Oakland University receives guidance from the Clinton River Watershed Council to implement best practices in protecting the health and quality of local waterways. Numerous activities contribute to overall efforts to improve these vital natural resources.
Planting trees and other vegetation on campus, for example, help prevent storm water runoff, and creating prairie through compost soil amendments and plantings helps prevent erosion.
Oakland University grounds maintenance crews also execute regular aeration and slit seeding of campus lawns in order to allow more rainwater to reach a more robust network of vegetation roots, thereby reducing erosion and runoff.
Increasing lawn mower height, using low-phosphorus fertilizers and strategically limiting fertilizer use are still other ways grounds crews look to protect local water quality.
“At Oakland University, the Grounds Department takes a proactive and responsible approach to stormwater management and environmental protection,” said Ryan Dorner, the university’s Manager of Facility Services.
He added that measures also include prevention of debris entering storm drains, safe chemical handling, efficient irrigation, use of silt barriers and adherence to hazmat containment protocols.
“These measures reflect our commitment to maintaining a clean and sustainable campus environment that goes well beyond regulatory requirements.”
To learn more about Oakland University efforts, visit the OU Office of Environmental Health & Safety’s Storm Water webpage.