West Chester University of Pennsylvania
OP-9: Landscape Management

Impervious property is excluded from the area of managed grounds. Impervious land includes: campus roads, pathways, sidewalks, parking lots, building footprints, athletic courts and track.

Best practices of organic management include mechanical seasonal pruning. Sometimes this is combined with an application of our organic compost which is created on campus.

The goals of the West Chester IPM Plan are to minimize the impact of site management practices on the local environment, and to reduce the exposure of occupants, staff and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemical, biological and particle contaminants. Core elements of the IPM include: Use of least-toxic chemical pesticides, Minimum use of chemicals, Use of chemicals and pesticides only in targeted locations and for targeted species, Routine inspection and monitoring, Proactive communication.

There exists an abundance of biodiversity of plant and animal species at WCU, especially in the Gordon Natural Area. Concerned students and staff take great care in preserving these living treasures. In 2007, 506 species of plants were observed in the Gordon Natural Area. Some tree species you may encounter include tulip poplar, beech, Norway maple, flowering dogwood, and red maple. Today, the Gordon mainly consists of beech trees, but tulip poplars are estimated to become the predominant tree species in the coming years. Currently, a tree restoration project is underway called TreeVitalize. The goal of the project is to restore the upper plain of the Gordon, which has been demolished by deer, with native trees. Students and staff maintain the trees by watering them and measuring their growth.
Some native flowers and shrubs include may-apple, spice bush, jewel weed, and Virginia creeper. A number of invasives threaten the Gordon such as garlic mustard, oriental bittersweet, mile-a-minute weed, and multiflora rose. In 2007, 162 or 32% of the 506 species of plants were non-native with 7 being state-listed species and 42 considered highly invasive.
Currently, a project supported by DCNR has been underway to study how deer and non-native invasive plants influence native plants. You can observe these fenced in demonstration areas when visiting the Gordon Natural Area.

WCU has maintained a proactive approach to hydrology and water use. Yearly investments are made to campus infrastructure in terms of MS4 improvements. This includes the incorporation of pervious pavers, rain gardens, drainage basins. Research into salinity levels at outsources. WCU maintains a conservative approach to water use. Irrigation is limited to our Academic Quad area.

WCU maintains a composting facility for leaves, brush and organic debris. The accumulation of brush/debris is double tub ground producing a mulch which is then allowed to sit and compost. This compost is later sifted and added to topdressing as soil amendments.

Responses provided by Josh Braid, Grounds Manager, Facilities Division (jbraid@wcupa.edu).