University of New Hampshire
OP-10: Landscape Management

UNH Facilities personnel are responsible for exterior pest monitoring and control on the UNH campus grounds. Crews have worked over the years to try to avoid pesticide use. The following protocols are in place in the University’s IPM Program and are used by Facilities staff to determine the appropriate action when an insect pest is detected.

Insecticides: The University of New Hampshire’s IPM practices include no regular spraying of insecticides on trees and shrubs for pests. When a major pest outbreak does occur and spraying is warranted, the most environmentally friendly method is used that will still give good success of control. For the 20 years between 1979 and 1999, damage from insect pests was low enough so as not to exceed threshold levels of insect damage, therefore requiring little insecticidal spraying. However, in 1999, a new turf pest moved into the area making it necessary to increase monitoring efforts and targeted spraying with species-specific insecticides. These efforts allowed Grounds and Roads crews to choose the least-toxic effective material for control and time the applications to minimize the amount of material required. This also releases fewer chemicals into the ground, the water supply, and the air. It has also greatly reduced the chemical exposure to the Grounds and Roads crews who are in charge of treating these problem areas, as well as anyone who uses the University grounds. Also, until 2000, any insecticide that was used on campus grounds was biological. Biological insecticides are based on living entomopathogenic (infecting insects) organisms, usually bacteria, fungi or viruses, or which contain entomopathogenic products from such organisms. They are often the least toxic species-specific option for controlling insect pests.

Herbicides: If an herbicide is deemed necessary, spot treatments instead of area-wide applications are performed, thereby killing only the targeted plant. When possible, herbicides are applied while weeds are small to reduce the amount of material used and to prevent seed production.

Fungicides: To date, UNH Facilities personnel do not apply fungicides on campus grounds.

On-campus Partnership: In 1999, the European chafer, a turf pest relatively new to New England arrived on the grounds of UNH. The immature (grub) stage of this beetle is very destructive to turf. Grubs feed mainly on the roots of grasses often killing the plant. UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist Stanley Swier and UNH Facilities Gardener Robert Bennett worked together on an IPM Program specifically to control the European chafer. The monitoring aspect of the program involves constantly updating maps of UNH grounds where European chafer grub damage has occurred. Maps from past and present years are then compared to determine where treatment may be necessary. Unfortunately, because the European chafer is highly destructive in turf, an insecticide is the only effective control measure. Facilitiespersonnel use the least-toxic effective material available to treat for the insect. The use of the detailed maps showing turf damage enables a timely application of this less toxic pesticide, preventing use of a more toxic material that would be required for control later in the insect’s life cycle.

On the Cutting Edge: UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist Stanley Swier has also conducted research with DuPont for the past 5 years working on a new low-risk insecticide that will be available for use soon. The insecticide, called Acelepryn, contains a new active ingredient and mode of action that will offer turf professionals consistent performance and low application rates, along with an excellent toxicological and environmental profile. Acelepryn has been classified as a reduced risk insecticide by the EPA, which dictates that there is extremely low mammalian, honeybee, fish, and bird toxicity. Through Stanley Swier’s work with DuPont, UNH may well be one of the first universities to use Acelepryn to reduce European chafer grubs on campus grounds as part of our IPM program.

http://www.unh.edu/cmp/pdf/unh_2012_approved_campus_master_plan.pdf

http://www.unh.edu/facilities/images/CP/CMP%202004%20Final%20Landscape%20Master%20Plan.pdf

The Landscape Design Guidelines establish a framework to guide the subtle enhancement of the campus landscape not transform it. The guidelines build upon, not radically alter, the campus’ rich design heritage by emphasizing simplicity, balance and ecological sensitivity. The Landscape Design Guidelines are principle based, founded on the tenets of sustainability and the belief that landscapes should be managed not simply maintained. They are flexible and allow for contemporary expression. Long-term management considerations must be weighted equally with issues of aesthetics and sustainability.These guidelines are divided into 4 parts: Landscape Preservation, Landscape Restoration and Landscape Enhancement. The Landscape Design Guidelines also include the University’s standards for Site Furnishings.

The Sustainability Institute through the UNH Ecosystem Task Force collaborates with academic classes, faculty, UNH Facilities and the Office of Woodlands and Natural Areas to promote and maintain sustainable landscaping throughout campus for the education and enjoyment of the community, the enhancement of natural systems, and the protection of biodiversity. All groups worked closely with sustainable landscaping experts to develop a 101-page UNH Sustainable Landscaping Master Plan (SLMP) that became part of the umbrella UNH Campus Master Plan in 2004. The SLMP includes a detailed list of suggested native trees, shrubs, and vines in addition to identifying less desirable, highly invasive species. Also, UNH Cooperative Extension also provides information to the broader UNH community about the benefits of landscaping with native plant species.

Preserving the vitality of the campus’ trees is paramount to preserving the character and integrity of the campus landscape. It is the goal of every construction project to protect as many trees as possible during construction so that the landscape looks as mature and cohesive as possible. It is therefore important that tree preservation be considered early
in the planning and design process. Trees that are landmarks, significant in form or serve a vital aesthetic role shall be given special consideration in the evaluation process.

All grass trimmings, prunings, and landscaping waste is brought to Kingman Farm on the UNH campus for composting. In the fall, all of the fallen leaves are collected by UNH Facilities and brought to Kingman Farm. In the spring, UNH Facilities uses compost from Kingman Farm for all of the Durham campus flowerbeds.

