Western Michigan University
OP-10: Landscape Management

WMU Landscape Services is committed to sustainability as we tackle our day to day duties and future planning. Such management practices include but are not limited to grinding our woody plant debris into usable landscape mulch to be applied back on campus. Using mowers that have mulching decks to return grass back to the soil which in turn takes advantage of the available nutrients and returns them back to the soil for plant uptake. In 2013 alone we used 250 gallons of recycled vegetable oil in our vegetable oil converted mower. Beet juice is added to our salt for ice removal. The beet juice lowers the eutectic temperature allowing the salt to be more effective at lower temperatures. Beet juice also aids in increasing the weight of the salt lowering the percentage of off target applications by reducing the “bounce off” effect. Compost is added to planting beds to help retain moisture which decreases water usage. The compost also helps to retain available nutrients while reducing fertilization. Automatic irrigation systems are in use to help control water usage. Roof top gardens are in place to help lower building heating and cooling cost plus deal with storm water. Continued and future plans include: Expanding our irrigation systems’ use of evapotranspiration rates; investigating the use of soil sensors; investigating the use of lower emission equipment such as: back pack blowers, weed whips, mowers and transport vehicles; investigating the recycling of storm and grey water to irrigate; continuing to work on our best management practices so they are as efficient as possible; working toward having Landscape Services located in one location rather than the current separation to increase efficiency while reducing wasted travel time as well as a new facility that would include a pesticide loading bay and storage. http://www.fm.wmich.edu/lss/governing_documents

WMU Landscape Services and Natural Areas and Preserves professionals review all campus landscape plans for appropriate plant material. Priority is given to incorporating the existing native and horticultural material existing on site as well as selecting new plant material that is adapted to the site and design. Michigan grown native plants and horticultural varieties adapted to Michigan soils and climate are given priority. Plants considered to be exotic and/or invasive are removed from the plant list and suitable substitutions provided.

WMU Landscape Services is committed to reducing the amount of water lost due to irrigation. This has been dealt with by using ET rates to better understand watering needs, watering during times when evaporation loss is reduced, using appropriate plant material, encouraging the development of our soils to help retain moisture rather than promote runoff. Landscape Services has been managing our plant waste by stockpiling then grinding into suitable mulch for our landscape. Mulching mowers have eliminated the land fill usage needed to deal with grass clippings. Any plastic containers used for flowers are recycled at local recycling locations. Soilless plant mixes used for planting containers is composted later to be used in landscape beds. We continue to enhance and establish new storm water features to manage storm water. We are working toward having Landscape Services located in one location rather than the current separation. This would increase efficiency while reducing wasted travel time. http://www.fm.wmich.edu/lss/governing_documents.

WMU Landscape Services is committed to improving soil life and conditions. Inorganic fertilizers have been replaced with organic grade fertilizers such as Milorganite in most areas. A few smaller turf areas are still fertilized with inorganics. Lawn areas are bi-annually aerated and some are top dressed with compost. Our lawns also benefit from the mulching mower decks that are used to return finely cut clippings back to the soil. We have also begun the process of using compost tea as a soil builder. We are currently in the process of improving our “brew” and finalizing a management plan for its use. Our tree care program also takes advantage of the planting process to improve soil life. Mycorrhizae and compost are incorporated into the planting hole soil to help with the establishment period and beyond. We also use leaf mold where appropriate to mulch. All landscaped trees are mulched using our hardwood mulch produced during our chipping process. We are also committed to working with our campus planning team to plan in the protection and installation of healthy soil. Construction work takes quite a toll on the soil so construction specifications are in place to protect the soil from excessive compaction, tilling during wet conditions and removing and storing top soil for later use. The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available at: http://www.fm.wmich.edu/lss/governing_documents

Native plant material used in landscape construction is purchased from Michigan sources with Michigan genotypes preferred. Native plants propagated from native seed collected on University properties and grown in University greenhouse facilities have been used in rain gardens, storm water features and gardens throughout the University. Wood chips generated from the take down of damaged campus trees are used for mulch in gardens and for tree rings.

WMU is committed to a goal of storm water neutrality. In order that rain and snow melt falling on impervious surfaces is processed prior to retuning to surface waters or the aquifer, all new construction provides for capture, retention, detention and infiltration in the design. Campus construction includes the use of cisterns, basins, rain gardens, plant buffer zone and green roof material to accomplish this goal. The WMU Business Research Technology Park includes 20 acres of landscape that acts as a storm water management area.

Our truck mounted beet juice and brine sprayer has been calibrated to reduce the usage per lane mile. Beet juice is also used to impregnate our rock salt. This helps to reduce the eutectic temperature and adds weight keeping the salt in place and reducing off target application. http://www.fm.wmich.edu/lss/snow

Asylum Lake Preserve is a 278 acre parcel including two lakes, prairie reconstruction, Oak savanna and mature Oak woodlands and wetland. The Preserve is governed by a council made up of University and community members and is actively managed for “ecosystem health, passive recreation, education and research.” Kleinstuck Preserve is a 48 acre wooded wetland in the heart of Kalamazoo managed by WMU under a 1922 deed specifying the preserve to be used for “education and research.” http://www.fm.wmich.edu/operations/landscaping/natural_areas/kleinstuck_preserve http://www.wmich.edu/asylumlake/"