University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
OP-10: Landscape Management

Action Plan: • Maximize the use of locally sourced, native plant material that is well suited for the local environment. Such plant material will require less fertilizer, irrigation, or pesticide. Emphasis should be placed upon perennials rather than annuals. • Utilize the widest genetic base among individual species. • Eliminate existing invasive exotic species. • Include endangered, rare species to the extent possible. • Include useful plants (e.g., pest deterrents, nitrogen-fixing plants, edibles and medicinals) for pedagogical and practical purposes. • Reduce turf area and monocultures in favor of diverse native ground covers, tree canopies, understory trees and shrubbery. • Maintain and update the campus tree inventory on an annual basis. Continue to participate in Tree Campus U.S.A.

Action Plan: • Maximize the use of locally sourced, native plant material that is well suited for the local environment. Such plant material will require less fertilizer, irrigation, or pesticide. Emphasis should be placed upon perennials rather than annuals. • Utilize the widest genetic base among individual species. • Eliminate existing invasive exotic species. • Include endangered, rare species to the extent possible. • Include useful plants (e.g., pest deterrents, nitrogen-fixing plants, edibles and medicinals) for pedagogical and practical purposes. • Reduce turf area and monocultures in favor of diverse native ground covers, tree canopies, understory trees and shrubbery. • Maintain and update the campus tree inventory on an annual basis. Continue to participate in Tree Campus U.S.A.

The Campus Sustainability Plan adopted in 2008 notes that the campus has a history of educational plantings, including native prairie, and for the extensive riverfront to retain and encourage native trees and vegetation. The campus riverfront includes a state trail and Shapiro Park. For policies, the plan recommends: 1) increasing the planting of native species, and removal of invasive non-native species; 2) creation of more native prairie plantings. Native tree preference is also stated in the Campus Tree Care Plan developed in 2010 for a successful Tree Campus USA application

The Campus Sustainability Plan adopted in 2008 notes that the campus has a history of using mulching lawnmowers, mulching leaves into turf areas in the fall, and chipping wood landscaping refuse to make mulch for campus shrubs and flower beds. In 2009, the Sustainability Office and Facilities Management co-funded the purchase of a compost tea machine to produce organic fertilizer. Starting in 2011, yard waste is diverted to the campus biodigester, from which solids are sent to a commercial composter.

Action Plan: • Maximize the use of locally sourced, native plant material that is well suited for the local environment. Such plant material will require less fertilizer, irrigation, or pesticide. Emphasis should be placed upon perennials rather than annuals. • Utilize the widest genetic base among individual species. • Eliminate existing invasive exotic species. • Include endangered, rare species to the extent possible. • Include useful plants (e.g., pest deterrents, nitrogen-fixing plants, edibles and medicinals) for pedagogical and practical purposes. • Reduce turf area and monocultures in favor of diverse native ground covers, tree canopies, understory trees and shrubbery. • Maintain and update the campus tree inventory on an annual basis. Continue to participate in Tree Campus U.S.A.

Action Plan: • Maximize the use of locally sourced, native plant material that is well suited for the local environment. Such plant material will require less fertilizer, irrigation, or pesticide. Emphasis should be placed upon perennials rather than annuals. • Utilize the widest genetic base among individual species. • Eliminate existing invasive exotic species. • Include endangered, rare species to the extent possible. • Include useful plants (e.g., pest deterrents, nitrogen-fixing plants, edibles and medicinals) for pedagogical and practical purposes. • Reduce turf area and monocultures in favor of diverse native ground covers, tree canopies, understory trees and shrubbery. • Maintain and update the campus tree inventory on an annual basis. Continue to participate in Tree Campus U.S.A.

Action Plan: • Maximize the use of locally sourced, native plant material that is well suited for the local environment. Such plant material will require less fertilizer, irrigation, or pesticide. Emphasis should be placed upon perennials rather than annuals. • Utilize the widest genetic base among individual species. • Eliminate existing invasive exotic species. • Include endangered, rare species to the extent possible. • Include useful plants (e.g., pest deterrents, nitrogen-fixing plants, edibles and medicinals) for pedagogical and practical purposes. • Reduce turf area and monocultures in favor of diverse native ground covers, tree canopies, understory trees and shrubbery. • Maintain and update the campus tree inventory on an annual basis. Continue to participate in Tree Campus U.S.A.

The Campus Sustainability Plan adopted in 2008 notes that the campus has a history of using an environmentally safer ice melting chemical treatment on sidewalks. The campus also maintains an excellent snow removal team, and recently upgraded the plow tractors used to clear walkways -- good mechanical removal of snow is our main strategy for minimizing the need for ice melting chemicals. Sand is used in parking areas, and the university uses a street sweeper to clean up sand and keep it from entering stormwater runoff.

The University manages a state trail along the riverfront.