Michigan State University
OP-10: Landscape Management

MSU is developing an Integrated Pest Management program that will specifically meet the needs of the campus landscape. Staff is being trained to identify pest problems and will be able to evaluate the threshold when corrective action will need to be taken. In addition, MSU works with Landscape Architects to select disease and insect resistant plant materials to be used in the campus landscape. Research is being conducted to determine alternative treatments or remedies to solve pest problems.

In addition, it is hoped that developing healthy soil beds and selecting healthy, hardy plant materials will alleviate the need for extensive pesticide usage. Also, the staff is determining proper cultural methods to help keep the plant materials healthy.

MSU adheres to the Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Storm Water Polution Prevention Initiative.

Landscape Architects work with the Landscape Services department in developing solutions that include the use of native plant materials. In addition, the entire Michigan State University campus is considered an Arboretum and all plants growing on the MSU campus are protected under Michigan State University Ordinance 24.01 which simply states; “No person shall break or cut branches or flowers or fruit, or otherwise damage or mutilate any tree, shrub, herbaceous plant, or flower upon property governed by the Board of Trustees, or remove from the same any identification tag or sign.”

Our mowing fleet is outfitted with mulching decks which reduces the amount of lawn trimmings and leaves that are collected on an annual basis. We also utilize blowers to blow leaves and organic material that fall on hard surfaces back into lawn areas to mulch. Topsoil is recycled and reused for all campus construction renovations averaging 20,000 cubic yards annually. We receive approximately 1000 cubic yards annually from the campus greenhouse organic waste and other miscellaneous organic waste from south farms. In an effort to reduce expenses of purchasing cured compost to blend with our topsoil, we have partnered to recieve leaves and lawn clippings from East Lansing Public Works in the fall season. Concrete sidewalks, roadways, and parking areas are also recycled and repurposed as subbase which is reinstalled under sidewalks and parking lots on campus in volumes of 7000 tons annually.

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We have many environmentally friendly materials in landscapes throughout campus such as rooftop gardens, pervious recycled rubber sidewalks, pervious concrete sidewalks, pervious asphalt parking areas, and recycled tire asphalt roadways. We have also installed environmentally friendly brick pavers at Wells Hall.

The campus landscape master plan identifies a no-net loss of green space. If a construction project is unable to offset green space, then storm water management devices are installed to maintain the integrity of the natural hydrology on campus.

MSU uses an organic liquid called BEETHEAT, a sugar beet byproduct used in snow and ice removal. BEETHEAT, combined with salt brine reduces the volume of salt used to melt the same amount of snow and improves the melting temperature down to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Another benefit of using less salt is reduced corrosion to the environment and reduced operation of equipment to remove the snow and ice as less collects on hard surfaces.

Woodlots are considered protected areas on campus as well as other areas identified in the campus landscape masterplan such as historically sensitive areas i.e. Beal Garden, Beal woodlot, etc.

Acreage managed in accordance with an IPM includes 2135 acres from our research farms on south campus.
Acreage managed in accordance with a Sustainable Landscape management plan includes 120 acres of wetlands on south campus.
Acreage managed organically includes the 10-acres Student Organic Farm on south campus.
http://ipf.msu.edu/about/departments/plant-protection-statement.html
http://ipf.msu.edu/green/practices/landscaping.html
http://ipf.msu.edu/green/water/protection.html