University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
OP-9: Landscape Management

Building footprint and impervious surfaces. The 2009 Treehaven Land Management Plan covering 1,158 acres provides a vision and framework for the use, development, and management of the forest well into the future with an emphasis on the next 15 years. It describes general land management goals, and specific management prescriptions for each forest type to meet current and future needs. Recommendations are included to improve education, demonstration, and research opportunities, along with enhancing recreation, forest production, aesthetics, and habitat conservation. The 285 acre Schmeeckle Reserve is a protected area. College of Natural Resources teaching and research properties include 690 acres of undeveloped lands.

43 acres of campus lawn and plant beds are maintained organically. Athletic fields are not. The Grounds Superintendent disposed of many of the chemicals used since 1998. An example is Daconil, a fungicide, which was used on athletic fields to prevent fungus growth. The use of Vegemec has been eliminated as well. Vegemec is a soil sterilant product. It kills everything – bugs, weeds, seeds - and nothing grows for 90 days. Vegemec was used on granite padded areas – under bleachers and where bike racks are located. This was a very effective product when there was limited staff to maintain grounds. Rather than using Vegemec, we now have concrete placed under bleachers and brick pavers under bike racks. We do not spray entire areas as in the past, we now only spot treat with Roundup if needed. Other products no longer being used include Malathion (insecticide), Orthene (insecticide), Ornamec (grass herbicide), and Barricade (herbicide). Facility Services actively pursues the safest, most effective products available for weed control. Staff members applying the products are certified for product application and do so in a manner that exceeds the safety recommendations of the manufacturer. Each product used has Personal Protective Equipment requirements that are followed. For instance, when using Roundup, pants and a long sleeve shirt is required. For Vegemec, a respirator is used. Staff actually uses respirators when spraying all products, even if it’s not required by law. UW-Stevens Point staffs two Certified Pesticide Applicators, and the Grounds Superintendent is also certified. When herbicide treatments are applied, areas are flagged for 24 hours; even though we are not required by law to do so. A Message of the Day is sent out if Grounds knows when spraying is scheduled to occur. However, if it is too windy or raining, spraying is postponed. Grounds’ staff sprays in the early morning to avoid human exposure. If the product is wet, you can carry the product on your being, but once applications are dry, the product is stable. Applications are limited to what is necessary and a large manual weeding crew will continue to aid in reducing the use of herbicides. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for all products used on campus. All application amounts and locations are recorded in the Grounds department.

Tree planting is an important part of creating a visually and ecologically robust campus and an important part of the outdoor classroom for several college courses on campus. Approximately 20% of the plants on campus are native. There are areas where native plants are a priority - such as the rain garden. Plants are chosen based on their hardiness in our Wisconsin climate and also to provide color throughout the year. UWSP is a natural resources college and planting consideration is given to woody plants that meet the needs of outdoor classroom and teaching needs of courses. The recommended tree species can either be a native or non-native species as long as they fit within the tree selection guidelines found in our campus tree plan.

Rain gardens Protect Moses Creek which flows under campus - always considered in new building projects: For more than 70 years, Moses Creek flowed in a drainage ditch through the eastern portion of Schmeeckle Reserve. A major restoration project in summer and fall of 2010 re-created the natural meanders of the stream and restored the historic wetland floodplain. New trails and boardwalks provide access to the wetland, which has been planted with trees, shrubs, and marsh vegetation. The $900,000 restoration was funded as a mitigation project by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Landscaping mulch waste, grass trimmings and other compostable waste produced on campus grounds is collected and put into piles which are turned and allowed to become compost. The compost that is produced on campus is created into a compost tea which is used on campus to fertilize flower beds. .

Residential Living uses an environmentally friendly ice melter. Academic custodial began using an environmentally friendly ice melter for the 2011-12 winter season and beyond.