MSU Landscape Services Department

Sacred Space

From an Oak Opening

“Within the opening, trees had been left to adorn a future park but most of the ground was dotted with charred stumps, some uprooted, others firmly in place. About the stumps lay piles of ashes and half burned branches and tree trunks. It was not a beautiful campus, but to the faculty, students and guests it was an inspiring one. An editor thought it’s three story brick buildings “massive and imposing in appearance.” Here in the wilderness a college had risen to embody the dream of a new education.” Agricultural College of the State of Michigan Dedication , 1857

1 Lautner, Harold, From an Oak Opening, 1955-1980, (East Lansing, 1981)

2 Madison Kuhn, Michigan State – The First Hundred Years, 1855-1955 (East Lansing, 1955)

Rustic bridge near (Beal) Botanical Garden. Chemical Laboratory (left) and original Wells Hall (right) in the background, late 1800s

Facts

Founded in 1855 as the nation’s first land-grant university.

First institution of higher learning in the United States to teach scientific agriculture. Home of the “Father of Landscape Horticulture, Liberty Hyde Bailey.

45,000 students/10,000 faculty and staff. 5,200 acre campus, 2,600 acres maintained by 45

Landscape Services Department employees. 700 acres or 30,492,000 square feet of turf. Landscape Services budget of $6.5 million.

Philosophy

Spartan (spar/tn) adj.: a. Rigorously self-disciplined or self-restrained. b. Simple, frugal or austere. c. Courageous in the face of pain, danger or adversity.

Strategy

We’ve Always Been Green

Goal: To create and implement systems, which enhance the aesthetic appeal and promote long-term ecological health of the University landscape.

• Land Grant• Early Campus Life• Hannah• Silent Spring• Activism• CCX• World Grant

Stewardship

On the (Non) Cutting Edge

Steve FrankLandscape Services CoordinatorMSU Grounds Maintenance Dept.

The MSU Grounds Maintenance Department began a campaign to reducethe amount of grass mowing done on campus in 2002. Although originally intended as a way to reduce expenses, the expanded plan has resulted in other benefits. From a sustainability standpoint the taller grass providesmore wildlife habitat, requires minimal fertilizer and pesticide application,less fuel is used with a corresponding reduction in emissions …..

“Provide excellent service for the beauty

and use of the MSU campus”

MSU Landscape Services Department

Focus

Standards

MSU GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENTGARDENING ZONE DATA

GENERAL SERVICE LEVELS

Elite Priority Routine Low

Frequency/Rate Frequency/Rate Frequency/Rate Frequency/Rate

Task: Turf Maintenance: Mowing 1-2 x per week 1+ x per week 1 x per week 1-2 x per year Fertilization 4-5# N per year 3-4# N per year 2-3# N per year 1-2# N per year Weed Control 1-2+ x per year 1-2 x per year Occasional Unscheduled Insect/Disease Control Immediate As determined Unscheduled N/A Aeration 1+ x per year 1 x per 2 years Occasional Unscheduled Topdressing 1 x per year 1 x per 2 years Occasional Unscheduled Seeding/Sodding Immediate As necessary Unscheduled Erosion control Other Repair Immediate As necessary Unscheduled Rarely

Inputs

• Supplies: 100,000 lbs. seed 160,000 lbs. fertilizer 1,000 yds. compost 4,000 yds. mulch

• People: 7 Supervisors 7 Crews 100 Seasonal Staff

• Equipment: 60 trucks 14 utility carts 35 loaders and tractors 30 mowers

Challenges

Soil Properties Traffic Construction Compaction $$$$$$$$$$$$

Soil

“Consider what each soil will bear,

and what each refuses”

- Virgil

Traffic

Construction

Snow Removal

Loving Campus to Death

FOOTBALL PARKING

“One feature this year will be the parking of automobiles at the entrance to the field. Any person wishing to leave his auto outside the grounds may do so, and it will be looked after by a competent attendant. Space has also been reserved for autos on the east side of the field.”

- Lansing State Journal

Wednesday, October 13, 1909

Compaction

““No Parking Please” campaign No Parking Please” campaign began for the 2002 football season. for the 2002 football season.

Cowpaths

Show Me the Money!

Texas Tech University has 96 employees for a campus half our size with half the number of students!

We service campus for $.09 per square foot. Most commercial landscape companies approach $.25 per square foot!

The Good

The Bad

Grubs!

Stupidity!

Salt Damage

“Laziness”

The Ugly

NW Wonders Hall – Fall 1999

Frustration

Practices

12/27/06Compost

Seeda-vator

Compost Topdressing

Bermudagrass Establishment

“Fight for the only colors …”

Other Solutions ?

Pest Control

Last Day on the Job

Making People Matter