatchewan. While insect and disease problems are present and create serious maintenance requirements for the Centre’s landscape management operations, weeds are the major pest problem within Wascana Centre. Effective I.P.M. prescriptions are available to minimize and prevent pest problems. Pesticide use will be necessary to manage specific problems. The extent of pesticide is directly dependent on the available management resources which determine how effectively I.P.M. strategies are applied. The Centre’s I.P.M. program includes: 1. Planning and managing ecosystems to prevent organisms from becoming pests. 2. Identifying potential pest problems. 3. Monitoring populations of pests and beneficial organisms, pest damage, and environmental conditions. 4. Using injury thresholds in making treatment decisions. 5. Reducing pest populations to acceptable levels using strategies that may include a combination of biological, physical, cultural, mechanical, behavioural, and chemical controls. 6. Evaluating the I.P.M. prescription’s effectiveness. 7. All forms of pest management activities on Wascana Centre Authority property will follow the principles of integrated pest management (I.P.M.). A variety of preventive chemical and non-chemical pest management strategies. 8. Where pesticides are used, Wascana Centre will use the least toxic, approved pesticide. 9. Standards of practice for pesticide application on Wascana Centre property will continue to meet or exceed federal and provincial requirements. 10. Range of management options used are as follows. - Prevention practices such as selecting the proper plant species for its location, i.e., shade versus full sun - Biological controls, such as imported parasites, i.e., ladybugs for aphid control - Wascana Centre will ensure that is programs involving pest management treatments on its lands are reviewed annually to institute any possible improvements in accordance with the Centre’s commitment to I.P.M. and Plant Health Care. 11. In accordance with the responsible use of pesticides, Wascana Centre will ensure the following: - That the general public is informed of all pesticide application within the Centre. - The Wascana Centre website will alert and ensure that chemically sensitive public are given notice through the weekly notice schedules. - Where required, herbicide applications on or near sport fields will be restricted through the practice and playing times of the sport teams. - Wascana Centre will provide staff training and leadership in Integrated Pest Management. h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx - Wascana Centre will promote I.P.M. with other government agencies, tenants of Wascana Centre, other municipalities, environmental groups, and related industry associations within the city and the province. Many pest problems extend far beyond Wascana Centre’s boundaries and require a cooperative, regional approach to their management. A) Programs 12. Definitions: - Agents means employed staff or contractors working for Wascana Centre. - Approved Pesticide means a pesticide registered with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada. - Biological Controls means other organisms that prey specifically on a pest. - Chemical Controls means pesticides that are chemical products. - Cultural Practices means methods of care for optimal growth and a suitable environment for plant health. - Ecology means the study of an organism and its interaction with its environment. - Fungicide means a chemical substance used to control or prevent the development of fungi. - Herbicide means a pesticide used for controlling undesirable plant life. - Insecticide means a chemical substance used to control insects. - Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) means a multi-disciplinary, ecological approach to the management of pests based first on prevention and when needed, a control (biological, cultural, physical or mechanical intervention), saving registered pesticide application as a last resort. - Miticide means a chemical substance or cultured biological organism used to kill or suppress the growth of mites. - Pest means an organism that causes damage, is a nuisance, or interferes with the health, environmental, functional, or aesthetic objectives of mankind. - Pesticide means a substance that prevents, repels, alters, or kills unwanted pests. Pesticides include insecticides used against insects, herbicides to control weeds, rodenticides for rodent control, fungicides for fungi and so on. - Pest Action Threshold means the number of density of a pest when management action should be taken. - Physical Controls means machine trimming of weeds, mechanical traps or other devices like weather stripping under a door to prevent access by a pest. - Plant Health Care means cultural practices designed to maximize the well being of turf or other desired vegetation and minimize the chance of infestation or damage by pests. - Rodenticide means a chemical substance used to control or prevent the development of rodents. - Transportation of Dangerous Good (TDG) – An international system of identification so that dangerous goods may be handled, stored and shipped safely. This is enforced by a Federal Act. It applies to all persons who handle or offer dangerous goods for transport (i.e., shipper, mover, receiver) - Weed – Generally a herbaceous plant not valued for use or beauty, growing