University of Wisconsin-River Falls
OP-9: Landscape Management

UWRF buildings, research plots, student garden, sections along the river that runs through campus, the two campus forests, and two lab farms are not included in the managed grounds calculation.

Student organization called SALSA maintains a research plot of 2800 square feet. They use organic fertilizers and green composting program. Not included in Managed Grounds Calculation.

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 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 the 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

Native grasses, shrubs, trees and perennial plants, are used as the primary focus of landscape plantings. The mature and established trees located in central campus, such as oaks, white pines and elms, have become an iconic treasure of campus and are routinely inspected and maintenance to ensure health and safety. ‘Buddy planting’ or planting in anticipation of EAB damaging our existing campus Ash trees have become a recent focus and will be implemented in our Tree Management plan in 2021. This allows for other native or hardy tree selections to be planted nearby and develop some growth before the loss of the Ash tree.

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. Landscape updates to the University Center, South Fork Suites, Ames Suites, and Rodli Hall have all focused on native planting selections and stormwater run-off management in their new designs and implementation.

The campus has installed several rain gardens and retention ponds throughout campus to allow storm water infiltration. A large detention pond located south of our large student lot is maintenance as needed once full of silt. The detention area has been updated with willow tree and other filtration plantings to help prevent run-off to the nearby Kinnickinnic.

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 filled with native trees, ornamental grasses and flowering perennials to capture and infiltrate stormwater.

A new rain garden was design by Agriculture Engineering Students and installed south of the campus greenhouse. This design and implementation included a water management plan, selection and planting of native flowering perennials and grasses.

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

All tree and plant material from pruning and clean-up projects are broken down and disposed of at River Falls City Composting site as available.

We salvaged the limestone, old boulders from tearing down of old buildings and have used them in several campus landscaping projects around campus including creating additional outdoor seating areas. We have also dug up and split perennials, ornamental grasses, and shrubs across campus to help reuse healthy plant material.

When building renovations and updates take place, placement of evergreen and shade trees for lowering heating and cooling costs is evaluated and included when possible in landscaping plans. Foundation plantings for stormwater and gutter run-off is also incorporated into landscape designs when possible.

We also try to use primarily native plantings in our campus landscapes when possible. If not available or appropriate for specific situation, we try to use hardy plant material sourced from local greenhouses. By installing ‘right plant, right place’, we limit the amount of labor, gas-powered maintenance equipment, and other landscape supplies needed to maintain a safe and beautiful landscape design.

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.

Prescribed burning is also being utilized in specific landscape areas including in parking lot swales, along major roads to help control ornamental grasses and maintenance required. This allows for minimal cleanup and labor requirements to maintain large areas on campus.