North Carolina State University
OP-10: Landscape Management

NC State's Integrated Pest Manage Program is based on Grounds Management’s Integrated Vegetation and Pest Management Policy (IVMP). It sets forth the purpose, principles, regulatory compliance, and roles and responsibilities. IVMP stipulates vegetation and pests be managed by: - Utilizing an ecological approach that minimizes the risk to human health and the environment. - Considering the community values in establishing standards of maintenance for NC State’s facilities. - Minimizing the use of pesticides to minimize the negative impacts on non-target organisms. - Best preserves natural or manage ecosystems.

Multiple university committees and management units are involved in the construction and renovation of campus buildings, planned landscape additions associated with new buildings or major renovations are reviewed. Smaller landscape renovations are team reviewed by Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction Services, Grounds Management, and other departments as necessary.

As stated above, many units review construction projects, including evaluation of existing vegetation, which is protected as necessary and feasible. Monitoring existing and establishing vegetation is on-going. When specific plants are found not to be sustainable in certain instances then information is transmitted and reviewed during planned future landscape projects. Native plant materials are used as is feasible and dictated by site and intent. Planned invasive species use is screened and generally stopped during the review process. Invasive plant control is based on species and site. Previous organized invasive control has utilized student groups, student classes (for education) and contractors. Invasive plants are managed by species and site, efforts vary from hand tools to specific chemical applications.

Landscape projects are carefully reviewed and cost/material are evaluated and planned to purchase and use the right amount of materials. Existing landscape is evaluated to "work load" the proper amount of supplies necessary to prevent a shortage or excess.

Grounds Management reviews vendor materials for quality. When possible, the local vendor whose company makes compost from collected food waste from campus dining halls, is utilized. When viable, quality in-situ soils are disturbed during construction projects, efforts are made to ensure they are retained and back filled in the proper order.

Grounds Management is exploring options to add compost and "compost tea" as a soil amendment in an effort to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizer and build better structure to soils, this is currently being evaluated on Centennial PlayFields, Sullivan Shops III and planned for a Hunt Library storm water Bio-retention device. Grounds Management has partnered with the Horticulture Field Labs to use more composted leaf debris collected on campus as a substitute for purchased hardwood shredded mulch.

145 of 152 Structural BMPS including Lake Raleigh/Achievement Drive Dam Pond/Rocky Branch Creek are managed under a Stormwater Management Plan/ MS4 Permit (7 are under MS4 permit but are unknown to specific management practices)

Blended formulations of ice melt are applied, on-going training to workers to apply least amount of product to be effective during specific weather event condition, sand/and or special blend "pet friendly" ice melt applied at Vet School. Brine solution applied at least amount to be effective matching weather event conditions, on going research/product evaluation to apply minimal amount necessary. (i.e. Utilize pre-wetting technology to reduce bounce/scatter of rock salt) or reduced application of rock salt by adding sand as filler/traction strategy.

Lake Raleigh Woods is recognized as a protected area and is not intended for future development. Lake Raleigh, Achievement Drive Pond, and associated tributary watercourse corridors are protected by buffer strips. The University Master Plan has designated "Hallowed Spaces" that are not necessarily protected from any impact but are very carefully scrutinized with respect to any disturbing activity. A "Heritage Tree Program" has recently been instituted which does not necessarily fully protect the selected trees but does bring a high level of scrutiny to any disturbing activity in the vicinity of the designated trees.