MSU Grounds Maintenance Department

1. MSU Grounds Maintenance Department TURFGRASS ESTABLISHMENT “A Good Grounds Game”

2. 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. • 45,000 students/10,000 faculty and staff. • 5,200 acre campus, 2,600 acres maintained by 45 Grounds Maintenance Department employees. • 1,541 acres or 6,712,596 square feet of turf. • Grounds Maintenance budget of $5 million.

3. 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.

4. Strategy

5. Sustainability History: • Early Campus Life • Silent Spring Culture: • Activism • Land Grant/World Grant Goal: To create and implement systems, which enhance the aesthetic appeal and promote long-term ecological health of the University landscape.

6. “Provide excellent service for the beauty and use of the MSU campus” Focus MSU Grounds Maintenance Department Mission Statement:

7. Structure

9. Standards MSU GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT GARDENING 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

10. People: 2 Supervisors 3 Site Construction 18 Gardeners 60 Seasonal Staff Inputs • Supplies: 8,000 lbs. seed 160,000 lbs. fertilizer 1,000 yds. compost 2,000 yds. mulch • Equipment: 60 trucks 35 utility carts 35 loaders and tractors 35 mowers

11. The Good

12. The Bad Stupidity! Salt Damage “CowPath” Grubs!

13. The Ugly NW Wonders Hall – Fall 1999

14. “Issues” • Soil Properties • Traffic • Construction • Compaction • $$$$$$$$$$$$

15. Soil “Consider what each soil will bear, and what each refuses” - Virgil

17. Snow Removal

18. Traffic

19. Campus Culture 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

20. Construction

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

22. Practices Seeda-vator Compost Compost Topdressing 12/27/06

24. Projects Bermudagrass Establishment “Fight for the only colors …”

25. Turn-key

26. .1950 x .85 = .1657500 .1470 x .90 = .1323000 .1450 x .90 = .1305000 .0985 x .85 = .0837250 .0982 x .85 = .0834700 .0975 x .85 = .0828750 .0968 x .90 = .0871200 .0490 x .85 = .0416500 .0485 x .85 = .0412250 TOTAL .8486150 Expect 85% germination Seed Evaluation

27. Stewardship On the (Non) Cutting Edge Steve Frank Landscape Services Coordinator MSU Grounds Maintenance Dept. The MSU Grounds Maintenance Department began a campaign to reduce the 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 provides more wildlife habitat, requires minimal fertilizer and pesticide application, less fuel is used with a corresponding reduction in emissions …..

28. Frustration

31. A New Day is Dawning