wild, and regarded as using ground or hindering the growth of useful or desirable vegetation. - Weed Control Act – A provincial Act intended to protect land from the invasion and establishment of weeds. Powers of enforcement have been delegated to the local municipality. - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) – A Federally/Provincially legislated information system designed to supply workers with the h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx information needed to use workplace hazardous materials safely. This includes pesticides and controlled products while regulated by TDG regulations. B) Weed Control Standards Definitions: - Weed control standards will only apply to those broad leaf weeds not designated as noxious or restricted by provincial legislation or by the City of Regina bylaws. The term weed control treatment includes any control measure that is deemed appropriate for the area in question and includes cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical, using the least toxic approved product. - Wascana Centre will maintain a fleet of specialized mechanical spraying equipment to ensure a safe, efficient application of pesticides as well as operator and public safety. - Equipment will be checked by the operator before an at the completion of each operating shift to ensure that it is in good operating condition as set out by the equipment manufacturers’ specifications. All malfunctioning equipment will be taken out of service and repaired immediately. - Weeds designated as noxious or restricted by provincial legislation or by the City of Regina Bylaw will be controlled as required by legislation. The threshold for noxious weeds is zero. Control Method Definitions: ► Cultural (preventative): Plant Health Care (PHC) These include Monitoring/Scheduling, Mowing, Fertilizing, Aerating, Top-dressing, Over-seeding, Irrigation, and De-thatching. ► Mechanical/Manual: These include mowing, machine trimming and manual removal when possible. ► Biological: Establishment of herbivore insects that selectively feed on a targeted noxious or invasive weed species. ► Chemical: The use of registered herbicides to provide selective control of weeds. - Weed density studies will be carried out on an ongoing basis, and will be in advance of any control measures. The criteria for whether an area is treated will follow the City of Regina weed density criteria. Herbicide Types: Phenoxy Herbicide: selective – fine turf areas. This herbicide is used to control a wide range of weeds. Most effective when applied to weeds that are actively growing. Post Emergence water-soluble herbicide: non-selective weed control – fence lines and aggregate surfaces. This herbicide is used to control a wide range of weeds. Most effective when applied to weeds that area actively growing. Pre-Emergence granular/liquid herbicide: selective weed control – shrub beds and flowerbeds. This herbicide is used for the pre-emergence control of annual grasses and broad leaf weeks. Most effective when applied prior to any weed/grass growth (spring). 13. Notification – notification will be in the form of public service announcement, WCA website, weekly pesticide schedule recipients, door knocker notices, and in field pesticide spraying signs. h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx 14. A) Pesticide Spraying – Caution Notice Signs will be set up in the early mornings, in advance of any area to be sprayed and will be taken down at the end of the work day. Signs will be strategically located where the public enters or leaves a given area. i.e., sidewalks, roadways B) The pesticide notice signs will include the pesticide used, the date applied, and contact information. 15. Any posting of building will occur prior to pesticide application and remain posted for 24 hours after treatment. 16. All pesticide applicators will be trained and have obtained one or more pesticide license designations. 17. All products used will have MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), warning labels. 18. Areas to be treated: The forestry department, pest management division manages a diversity of open space, which is accessed by the public to varying degrees and at varying intervals. Where high profile and regular turf areas are to be treated, which is designed to accommodate a mix of passive and active recreational activity, treatments to these areas will be selective. Treatments to areas adjacent to the Wascana Centre property will be treated carefully to avoid the potential for spray drift. 19. All pesticide operators will complete all forms and maps at the completion of his/her shift. These recorded forms and completed work on a daily basis will be used for efficiency of the programs and potential response to public inquiries. 