UNH's farms are on certified organic land: http://www.colsa.unh.edu/aes/facilities

The Landscape Master Plan lays out suggested materials to consider using in landscape and groups management, including:

- Granite pedestals should gradually replace the existing granite benches in the core of the campus. Granite pedestals should be cut from native stone and supplied by local sources.

- Environmentally harvested teak from the island of Java offers a responsible alternative to teak not sourced using eco-harvesting practices. Stringent government regulations control the production of the island’s teak. Trees are harvested in 30-40 year cycles and adhere to strict environmental policies that ensure the long term renewal of this resource and a stable economy for citizens.

- Asphalt unit pavers are a unique paving alternative to concrete or brick pavers. Asphalt (Hanover) pavers are extremely durable, resistant to salts and mineral oils, do not absorb moisture, offer excellent slip resistance, do not deflect or dent, come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, can be removed and replaced, absorbs heat in the winter (which helps melt the snow), are tolerant of heavy vehicle loads (do not settle), are very tolerant of the snow plow and other maintenance equipment, are comfortable to walk on, and are aesthetically acceptable. Asphalt pavers should be considered for primary walkways throughout campus.

- Concrete unit pavers are an attractive paving alternative to asphalt or cast-in-place concrete sidewalks. Concrete pavers have been used on campus and have proven to
be durable, resistant to salts, offer excellent slip resistance, and can be removed and replaced, and if installed properly are tolerant of heavy vehicle loads and snow plows. Concrete unit pavers should be considered for secondary walkways throughout
campus.

The 2004 Landscape Management Plan says the following: "To prevent the further degradation of wetlands, a comprehensive Watershed Protection Plan should be further
developed beyond those that have been delineated in numerous portions of the campus. It is important that the entire watershed be considered when developing the plan’s goals and objectives. Manage campus wetlands to control non-point source pollution and control runoff to lessen downstream flooding. Respect shoreline protection setbacks:
do not site structures within 50’ of a shoreline reference line. Do not apply any fertilizer within 25’ of a shoreline reference line. Where existing, a natural woodland buffer should be maintained within 150’ of a shoreline reference line unless activity is related to that shoreline. Identify locations of point source pollution and develop appropriate mitigation plans. Wherever feasible, develop landscape plans that daylight buried streams and restore/enhance natural corridors linking fragmented ecosystems.

UNH snow and ice removal strictly adheres to the broader UNH Stormwater Management Plan. Sand is minimally applied and is offset with salt, as the latter is determined to have less negative impact on the environment than sand. Moreover, all salt-spreading trucks are calibrated to ensure proper distribution of salt. Streets are swept twice a year to collect sand put down during winter storm events. The volume of sand collected is reported within the Stormwater Management Plan, and sand budgets take into account the volume used in the previous year. There are approximately 550 catch basins on campus, which collect stormwater and snow melt, and are part of the cleaning and repair program. An outside company cleans the catch basins, and this is overseen by UNH Utilities.

All of UNH woodlands (3500 acres) are a Tree Farm that is nationally recognized as third part certification of sustainability.

In order to achieve their mission, the Woodlands and Natural Areas Committee has established three management goals: to provide, protect, and produce.

To Provide
Areas are to be provided which afford opportunities for research, education, and recreation while also allowing for management activities to occur. Furthermore, it is important for the University to provide an example to the public of well managed Woodlands and Natural Areas that implement strategy of shared resource management.

To Protect
As with the Hippocratic oath, first do no harm. Such is the view of the Woodlands and Natural Areas Committee regarding the areas under their care. As a University entrusted and dedicated to providing well-rounded educated citizens with a sense of balance for the future, it is necessary that we promote areas that will provide a healthy environment for future generations.

To Produce
The Woodlands and Natural Areas Committee recognizes the needs for natural resources. As part of the educational and research opportunities that are supported; it is necessary to view many of the areas under their care as commodities that must be managed in order to ensure their continued supply. Therefore, it is imperative that the office strives to produce many resource elements in marketable quantities.

Guiding Management Principles
Recognizing their duty of stewardship and to set an example to others of properly managed woodlands and natural areas, the Office of Woodlands and Natural Areas achieves management objectives, while observing the following tenets:

Support ecosystem integrity
Support biological diversity
Support sustainable forest utilization
Protect the productivity of the resources in their care
Provide educational, research, and recreational opportunities

Objectives

The Woodlands and Natural Areas Committee has established the Office of Woodlands and Natural Areas to help fulfill its mission, meet its management goals, and operate under its guiding management principles. More specifically, the office will implement the following objectives to assist it in accomplishing the Woodlands and Natural Areas Committee's mission and management goals:

Provide a variety of stand vigor conditions
Provide a variety of vegetation types
Provide a variety of stand age classes
Maintain an adequate forest road access and maintenance program
Maintain a centralized research, recreational, and forest management record keeping system.
Improve and maintain a variety of wildlife habitat
Enhance compatible recreational opportunities
Prevent watershed degradation
Provide educational opportunities and assistance to students

See more at: http://colsa.unh.edu/woodlands/general-information

Other contacts:

Steve Eisenhaure, Land Use Coordinator, College of Life Sciences & Agriculture
Stephen Pesci, Special Projects Director, Campus Planning, UNH Facilities
Bob Bennett, Gardner, UNH Facilities
Tom Byron, Manager, Grounds & Events, UNH Facilities
Lori Wright, NHAES Stakeholder Interface & Communications Coordinator

Info:

Core Durham campus out to farms: 1,059 acres
All farms: 1,100 acres