Ball State University
OP-10: Landscape Management

Ball State University’s Landscape Services has long practiced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, first implementing this approach in 1993. The university’s grounds were developed and maintained in accordance with the following four-tiered approach: 1) Set action thresholds, 2) Monitor and identify pests, 3) Prevention and 4) Control. All areas of campus are covered by the IPM program, but the threshold levels may vary.

In July 2015 Ball State became a Level II accredited arboretum through the Morton Arboretum ArbNet program. To obtain accreditation the BSU arboretum developed and implemented a tree management plan including the management and elimination of invasive trees. All campus trees are inventoried using GIS software. Native plants are used throughout campus whenever possible, including trees, shrubs, ground covers and perennials. The arboretum's website can be found at: www.bsu.edu/arboretum.

Native plants are used in regular landscape beds throughout campus and it is considered to be an integral part of the IPM program. The campus maintains approximately 12 acres of native plants, which include a short grass prairie, riparian creek banks and bioswales areas. All new LEED building design and landscape schemes call for native plantings. For example, a recent planting scheme included coneflower, prairie dropseed, little bluestem, New England aster and black-eyed Susan.

Ball State has maintained a composting operation since 1993. Brush, wood wastes, pallets, old furniture, leaves and manure are collected. Wood wastes, pallets, furniture and brush are ground and then mixed with leaves and manure for composting. Grass clippings are not collected from the campus lawns unless the weather delays mowing enough to require it. The composting process takes approximately one year to complete. Approximately 4,000 cubic yards of finished compost is created each year. It is used in the campus lawns and landscape beds. Wood tree wastes are ground and composted separately to be used as mulch in outlying landscape beds. Use of this mulch has reduced the amount of purchased bark mulch by 25%.

Landscape Services uses organic fertilizer for the campus lawns. The product is applied in the fall. This has reduced surge growth during the spring thereby reducing excessive grass clippings. All grass clippings are left on the lawns unless excessive. If clippings are collected they are used in the campus composting operation. Lawns are aerated yearly to reduce compaction, improve air and water infiltration. New lawn areas receive a top dressing of compost prior to seeding.

Several recycled products are used in the grounds operation. Nearly all car stops are made of recycled plastic. New trash/recycling dumpsters are also made of recycled plastic. The hydro mulch used in campus lawn installation is a mix of 80% recycled paper and 20% wood pulp.

Rainwater is collected from the roof of the North Grounds building into a 5000 gallon tank for use in watering annual beds and newly planted trees. Cardinal Creek and the three ponds are planted with 1.2 acres of native plantings. These plantings not only protect the shoreline but act as natural filters for storm water. The University maintains 13,569 square feet of pervious pavement, 17.5 acres of low mow grass and 9.6 acres of a short grass prairie.

The University snow removal plan is based upon the amount of snow and whether students are in residence. This plan is not so much a document for general reading but rather an internal guideline for Landscape Services employees to perform their responsibilities. It is comprised primarily of plow routes and snow storage locations. Landscape Services is responsible for clearing all streets, walks, parking lots and drives on campus. Parking lots: 73.75 acres Sidewalks: 170,523 Linear Feet Lane Miles: 121,004 Linear Feet Equipment used includes plow trucks, rotary brooms or blades, and heavy equipment. Once pavements are cleared, salt products are applied with equipment or by hand if necessary. Sodium chloride (road salt) is used on streets and drives and an ice-melter mix of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and sodium chloride is used on walks, ramps and steps. A liquid ice-melter is used to pretreat surfaces before a snow event, when snowfalls are less than 1/2" and to pre-wet road salt as it's applied. This has reduced the amount of road salt needed for control and increased operating efficiency.