Wake Forest University
OP-10: Landscape Management

The university employs an integrated pest management system in all landscaping performed on the Reynolda Campus. A healthy sustainable landscape is dependent upon choosing the right plant for the site. The Landscaping Services department strives to use improved cultivars, disease resistant varieties and proven species whenever possible. Several cultural practices are implemented in a successful IPM program. Soil is amended to promote healthy vigorous plants. Mulches are used to suppress weeds, insulate the soil and regulate moisture. Turf is mowed at regular intervals at the proper height and fertilized per North Carolina Department of Agriculture recommendations. Proper pruning is practiced on all trees and shrubs in accordance with the specifications outlined in the Campus Tree Care Plan. A wide variety of species including many native plants are planted not only for visual interest but for genetic diversity. Older, more disease prone varieties are gradually removed and replaced with disease and insect resistant varieties. In 2010, the university employed a local goatscaping company, Piedmont Goatscapers, to help fight a kudzu and English ivy infestation in a wooded area of campus without the use of harmful chemicals and damaging heavy equipment.

The university features both native and non-native species in landscaping. Approximately 85 percent of plantings are native species in all new landscaping. All plantings are within hardiness zone 7. As time and resources permit invasive species are removed either by pulling, digging or chemical means. Several student groups have assisted in removing English Ivy by hand pulling. Tree assessments are done on new building sites prior to final plans to identity important trees to save.

Facilities Management uses all wood chips from landscaping projects as mulch for projects around campus or as part of a compost mixture. The university's abundant leaves are donated to local organic gardens such as the Second Harvest Food Bank garden at the Children's Home Inc. for use as compost in their extensive gardens because of the lack of a large-scale composting site on the internal core of Reynolda Campus. These donated leaves travel only 2.4 miles to their final destination and the university does not pay for any removal of urban yard waste. Leaves have also been used in the Campus Garden to enrich the compost.

In 2015 we began using bio-activated carbon or biochar as a soil amendment. This was spread over the lawns at Dogwood and Magnolia residence halls, North Campus Dining and Farrell Hall and incorporated into the renovated landscape at Wait Chapel. Biochar helps improve soil structure and promotes healthy biology and mychorizae. All new plantings are amended with compost and or organic amendments. Hollytone is used as a organic fertilizer in new plantings.

All organic mulches and the biochar used on campus in produced in state. Our fertilizer vendor/manufacturer is located within 2 miles of campus. We routinely reuse granite pavers salvaged from University Corporate Center for building patios and walkways on campus and other univesity owned property. Boulders exposed during excavations are saved for use in the landscape. Most nursery purchases come from less than 1.5 hours from campus.

Several lawn areas have been converted to more natural woodland plantings with leaf litter and wood chips as a groundcover. Natural swales are encouraged over piping whenever possible. These are generally planted with attractive native plants. A number of attractive dry or faux streams have been installed with a great deal of native plant diversity used in and around these areas. A rain garden at Winston Hall features recylced concrete drip zone to buffer leachate from the copper roof. In an ongoing process invasive plants are being removed along Silas Creek and being replaced with native plants.

Bare-Ground Liquid De-Icer a plant friendly product is used on highly sensitive areas. Brining streets before storms reduces labor and subesequent salt treatments. New snow RTV and mower mounted plows helps to remove the bulk of snow and ice in a timely manner which reduces refreezing and therefore salt use.