Landscaping

Policies & Principles Environmental Council Environmental Studies Program Fellowships in Environmental Journalism Archives

SUMMARY:

Campus Grounds Management
Campus lands are managed to support the concurrent goals of an attractive and useful campus, in conjunction with minimizing herbicide and pesticide use. Some aspects of Integrated Pest Management are utilized, but at times the Landscapers turn to the least toxic possible herbicides and pesticides. Trees that are removed for construction are generally either replanted elsewhere on campus, or replaced with other trees. Selection of Species
In selecting trees and plantings effort is given to choosing native species, as well as species that are long-lived, and disease and pest resistant. Watering
Watering is done only in times of drought and on a timer-based system for the athletic fields. Water is not recycled per-se, but ponds are filled partially with runoff water.

Qualitative	Y/N
Utilize Integrated Pest Management?	Not actively, but use good horticultural principles espoused in IPM
Use least toxic chemicals when necessary?	Y
"Renaturalized" any areas on campus?	N
Utilize native plantings as a rule?	Y
Utilize disease & pest resistant plantings as a rule?	Y
Request native plantings from architects?	Y
Request disease & pest resistant plantings from architects?	Y
Replant trees from areas cleared for construction?	Y
Replace trees cut for development?	Y
Utilize long-lived trees over short-lived trees?	Y
Designate preserved natural areas on campus?	N
Water plantings?	Y
In what cases?	Drought
Athletic fields (timed irrigation system)
Recycle water?	Not for watering, but in ponds
What quantity / percentage?	negligible
Maintain up-to-date maps of plantings and data?	N

CHEMICALS UTILIZED 1996-97 ACADEMIC YEAR:

What chemicals?	What quantity?	Mix Ratio	What purpose?
Roundup	2 quarts	1 1/2 oz. per gallon	weed control (sidewalks, beds)
Sevin	2-4 oz	3/5 oz. per gallon	insect control (individual trees)
Fungicide Sevin	14 bags (27 1/2 #)	1 bag per 1/2 acre	insect control (turf), fungal control (Dollar Spot + Brown Patch)

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Maintain minimal herbicide and pesticide use. Middlebury College uses very minimal amounts of herbicides and pesticides. Every effort should be made to continue to minimize the use of chemicals on campus. 2. Develop maps and databases. We do not have an accurate map of trees on the Middlebury Campus. A map with corresponding database should be developed which can be utilized in landscape maintenance and as a planning tool for decision-making related to the college landscape. 3. Review watering system. Although we currently water very little of the campus, it may be possible to reduce the amount of water used. A timer-based system is a step in the right direction, so that water is provided at the appropriate time of day best for the plants. However, there is the potential for watering when it is not needed, for example when it is raining. A system that incorporates soil moisture sensors as well as timers may help us reduce the amount of water used to water the athletic fields. Such a system is incorporated in the new softball field and could be expanded to other areas. 4. Designate protected natural status areas on campus proper. Utilizing campus maps, the College should designate some lands on the main campus for protection. There are many areas near campus that are used for research and these should be primary candidates. However, the visible impact of natural areas on the campus itself would add much to the intellectual landscape of Middlebury College.