University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
OP-9: Landscape Management

70 acres are under buildings and pavement.

All beds that are part of the permaculture project and contain edibles are hand weeded, and only use organic fertilizers.

We only use pesticides and herbicides when the life of a plant is at risk. For example, ash trees must be protected from the emerald ash borer if we are to maintain a population of ash trees on campus. The campus works with varieties of plants that are resistant to the insects or diseases or takes the approach that if it will not kill the plant we will allow the time period to ride itself out. In regards to herbicide we try to do as much hand weeding as possible and have taken to using planting techniques that allow for less open soil or don't allow for good growing conditions for weed seed(gravel gardens). We are currently working on improving the soil in the turf areas in an effort to produce a stronger grass plant which will have a better chance of competing with the "weeds". We are working with classes to change the perspective on weeds so that they may see the beneficial nature of the plants.

We try to repurpose as much of the plant material we have on campus, knowing that these plants have shown themselves to be tolerant of our soils and weather conditions. We have numerous areas of native planting such as prairies and woodland. We are adding more of these planting with each year understanding the importance of the prairie plants in the conditioning of the soil, food sources for our butterflies and bees and hardy nature in regards to water needs. We are still currently working to eliminate the invasive species on campus. We have a couple patches of garlic mustard and small buckthorn. We have been attacking these plants using cultural practice and trying to avoid using chemicals. The plants have not spread but the areas have not been eliminated either.

We have very heavy clay soils that are not conducive to growing turf grass. Although turf grass is a mono culture and not native to this area the turf is needed for play places on campus. We have taken to soil modification using our own Titan Gold compost, gypsum, compost tea and organic fertilizers like worm casting or milorganite. We are using cultural practices (aerating) to get the products in the soil at a greater speed and then allowing the worms to disperse the products deeper into the soil.

The Campus Sustainability Plan adopted in 2015 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.
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 university has installed and maintains more than 25 bioswales that contain native plants and serve as a natural water filtration system, as the campus is immediately adjacent to the Fox River, and is part of the storm water management plant. The Grounds department emphasized dormancy during drought periods, and does not water turf. There are 4 500 gallon water tanks that were purchased through the student Green Fund, rather than drawing from the City water system, which meet the university's watering needs for water such as for new trees and edibles.

The Campus Sustainability Plan adopted in 2015 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.

There are two buildings with green roofs to assist in insulation, water run-off, and radiant heat. The academic building Sage has a 5,203 sq ft. green roof. Trees are being systematically planted to shade buildings in the summer with deciduous trees.

The Campus Sustainability Plan adopted in 2015 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 Grounds team regularly attends trainings and equipment demos to investigate uses of brine and other environmentally-preferable chemicals.

Total campus area is actually 170 acres (including the 70 acres for the building/excluded acreage*