20. Staff Safety: Handling and applying of all chemicals will only be carried out by trained personnel who are licensed according to Provincial Pesticide Legislation. W.H.M.I.S: All employees will be trained in W.H.M.I.S. (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) and what is available in regards to M.S.D.S. (Material Safety Data Sheets). It is a requirement by Provincial Law that all M.S.D.S. information be available for employees. CLOTHING: Protective clothing will be in compliance with the requirements as specified by the Product Label and M.S.D.S. for the handling and application of each specific herbicide. TRAINING & LICENSING: All employees who are involved in the handling and/or applying of herbicides will be trained and licensed, and maintain a valid Applicator’s License as required by Provincial Legislation. BLOOD TESTS: Employees will be tested and monitored in accordance with the Occupational Health Branch regulations. CHEMICAL SPILLS: In the event of a chemical spill, in accordance with the Environment Spill Control Regulations, the person having control of a substance that is spilled will take all possible steps to contain the spill and report the spill immediately to the Manager of Safety, and the Manager of Forestry & Horticulture. 21. Weather conditions: The application of pesticides is done in conjunction with the manufacturer’s recommendations. All standards utilized for weather conditions will be from established, reliable sources. Wind Conditions: To ensure that chemical pesticide drifting is kept at an absolute minimum, 25 km/hr is the maximum wind velocity (including wind gusts) for spraying of pesticides. Herbicides will only be sprayed at this wind velocity when the application is contained in a shroud. h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx - Moisture/Rainfall Since most herbicides are water soluble, applying the chemical to moist surfaces does not pose any problems, nor does it reduce the efficiency of the product. To ensure that environmental concerns are respected, no chemicals will be applied during heavy period of rainfall. - Temperature Spraying will cease once temperatures both cold and warm exceed the manufacturers recommendations. 22. The I.P.M. plan applies to vertebrate and invertebrate pest control activities including rodent and mosquito control operations. Conclusion: Site planning, rehabilitation, and long-term management are the three cornerstones of a successful I.P.M. program. Wascana Centre will be putting a greater emphasis on assessments, increased cultural practices, and establishing tolerance levels of infestation. h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx APPENDIX 1 WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY – 2013-14 PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Target Pest Application Target Spraying Cycle Gophers gopher hole April - Sept. Ash Plant Bug, Yellowheaded Spruce & Larch Sawfly, Ants foliage May - Aug. Aphids, Pear Slug, mites foliage May - Aug. Cankerworm, & other Butterfly & Moth Larva foliage May - June Annual Weeds - turf spraying foliage May, June - Sept. Annual/Perennial Weeds foliage May - Sept. Elm Bark Beetle Bronze Birch Borer tree trunk May, Sept - Oct. Mosquito(Larval Stage) still water April - Sept. Annual/Perennial Weeds Pre-Emergence soil application April and early May Brown Oyster Scale tree branches Late April - early May Gophers gopher hole April - Oct. Thistle Control foliage June - Aug. Mice/Rabbit Control tree trunk & branches Oct. Mice Control mouse run Year round control Gopher control gopher hole April - Sept. Gopher control gopher hole April - Sept. Annual/Perennial Weeds foliage May - Aug. Annual/Perennial Weeds foliage May - Aug. Perennial Weeds foliage May - Aug. h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx APPENDIX 2 Schedule I Prohibited Weeds (1) The following plants are designated as Prohibited Weeds in Saskatchewan: Common Name Botanical Name_______________________________ barberry, common Berberis vulgaris L. bartsia, red Odontites serotina Dum. chervil, wild Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. crupina, common Crupina vulgaris Cass. cupgrass, woolly Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth darnel Lolium temulentum L. foxtail, giant Setaria faberi Herrm. goatgrass, jointed Aegilops cylindrical Host halogeton Halogeton glomeratus (M. Bieb.) C.A. Mey. hemlock, poison Conium maculatum L. hogweed, giant Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier hound’s-tongue Cynoglossum officinale L. knapweed, diffuse Centaurea diffusa Lam. knapweed, spotted Centaurea stobe L.(=Centaurea biebersteinii DC) knapweed, squarrose Centaurea virgata Lam. mustard, garlic Allaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande pepperweed, perennial Lepidium latifolium L. pondweed, curly-leaved Potamogeton crispus L. puncturevine Tribulus terrestris L. rue, African Peganum harmala L. rush, flowering Butomus umbellatus L. saltcedar Tamarix sp scabious, field Knautia arvensis (L.) Coult. star-thistle, yellow Centaurea solstitialis L. toadflax, Dalmatian Linaria dalmatica water-milfoil, Eurasian Myriophyllum spicatum L. floating heart, yellow Nymphoides peltata (S.G. Gmel.) Kuntze h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx Schedule II Noxious Weeds (2) The following plants are designated as Noxious Weeds in Saskatchewan: Common Name Botanical Name________________________________ absinthe Artemisium absinthum L. alyssum, hoary Beretoa incana (L.) DC. baby’s-breath Gypsophila paniculata L. bindweed, field Convolvulus arvensis L. brome, downy Bromus tectorum L. brome, Japanese Bromus japonicus Thunb. buckthorn, European Rhamnus cathartica L. burdock, common Arctium minus Bernh. Subsp. minus campion, bladder Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke catchfly, night-flowering Silene noctiflora L. chamomile, scentless Matricaria perforata Mérat (=Tripleurospermum perforatum (Mérat) M. Lainz) cleavers Galium aparine