University of Richmond
OP-9: Landscape Management

The remaining area is building footprint, roads, or hardscape.

Only Abby's Garden, the UR Community Garden, is maintained organically. Gardeners may only use organic fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited.

The campus has a Nutrient Management Plan approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), though this is not required for private universities. The plan is based on soil test and specific fertilization requirements set by the DCR based on the soil test. The Nutrient Management Plan does not require organic fertilizers, but does require that all nitrogen sources are 50% slow release. The plan is very strict in the use of phosphorus, which can be problematic when utilizing organic fertilizers as organic fertilizers contain phosphorus. If the soil test does not call for phosphorus, then it is very difficult to us an organic fertilizer.

IPM information: https://facilities.richmond.edu/about-us/environment-operations/landscape/pest-management.html#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20Richmond%20has,from%20pest%20and%20pesticide%20hazards.

When new buildings are constructed, existing plant material and trees are moved when possible to other locations on campus. During the planning of a new building we work closely with the Landscape Architect to make sure the right plants are selected for use on our Campus with a focus on using native or adaptive plants and not overplanting areas.

The Eco-Corridor is a demonstration site for managing invasive plants. We incorporate students and researchers into efforts to eradicate and/or control invasive plants using biological (goats), chemical, and mechanical methods. The control and management of invasive species is ongoing, with the removal of invasive plants year round and the removal of invasive vines performed mainly in the winter months.

An Arboricultural Plan, which was completed in November of 2013, is utilized to assist in the management of 13 acres (144 trees) in the historic core of the campus. A campus-wide tree survey with GIS data markers is currently under way.

Each year, Landscape Services and the Office of Sustainability hold tree planting events in which students, faculty and staff plant native trees.

The Little Westham Creek stream restoration project is a best management practice for reducing nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment, and bacteria to the James River. The floodplain was restored and the straight, deep, bank-eroded stream was converted into a sinuous channel that curves 33 times on its way to the James. During storm events, the water extends overflows its banks and spreads into the floodplain, slowing the water on its way to the James, while depositing sediment and nutrients.

All new construction on campus avoids the use of irrigation systems and existing systems that require major renovations have been turned off and eliminated (example, Stern Plaza in the center of the historic campus).

In the Eco-Corridor, there is a rain garden that filters nutrients and bacteria from three small tributaries on its way to the stream.

At the Westhampton Center and Westhampton Tennis Courts, bioretention gardens were established during renovation. Watering is limited primarily to new plantings and maintaining existing plants and turf as necessary to keep plants alive, but not necessarily to maintain aesthetic quality.

All landscaping waste, including grass trimmings, branches, downed limbs and trunks, and leaves, are composted at an off-campus facility. An open-top roll-off is kept at the Facilities building for this purpose. Woodchips are brought back to campus for trail building and re-surfacing.

We use native, drought-tolerant, and adaptive species and hand water only when establishing plants.

Surfaces to be treated, walks, roadways and parking lots have been prioritized to reduce applications of ice melt products in low use areas. Training with snow team members to remind them not to put ice melt down on walk ways until AFTER the walk has been plowed. Bulk rock salt is covered with a large tarp to reduce run off from stored rock salt.

Allison Moyer, Director of Landscape Management and Horticulture, provided this information.