York University
OP-9: Landscape Management

These values excludes the Keele parking lots.

York University follows an Integrated Pest Management strategy:
The IPM strategy used by York aims to prevent and reduce the occurrence of pests through cultural techniques, such as maintaining good building cleanliness and encouraging individuals to dispose of food waste in outdoor compost digesters or kitchenette organic waste bins. In the event that pest control is required, highly localized and species-specific chemical controls may be applied in strict adherence with Ontario Ministry of the Environment regulations (https://www.ontario.ca/page/pesticide-licences-and-permits) and York University’s Standard Operating Procedures for health, safety, environmental protection and the provision of information.

York University’s Standard Operating Procedures (http://www.yorku.ca/csbo/documents/CSBO%20Spray%20Days%20SOP%200803.pdf) state that it is imperative that activities producing fumes, odours, or spray drift be carried out in such a manner that insect, animal and plant research is protected."

York University follows an Integrated Pest Management strategy:
The IPM strategy used by York aims to prevent and reduce the occurrence of pests through cultural techniques, such as maintaining good building cleanliness and encouraging individuals to dispose of food waste in outdoor compost digesters or kitchenette organic waste bins. In the event that pest control is required, highly localized and species-specific chemical controls may be applied in strict adherence with Ontario Ministry of the Environment regulations (https://www.ontario.ca/page/pesticide-licences-and-permits) and York University’s Standard Operating Procedures for health, safety, environmental protection and the provision of information.

York University’s Standard Operating Procedures (http://www.yorku.ca/csbo/documents/CSBO%20Spray%20Days%20SOP%200803.pdf) state that it is imperative that activities producing fumes, odours, or spray drift be carried out in such a manner that insect, animal and plant research is protected."

York University is committed to protecting and enhancing our campuses, heritage assets and natural green spaces - including woodlots, gardens, and parks. Grounds planting prioritizes native and xeriscape gardens on campus, which focuses on native, drought resistant plants that require little or no irrigation. We hold semi-annual community tree planting events in collaboration with Regenesis and the City of Toronto.

York University’s creative landscaping helps to conserve water while respecting the water supply.
(1) York's Xeriscape garden and buildings with green roofs help to reduce water use by up to 50% less than a traditional landscape; it also requires less fertilizer, less pruning, and less mowing. The University is moving towards xeriscaping, which focuses on native, drought resistant plants that require little or no irrigation. New plants are typically watered only to allow them to take root.
(2) The University also has eight full and/or partial green roofs which helps to reduce the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff and help advance urban biodiversity.
(3) Two ponds, Stong pond and Tennis Canada pond have also been constructed which are serve as retention ponds to prevent flooding during heavy rain and storms.
(4) York uses landscape features to maintain the natural hydrology of campus. Bio swales have been constructed throughout the campus in locations where they can collect and filter storm water naturally before it runs into drains.
(5) The landscape of the Life Sciences Building incorporates several innovative sustainability initiatives that are integrated with internal building functions including a rainwater harvesting and filtration system that supplies water for flushing and cleaning of laboratory areas, an on-site stormwater attenuation, filtration and infiltration systems"

The university recycles yard waste and uses it as mulch around planting areas (trees, shrubs, perennials, etc). We also leave all grass clippings during our grass cutting operations and mulch tree materials (wood chips, leaves, etc), which are applied back to the campus grounds.

Facilities utilizes an integrated management of the University landscape through responsible planning, design, development, renovation and maintenance in order to achieve a sustainable landscape. (1) The Life Sciences Building at York University is a state-of-the-art academic and research facility. The landscape incorporates several innovative sustainability initiatives that are integrated with internal building functions including high reflectivity paving materials to help maintain cooler temperatures than traditional pavements and prevent extreme heat events.

York strives to minimize the use of rock salt for environmental reasons, to reduce corrosion and to avoid tracking salt into buildings. As such, a mixture of sand and salt is utilized for de-icing purposes. Straight rock salt may be used during an ice storm or freezing rain situation. Potassium chloride pellets are used on concrete surfaces or at entrances and stairways in order to minimize corrosion.