University of Southern California
OP-9: Landscape Management

No land was excluded.

At the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center/Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (WMSC), the grounds are primarily wild and minimally landscaped. Most of WMSC groundskeeping is directed toward fire fuel-load mitigation as directed by the LA County Fire Department. This includes weed abatement and tree trimming. WMSC grounds do not use any pesticides or fertilizers.

USC’s UPC and HSC grounds are managed using IPM principles. Specific grounds management varies slightly among USC UPC and HSC campuses, as well as the Athletic fields/turf. Management for each of these USC properties are described in detail below.

At UPC and HSC campus grounds, when a pest and host are identified, these teams first work to determine conditions that led to infestation and make necessary adjustments to mitigate the problem. They prioritize the use of biological pest control methods and mechanical means (biopesticides, aeration, trimming, removal), then use the mildest pest control option possible. Selected chemical pesticides are only used when absolutely necessary. The USC Grounds team prioritizes the use of organic fertilizers and biological pest control techniques as much as possible. When pests are identified on USC campuses, USC Grounds determines whether a biological pest control option exists, such as introducing a natural predatory insect for the pest. If no such option exists, USC grounds at UPC prioritizes the mildest available pest control product, such as insecticidal soap and natural oils like Neem Oil. If these techniques are ineffective at controlling the pest problem, USC Grounds may use “Caution” labeled pesticides and foliar sprays, and/or will consult specialists to determine how best to control the pest. This may involve learning the life cycle of the pest, when it is most active, and what part of the plant it attacks. USC Grounds is committed to understanding the physical conditions that make plants susceptible to pests -- such as soil compaction and irrigation -- and is committed to taking the appropriate steps to change physical conditions through soil aeration, trimming, changes in watering patterns, and other methods to mitigate the problem.

The Athletic Fields at USC are maintained at the highest level possible, taking into account player safety, durability, and sustainability. Including the Coliseum, USC has approx. 380,000 sq ft of natural grass athletic fields, as well as about 100,000 sq ft of artificial turf. An organic 5-3-2 slow release fertilizer made of dehydrated poultry manure is used once every two – three months to supplement the turf management program. Athletic grounds staff follow an extensive preventative IPM program. Most of it is preventative, with trying to create the healthiest turf daily that can fight off pests, and if a pest is identified, the turf can demonstrate a high tolerance to it before any action towards the pest needs to be taken. Biological pest control is used as a first choice when applicable. Other sustainable features include collecting green waste clippings from the field in green waste only bins, as well as utilizing artificial turf in extremely high traffic areas with a cork/sand infill, instead of crumb rubber when given the opportunity.

On August 18th, 2023, USC FPM published the USC Native and Climate Adapted Plant MASTER PLAN: A Toolkit For Planning and Implementation of Nature-Based Resiliency and Sustainability Measures (attached) to provide climate-adaptive grounds management at USC. This plan was the result of multiple roundtable meetings composed of staff, faculty and students that were invested in designing a sustainable landscape management plan centered around climate-adaptation and enhancing native biodiversity. This plan provides guidelines for future landscape management and native and drought tolerant plant recommendations (see attached file).

The main managed area on WMSC grounds is known locally as the "green ravine". This creekbed runs through the center off the campus and receives all stormwater run-off from the three watersheds surrounding the campus. To help manage this run-off, which discharges into the adjacent Big Fishermans Cove within a Marine Protected Area, WMSC staff and various student groups have recently planted over 200 native plants. This test plot is integrated with a series of native rock check dams to slow run-off and allow these planted green swales to filter suspended particulates and reduce the total amount of soil being discharged into the cove.

On USC's UPC and HSC grounds, drought-tolerant landscaping has been expanded wherever possible, and centrally controlled and “smart” drip irrigation systems are increasing watering efficiency. 43% savings in water usage has been realized from landscapes that incorporated or converted to drought-tolerant foliage. Project managers have been trained and advised to incorporate drought-tolerant and native plants in all new landscaping.

Eleven native plant test gardens on the University Park Campus have been implemented to understand the ideal conditions and required maintenance for various native species. These plant beds can be seen on USC’s Sustainability Map here: https://sustainability.usc.edu/take-action/map/ In addition, faculty at USC (lead by Dr. Jen Toy) have implemented several native plant ‘Test Plots’ on USC campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods: https://sites.usc.edu/landscape-justice-initiative/2021/01/12/usc-terremoto-test-plot-project/ These projects have helped inform the new USC Native and Climate Adapted Plant MASTER PLAN (attached).

The turf on athletic grounds is primarily composed of Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass due to its resilience and drought tolerance. Tahoma 31 was bred with improved drought resistance in mind. This special grass has deep roots, and depends on a reduced amount of water to maintain healthy growth. Irrigation on all our fields is always done with water conservation in mind. The Athletic fields management team conducts daily walks around the field at 20-30 spots with a moisture sensor telling exactly what moisture is in the soil. Only if the meter reads on the verge of wilting is the turf then irrigated.

USC Wrigley grounds approaches to managing stormwater runoff are described above. Irrigation is not used on USC Wrigley grounds as it is primarily a wild and natural system.

Drought-tolerant landscaping and drip-irrigation systems on UPC and HSC campuses have resulted in a 43% decrease in landscaping water use (since prior to the implementation of these measures).

In addition, six separate filters and deep dry wells at USC Village treat rain runoff before sending it to recharge the groundwater aquifer. USC Village’s system can treat and infiltrate 26,000 cubic feet of rain runoff and is an important component of USC’s resilience planning.

Approximately 40 water-runoff management systems have been installed at UPC since 2000, and all construction that adds or changes more than 500 square feet of hardscape must capture, treat and infiltrate stormwater runoff.

All uncontaminated green waste is collected and hauled away by Republic Services and Universal Waste Systems, and is ultimately composted at off-campus composting facilities.

USC’s University Park Campus has become the first campus in the United States to be certified as a “green zone” by the American Green Zone Alliance, an independent education, training and certification agency. To earn this certification, the USC Grounds team transitioned gas-powered equipment to electric equipment. The American Green Zone Alliance estimates that USC’s investment in this transition to new equipment will result in annual reductions of 89 tons of greenhouse gases and 15 tons of smog-forming exhaust annually.

Website link: https://news.usc.edu/185057/usc-battery-powered-leaf-blowers-university-park-campus-green-zone/

Managed grounds include UPC and HSC campus (including the medical part of campus (USC Keck) since the land is shared across academic and medical parts of this campus), as well as the athletic turf/grounds and the land area of Catalina Island owned by USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (Wrigley Marine Science Center).

Data is up to date as of 11/14/23.