OSU Landscaping Services wins National Green Star Award

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University landscaping services received its second Green Star Award for the team's outstanding job maintaining over 700 acres making up the campus. 

Professional Grounds Management Society announced OSU’s prestigious award in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 15-18. PGMS focuses on recognizing grounds that highlight sustainability, have exceptional talent and an overall dedication to landscaping. 

“Speaking to the team and their resiliency and that Cowboy Code, we're not going to give up on those things. When we have a target, we enjoy the competition. It just makes us better,” said John Lee, director of landscaping services. 

For the last couple of years, Lee has worked around the clock with more than 70 full-time landscaping employees to prepare the campus for this award, having impromptu photoshoots and drone shoots all while completing their daily tasks. 

“This is a nationally recognized award. You quite literally have to plan two years in advance to have everything strategically ready so that you can present what's needed for this award,” Lee said. 

Landscaping directors and managers applying for the Green Star Award have to nitpick every detail of the grounds to ensure it’s ready to be showcased. Sunspots in the grass, irrigation lines sticking out of dirt or trash are among the things that could affect their rank. 

“It takes all of our team here at landscape services and all of OSUs commitment to want to strive to be excellent. And I feel like OSU is always doing that in everything they do,” said Nick Ouellette, landscaping design manager. 

To help navigate the huge space that makes up OSU campus, the team is divided into 10 zones, covering different areas on campus. This guarantees that each zone receives the attention and care needed for it to flourish. 

Throughout its 700 acres, OSU features a large variety of different landscapes; topiaries, turf grass and displays. These have to be protected during difficult weather, something that can be hard to predict and control. 

“A lot of it is just getting out with the crews so they don't start feeling discouraged. Show them that we're out here as well. We're not just sitting in the office behind a computer,” said Kyle Ooley, landscape maintenance supervisor. 

Keeping the spirits up on landscaping teams is super important, the work can be physically draining and exhausting, especially when dealing with harsh weather. The PGMS creates a space for people's work to get recognized and gives them confidence to continue working. 

“We hit our goal, and I'm extremely proud of our team,”  Lee said. “That pressure is a lot for the team. So I'm extremely proud of them, personally, very grateful for every person's skill set. Some people had to dig really deep and realize that they had skill sets and talents, and they tapped into those talents, and those show up in these gardens when you come to see us.” 

Story By: Darby Rains | darby.rains@okstate.edu