University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
OP-10: Landscape Management

The grounds staff consists of 6 fulltime employees. All of them maintain a Wisconsin Pesticide applicators license in turf and landscape and have a landscape background or college degree in horticulture. They are familiar with turf, woody shrubs, annual and perennial flowers and trees. All are trained to monitor and identify problems on the campus grounds in manicured landscape or natural areas (290 acre arboretum). Any problems identified are discussed as a team prior to action being taken. Some items included in the IPM plans that helps maintain best environmental practices: Knowledge of plant species which allow best care and maintenance practices in turf and landscape areas to maintain health; Use of new state-of-the-art computerized sprayer when pesticides are applied; Use of chemicals and pesticides with lower environmental impact when pesticides are needed; Use of chemicals and pesticides with lower environmenal impact when pestices are needed; Rotation of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides to reduce resistance; Application of phosphorus-free fertilizer to keep turf areas healthy; Have implemented a Nutrient Management System Plan on landscape turf and athletic field areas with soil test every 5 years; Use of best cultural practices available, by staying current with new technology that becomes available to keep us sustainable and environmentally friendly; Keep close contact with County Extension office to keep up to date on any pest outbreaks in our area as well as information on hardy, disease resistance plant species.

UW-Green Bay has an abundance of green space and natural areas as part of campus and in fact, "trees" is one of the three "T"'s that is promoted to students - tunnels (connecting all the academic buildings), toilets (all housing units have bathrooms for each room/suite/apartment), and trees. An impressive accomplishment since 50 years ago, the majority of the campus property was a farm field. As part of maintaining a long connection to the natural environment, sustainability is considered in landscape management decisions at the committee level (Biodiversity, Arboretum, Facilities Planning, and Student Government).

The Grounds Department works closely with the Biodiversity Committee on campus to gather input on the best native species of trees and shrubs to use. We maintain a small tree nursery on campus with suggested native varieties of trees that are use in campus plantings. The species are very diversified to increase tree survival. When ordering woody shrubs and flowers, only local nurseries are used to ensure hardiness of plants in our growing region.

UW - Green Bay composts tree and grass trimmings that are not mulched directly back into the landscape. Yard waste comes from campus grounds only, not the natural areas owned/managed by the University.

When turf areas on campus are mowed, the cuttings are mulched back into the soil. Organic compost is added to formal planted areas on campus, as needed.

Materials used in landscaping such as mulch or soil additions (compost, if needed) are locally sourced. The most environmentally benign materials are targeted for use on managed campus areas.

The campus maintains a stormwater management plan that meets or exceeds all state and federal guidelines. A variety of managed landscapes such as bioswales and retention pond helps slow and clean runoff from hardscape surfaces on campus.

Snow and ice are a given in Green Bay. The Grounds department uses a variety of equipment and techniques for snow and ice control, allowing the best choice of options to tackle the given snow/ice accumulation in the most cost effective and environmentally friendly manner possible. Modern salters and sanders are used and equipment is upgraded as budgets allow. Different types of snow melt and salt/sand mixtures are used to obtain best results while using the least amount of product to keep campus safe. Sand, salt and ice melts are kept in a containted salt storage shed which is inpsected yearly by state facility inspectors. All employees are trained on equipment before applying any products. Hydraulic brooms are used on sidewalk areas to remove snow and ice. This keeps the pavement areas ice free most times and reduces the need for ice melts in most instances. When salting roads, the least amount of product is used to obtain a safe travel surface. The campus purchases salt and ice melt through a state contract so products used are products that are chosen by state contracts. In winter, with the underground conscourse system between the majority of academic buildings, the campus closes most sidewalks and stairways that lead into people pockets located on the lower levels of campus buildings. This saves snow removal costs and reduces the amounts of ice melt needed on campus. At winter's end, all streets and parking lot curbs and surfaces are swept, removing any solids or contaminates which may enter the storm water drains. Any damaged turf areas are reseeded or resodded to keep turf areas healthy and vigorous so they continue to filter solids out of storm water.

The Cofrin Arboretum encircles the core of campus - providing 290 acres of natural areas. The Arboretum has a committee that oversees management of this acreage along with a Biodiversity Committee.