L. cleavers, false Galium spurium L. cockle, white Silene alba (Mill.) E.H. L. Krause daisy, oxeye Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. darnel, Persian Lolium persicum Boiss. & Hohen. hawk’s-beard, narrow-leaved Crepis tectorum L. henbane, black Hyoscyamus niger L. hoary cress Cardaria spp. (L.) Desv. kochia Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. (=Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott) knapweed, Russian Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (=Centaurea repens L.) lettuce, prickly Lactuca seriola L. loosestrife, purple Lythrum spp. L. mallow, round-leaved Malva pusilla Sm. (=Malva rotundifolia L.) parsnip, wild Pastinaca sativa L. rocket, dame’s Hesperis matronalis L. sow-thistle, annual Sonchus oleracea L. sow-thistle, perennial Sonchus arvensis L. sow-thistle, spiny annual Sonchus asper L. spurge, Cypress Euphorbia cyparissias L. spurge, leafy Euphorbia esula L. stork’s-bill Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér. ex Aiton tansy, common Tanacetum vulgare L. thistle, bull Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. thistle, Canada Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. thistle, nodding Carduus nutans L. toadflax, yellow Linaria vulgaris Mill. h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx Schedule III Nuisance Weeds (3) The following plants are designated as Nuisance Weeds in Saskatchewan: Common Name Botanical Name________________________________ barley, foxtail Hordeum jubatum L. dandelion Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers goat’s-beard, meadow Tragopogon pratensis L. lettuce, blue Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A. Mey. subsp. puchella (Pursh) Stebbins povertyweed Iva axillaris Pursh grass, quack Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex B.D. Jacks. (=Agropyron repens (L.) P.Beauv.) thistle, Russian Salsola kali L. (=Salsola pestifer A. Nels.) Botanical names referred to by (= ) are alternatives for the botanical name. h:\d'arcy\i p m .docx APPENDIX 3 Wascana Centre Pest Management Cleaning and Rinsing of Sprayers Procedure Purpose Wascana Centre recognizes that pesticide application is a necessary component of an integrated pest management program. As a direct result of these activities there is a requirement to clean and rinse application equipment in an environmentally responsible manner. This procedure provides a level of safety for both our pesticide applicators and the maintenance employees who service the equipment. Scope & Authority This procedure shall cover all facets of the pest management program that require the use of sprayers and will be the responsibility of the Manager of Forestry and Horticulture. Procedure 1. Any substance that may come into contact with the sprayer is considered a chemical residue. This may include registered pesticide products, antifreeze solutions or other products used in the equipment. 2. Sprayers may include, but not limited to high pressure tree spraying equipment, backpack sprayers, and hand held spray tanks. 3. All rinsing sites will be flat areas where rinsate cannot run into ditches or water bodies. 4. In all cases we will spray out the remainder of the pesticides in the spray tank. 5. When rinsing the tank reuse the solution in the next application as the pesticide will be so diluted that it will not affect the next product sprayed. 6. In all cases never dump this water out; always re-use. 7. If the tank requires flushing and the water is not reused the water can be sprayed out in the area that the pesticide was sprayed previously and spray the diluted amount out over the trees/grass, never just on the ground. 8. Where feasible all tanks will be triple rinsed between applications of different pesticides. 9. Ensure that all hoses and fittings are washed out as well. 10. If mechanical repairs are required, the mechanics that work on the spray equipment are to be notified that the sprayer has been properly cleaned and purged before they begin their work. Pesticide Containers: For pesticide container(s), proper rinsing and disposal should be as follows: 1. Empty the contents of the container into the spray tank and drain in a vertical position of 30 seconds. 2. Fill the container to about 1/5 full. Agitate the container to remove residue and drain into spray tank. 3. Repeat this procedure two more times. 4. Puncture the container so that it is no longer useable. 5. The container should be disposed of according to federal and provincial regulations.

Some non-irrigated turf that is only cut when needed - use of safe alternatives to chemical applications where feasible. Mulch in beds throughout the campus to reduce weed growth and promote soil retention.

We incorporate native species into our landscape plans. Use IPM program to control invasive species/pests. Mowing and turf management to control invasive species.

Mulch grass clippings, compost collected grass/leaves and reuse as organic matter in beds and landscaping in general. Recycle bark mulch/chipping on pathways and beds

N/A As for new landscape applications, all topsoil is mixed with compost material.

mulch and compost

On campus the use of potable water is exclusive. North of main campus the majority of land is not irrigated.

Stockpiled on site in undeveloped areas.

The shoreline and watershed areas on the north side of University main campus property.