University of Saskatchewan
OP-9: Landscape Management

Many large fields used for experimental agriculture were excluded in addition to the footprint of buildings, parking lots and pathways.

Integrated Pest Management and Standard Operating Procedures for Pests The University of Saskatchewan Grounds Management Department has adopted an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach and supporting Standard Operating Procedures to prevent, monitor and control pests on university grounds. Objectives of the University of Saskatchewan are to: • Reduce loss or damage of plant material by pests and diseases, • Ensure proactive prevention and management of threats, and • Support and improve landscape and ecosystem health. The university’s integrated pest management consists of a four-tiered approach based on prevention, monitoring, decision making and treatment or controls. 1. Prevention: Infection and infestation is prevented through planning and managing landscaped and turfed areas. The following strategies are used to reduce the likelihood of organisms becoming a threat: • Appropriate species are selected when planting new vegetation by considering biological factors and local growing conditions, • Annual compost application and mowing are used to improve resistance to weeds, • Annual pruning, removal of plant debris and mulching improve resistance of planting beds to pests. 2. Monitoring: Pests, pest damage, and environmental conditions are monitored regularly and tracked. The following strategies are used to monitor grounds areas : • Landscaped areas and beds are assessed frequently to ensure early detection of pests, • The effectiveness of controls and treatments are also monitored. 3. Decision Making: Options for cultural, biological, mechanical and chemical controls are evaluated when pest populations are identified. Treatments are chosen that will have the least environmental impact while providing adequate control. Efforts will be made to avoid the use of pesticides where alternatives exist. The following step guide decision making: • Pest species and the extent of infestation is identified, • Appropriate management procedure is selected from the Standard Operating Procedures based on the nature and extent of the threat. 4. Treatment or controls: One or more treatment methods are used to control the pest. These may include cultural, biological, mechanical, or chemical methods. The following operating procedures are undertaken to treat the pests identified on the University of Saskatchewan grounds: Integrated Pest Management Standard Operating Procedures Trees Black Knot Prune out infected material Spruce Budworm High pressure water to remove paper caps on new growth Canker Worms Banding elm and maple trunks to trap moths Stumps Treat with Round-Up to prevent regrowth and roots from pushing suckers through asphalt pathways Beds and Plantings Thistle Remove seed heads and treat with Round-Up before flowering. Pulling is ineffective as roots grow spread underground up to 90 cm deep Quack Grass Whip down or mow and treat with Round-Up. Roots spread rapidly underground and will grow through woodchip mulch and asphalt Nodding Thistle Noxious Weed – Treat with Broad Leaf herbicide when found in grass areas and Round-Up when found – in open areas Dandelions and other weeds in beds Treat with Round-Up or Steam Wand before flowering. Digging roots out disrupts woodchip mulch in beds which allows more weed seeds to sprout Tree volunteers Pull when small. Cut to ground level when large and spray with Round-Up to prevent regrowth Aphids and other insects High pressure water as a first defense followed by insecticidal soap then an insecticide if necessary Rust and Black Spot Foliar disease – Removing leaves in fall to reduce source of infection for next year. Rusts and leaf spots are sporadic and tend to occur during humid warm weather Pathways Knotweed and Portulaca Creates tripping hazards – Whip down and treat with Round-Up or Steam Wand Greenhouse Aphids, Thrips, Spider Mites, Mealy Bugs and Scale Horticultural Oil, Insecticidal Soap, Endall Root Fungus and foliar fungus Truban Fungicide – Used on new seedlings after transplanting to prevent root rot. Used on newly potted plants Growth Regulators Used on certain plants to control height Rooting Hormones Aids in rooting difficult plants Responsibilities The Manager of Grounds Operations and Maintenance is responsible for the implementation of the IPM approach and Standard Operating Procedures and to coordinate all pest management activities. Definitions Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that establishes a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. Pests are populations of living organism (animals, plants, or microorganism) that damage or interfere with desirable plants or aesthetics, or impact human or ecosystem health.

Particularly during establishment, environmental friendly management practices are used primarily to control invasive specie. These may involve high-pressure hot water, horticulture oil and vinegar or other cultural practices like hoeing, weed whipping, or hand roto-tilling of weedy areas. Infected plant materials of existing vegetation are pruned out. In addition, native plant species or prairie hardy plants are used to replace infected plants.

Seasonal collections of plant materials (such as leaves for composting) help prevent leaves from clogging the drainage systems, especially in autumn. Green Roofs on top of the Law and Academic Health Science Buildings are planted with a variety of native hardy species which contribute to minimizing run-off from those buildings. Automatic irrigation systems with micro-climate sensors help to ensure that the quantity and time of water application is based on need. Only the driving lanes of parking lots are paved to reduce impermeable surfaces.

Most grounds waste is composted and used as the primary source of fertilizer for all grounds landscaping. Compost is also provided to campus community gardens. Larger tree trimmings are chipped and used as much as possible in planting beds.

Large historic trees providing shading across campus. Shrubs are typically planted around the exterior of buildings. A LED retrofit to outdoor lighting is underway.

Snow is removed manually on walkways to reduce damage to adjacent vegetation. We exclusively employ granular, rather than chemical, de-icing applications.