Last fall, Enterprise Services removed several red maple trees near the Natural Resources Building on the east Capitol Campus.

While the trees produced spectacular fall foliage, their roots were causing adjacent sidewalks to heave and buckle, creating a tripping hazard. Removing the trees and repairing the sidewalks left bare spots in the landscape.

Rather than using conventional methods, Enterprise Services staff decided to take a different — more environmentally friendly — approach to replanting the beds.

On Tuesday, June 24, at 8:30 a.m., Enterprise Services grounds staff will begin planting more than 950 perennial plants and 130 mostly native shrubs in these beds to enhance the beauty of the site and to reduce long-term maintenance costs.

What's more, these beds, like others on the east Capitol Campus, will now be maintained using completely organic methods. It is part of the department's broader goal of making the care of the Capitol Campus grounds more sustainable.

Enterprise Services, like all state agencies, is legally required to use integrated pest management practices on the grounds it manages. Integrated pest management aims to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, but it does not preclude their use.

The Enterprise Services grounds staff decided recently that they wanted to do more: to use organic methods wherever it is feasible and practical. That is why they have formed a partnership with Oregon Tilth, a nonprofit organization that promotes biologically sound and environmentally friendly agriculture and landscape practices.

One example of this new approach started this spring when the grounds staff began to use cardboard for smothering weeds instead of a synthetic pre-emergent herbicide. Another example is using wood chips from recent tree work on campus as mulch for tree rings on east campus. More of these kinds of green practices will be implemented over time.

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