University of Dayton
OP-9: Landscape Management

We are excluding buildings, impervious surfaces, artificial turf fields, and areas of open water.

Management depends on the type of land in question. However, no inorganic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, fungicides or herbicides are used in these areas. We allow these areas to grow naturally with occasional mowing if necessary. Invasive species, like honeysuckle, are removed when necessary using non-chemical methods.

Pest control issues are monitored directly by campus staff and in conjunction with regional Ohio Department of Agriculture. To prevent pest issues, certain plants are avoided and others are companion planted to maximize natural barriers to infestation. When pests are detected, treatment is only applied once the infestation threatens to significantly impact campus; most issues are allowed to resolve themselves. When application of a pesticide is necessary, our Grounds department gives preference to applications which minimize risk of exposure to the community. In some cases, direct soil injections are preferred over aerosol applications, for example. Our first priority is to avoid use of synthetic chemicals, and as such, natural pest management techniques are routinely examined for efficacy.

Setting action thresholds: action is taken when there is damage or distress to plants or structures. For turf areas the goal is to remain weed-free.

Monitor and identify pests: Grounds monitors areas for weed outbreaks or animal and insect pests on an ongoing basis. 14 staff members have a pesticide applicator licence and are able to identify problems in the field.

Prevent or remove conditions that attract pests: we keep the grounds clear of dead wood, excess thatch, grass, and leaves. Trash is removed promptly. In turf areas, we have worked to reduce chemical and fertilizer use as much as possible. Along with fertilizer we apply weed prevention twice a year. The purpose of this is to prevent the need to spray for weeds more regularly, which would result in a net increase in chemical use. Pre-emergent is added to landscaped beds for the same reason.

Control: When a pest is discovered, and it is determined that it is causing damage to plants, structures, etc., we evaluate the type of pest and the extent of the damage. We appropriately treat only the affected area, unless the pest is highly invasive, in which we might broaden the area of application. Typically it only takes one application to remove the pest.

We make every attempt to use species native to Southwest Ohio where possible.

Waste from grounds-keeping is mulched on site and reapplied on campus where possible.

Grounds is piloting a native plant project in order to determine the feasibility of restoring and caring for large plantings of native species. A group of students worked with Grounds in Fall 2017 to explore the potential of several of our organically-managed grounds to be restored to native habitat.