Grounds Services maintains both the functional and aesthetic standards for 850 intensively managed acres, 20 miles of roadway and 20 miles of sidewalks, 70 parking lots, and a 4-acre Duckpond. This responsibility involves a multi-layered planning and coordination, as well as effective, quick response to a steady stream of daily demands, special events such as student move-in, and emergencies such as ice storms and flooding.
The Landscape division is responsible for planting new trees and shrubs (approximately 300 trees in the last two years); renovating old landscaping sites; mowing and trimming campus turf; applying fertilizer and pesticides; pruning the campus collection of trees and shrubs; and installing and maintaining perennial and annual flower beds.
Moving and Hauling manages the handling and transport of office furniture, laboratory equipment, and a wide variety of special items. Moving and Hauling is primarily involved in coordinating this work among campus buildings and associated rental properties.
Virginia Tech Recycling coordinates the educational and operational aspects of campus recycling, solid waste collection, and litter control. Additionally, the Virginia Tech Recycling office supervises yardwaste mulching and composting operation, post-closure care of the Virginia Tech closed sanitary landfill, and various environmental restoration initiatives.
Road Maintenance is responsible for the maintenance of and repair of all campus streets, roadways, parking lots, and loading docks, including State Route 314, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Tech Office of Transportation. In addition, Road Maintenance provides heavy equipment assistance for a broad range of in-house and contracted landscaping, utilities, and renovation work.