McGill University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Data above include:
- Managed grounds on the Downtown Campus (37.35ha)
- Managed grounds on the Macdonald Campus (22.06ha)

Data above exclude:
- Experimental agricultural land on Mac Campus (110 hectares) and other land that is McGill-owned, but not managed by the Grounds unit.
- Sloped areas with wild trees thicket almost impenetrable at the outskirt of some of Downtown Campus boundaries.
- Gault Estate (1,000 ha), Molson Nature Reserve (51 ha), and Morgan Arboretum (245 ha)

Almost no chemical-based landscape management practices are used. Chemical rodenticide bait boxes are used outdoors around buildings when necessary as per the IPM plan. Also, inorganic fertilizer is used in hanging plant baskets because organic methods proved unsuccessful. These two exceptions are very minimal in area and otherwise no pesticides or herbicides are used on the campus.

Dead leaves are collected in the fall for composting, and then spread onto campus green spaces once composted. Organic fertilizer is also used once in spring for planting flowers. Sometimes Mycorrhizae is used to plant new trees.

McGill hires an external firm to manage its IPM program. The University requires that the firm submit an IPM plan in advance that outlines its activities and scope, methodology of services, quality control plan, and reporting and record keeping.

Any pesticides that the firm uses must comply with strict quality standards to achieve acceptable levels of control while causing the least causing the least possible harm to occupants, non-target organisms, and the environment. The firm must use only pesticides that have been approved by the University and, even then, only when necessary.

Other examples of requirements:
- The firm must only use pesticides that are registered under the federal Pest Control Products Act and Regulations, legislation meant to "prevent unacceptable risks to individuals and the environment from the use of pest control products."
- The use of chemicals or pesticides in highly sensitive areas (e.g. cafeterias, kitchens, farms, labs, etc.) should be reserved for situations where it is necessary to achieve acceptable areas of control; the firm must obtain authorization from the University before using a pesticide in a highly sensitive area.
- The firm should carry out monthly inspections and ensure the proper identification, management and treatment of pests, in accordance with the principles of integrated pest management, to ensure the control and prevention of infestations.

Pest Control Products Act: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-9.01/page-1.html

McGill uses native plants where feasible for growth, considering the urban conditions and proximity to Montreal's Mount Royal, a protected heritage zone with stringent regulations. McGill's Design Standards set out strict guidelines for approved and forbidden species. All vegetation on campus must respect the ecological heritage of Mont Royal, according to the ‘Plan de protection et de mise en valeur du Mont-Royal’ (https://ocpm.qc.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/P24/1a.pdf).

Source (Design Standards): https://www.mcgill.ca/buildings/files/buildings/mcgill_32_93_10_trees_shrubs_and_ground_cover_planting_2.pdf

Over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs were planted on the downtown campus in 2010 alone; many trees and shrubs at Macdonald Campus have been planted to attract wildlife. Moreover, as part of McGill's Bicentennial celebrations, the Macdonald Campus Tree Planting Initiative, an SPF-supported project, saw the planting of over 200 trees on the Ste-Anne campus. The project contributed to the City of Montreal’s “Plan d'Action Canopée” which aims to increase the canopy coverage of the Island from 20% to 25% by 2025 with a target of 3900 trees to be planted on the institutional grounds of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

For more info on the Macdonald Campus Tree Planting Initiative: https://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/about/sustainability

All new landscape projects strive to meet or exceed SITES Certification, and are required to meet the city of Montreal's "Règlement 20-030" with regards to rainwater retention as well as McGill Design Standards, section 33 40 00
https://www.mcgill.ca/buildings/files/buildings/mcgill_33_40_00_rainwater_management_3.pdf

Macdonald Campus: For watering, we have an irrigation system on the Mac sports fields (Watson field and McEwen field), we have 3 location around main building with irrigation systems installed. Flowerpots, gardens and smaller trees are watered using a water tanker in a truck and done manually by an employee.

All new landscape projects strive to meet or exceed SITES Certification.

Macdonald Campus: Campus Lawns are mowed weekly from spring to fall during the growing period. We mulch the grass/leaves and leave it on spot unless there is a lot of debris, in that case, we use a Raco Vac machine to pick the left over grass/leaves/sticks up and bring it to a compost pile at the Horticulture department (belongs to the Mac Farm). We use the compost afterwards in our gardens, for tree planting and lawn repairs mixed with soil we buy from a vendor. Tree branches that are cut on campus are chipped by a contractor and kept for flowerbeds and gardens to minimize landscape material waste.

All our new landscape projects strive to meet or exceed SITES Certification and McGill's Design Standards, section "Landscape"
https://www.mcgill.ca/buildings/files/buildings/mcgill_landscape.pdf

The McGill Grounds Services team provides support to gardening group who uses some allocated campus space to grow plants for human consumption, such as herbs, vegetables, fruits etc.

Managed grounds for Macdonald Campus: 22.0556ha
Source: Campus Planning and Development (October 2023)

Additional grounds maintenance information: https://www.mcgill.ca/facilities/maintenance-operations/buildings/services/grounds