University of Wisconsin-River Falls
OP-10: Landscape Management

UWRF maintains 220 acres of turf and landscaped areas, athletic and intramural fields, shrub and flower beds, flood plains, prairies, wetlands, sidewalks, parking lots, streets, and trails. UWRF also has lab farms that are maintained separately by the agricultural science department and therefore are not included in the grounds calculation. UWRF follows the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture IPM Plan, to include all of its athletic fields: "DATCP operates Wisconsin's School IPM program to reduce the need to rely on chemical pesticides when dealing with pests on school grounds. In partnership with the University of Wisconsin Extension Entomology and Horticulture Departments, the DATCP assists Wisconsin's schools in a balanced approach to control the risks posed by pests and the risks from the exclusive use of pesticides. Some pests can carry allergens, bacteria, viruses or cause venomous stings. Pesticides are toxic chemicals that should be used only when it is clear that practical, non-pesticide methods will not be able to control the pest problem. In an IPM approach, considerable effort is also put toward preventing pest problems by controlling conditions that may attract and support pests. For example, to control an infestation of pavement ants in a classroom, placing ant baits (pesticides) in areas inaccessible to children, or applying gel baits to baseboards might be effective control options. However, Wisconsin schools have experienced repeat problems because pesticides alone, do not usually achieve long term control. Some schools have also received complaints when repeated, frequent application of a pesticide takes place in areas where children are present every day. For long-term pest control, it is essential to identify why the infestation arose in the first place. Non-chemical controls such as sealing cracks and crevices to prevent access, improving sanitation around food preparation, waste/recycling storage areas, and limiting where food can be eaten will help prevent the problem. IPM addresses the cause of the problem (food scraps and crumbs throughout the building) to avoid the development of the symptoms (the ant infestation). Depending on the type of pest(s), condition of school facilities, resources, and commitment of the administration and staff, IPM plans take many forms. We can assist your school in customizing an IPM plan that meets your needs and is flexible. We offer free on-site pest management consultation, and on-site and off-site IPM training sessions for your school staff, so your school personnel can gain the skills needed to maximize pest control while minimizing pesticide risks to students and staff." -Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection

Because irrigation is lightly used in most areas of the campus grounds, native grasses and plants are used as the primary focus of landscape plantings. The Campus Mall Plan designed in 2013 also pays very close attention to the stormwater opportunities as well as the use of native plants exclusively. It is very mindful of the operation and maintenance of said area.

No formal program exists; however, in practice native plant species are used extensively in landscaping, including heat and drought resistant species. In Recent construction projects the University has installed sustainably-designed landscapes. Examples of these would be the native plantings and rain gardens at Ames Hall, O lot, Q lot and the Falcon Center currently under construction.

Most lawns are mowed with mulching mowers to reduce grass clippings. When clippings are picked up (sometimes on the athletic fields) they along with leaf litter, leaves and other herbaceous material are composted on campus and the compost is reused in campus projects.

The student organization called SALSA maintains a research plot of about 2800 square feet. They use organic fertilizers and green compost on it.

We try when possible to use local and native material in our landscaping. For example when we rebuilt the seating tiers at the Amphitheater several years ago we salvaged the limestone and have used it in several campus landscaping projects. We also try to use primarily native plantings in our campus landscapes.

The campus has installed several rain gardens and detention ponds to allow storm water infiltration. We also had a project to clean out a detention pond that was installed 20 years ago in N lot and had silted full. With the construction of the new Falcon Center two large retention ponds were created to hold runoff for the parking lots and the building. The parking lots also included vegetative swales to capture and infiltrate stormwater.

In 2009 UWRF began using liquid magnesium chloride on walks to reduce the amount of sand/salt usage. In 2011, a storage building for salt/sand was constructed to house all sand and salt in a covered building and will greatly reduce the potential leeching of salt and sand into the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River. Due to a more aggressive plowing schedule and better snow removal equipment, the campus has reduced it's salt/sand usage by 50% in the past 5 years.

According to the City of River Falls in past discussions with Jim Devlin from the DNR, the South Fork is listed as a Special Natural Resource Interest (ASNRI). In further discussion, it is thought that in the future, it could be listed as an exceptional resource water (ERW). The City of River Falls does identify the Kinnickinnic as an outstanding resource water (ORW) at this time. Special attention is made to this campus and community resource in terms of stormwater management as well as invasive species control.