Sustainable Turf Management

Project Leader: Mary Owen

Participating Extension Staff and Faculty:

• Mary Owen
• Randall Prostak
• Bess Dicklow
• Jason Lanier
• Scott Ebdon
• Michelle DaCosta
• Geunhwa Jung
• Patricia Vittum
• Robert Wick
• Thomas Griffin

Project Year: 2009

Brief Description

In the highly populated northeastern United States, turf-covered surfaces collectively comprise an integral part of our communities. Turf management practices have broad implications for water resources, property values, the safety of youth and adult sports participants and the economic viability of businesses and communities. In addition, turf management materials present potential risks from human and non-target exposure. Professional turf managers in all segments of the turf industry are challenged to meet shifting customer demands while meeting safety and quality expectations and protecting the environment. The development, communication and adoption of best management practices are critical for maintaining the quantity and quality of open space and can positively impact ecosystem integrity in Massachusetts.

The UMass Extension Sustainable Turf Management Project helps turf managers and other interested individuals, organizations and communities meet these challenges by providing research based information disseminated through a comprehensive array of workshops, courses, newsletters, websites, educational presentations, field days, and site consultations.  These activities serve to convene state and regional partners to focus on building the skills and knowledge that are needed for maintaining and enhancing turf landscapes, while protecting human health and conserving water and other natural resources.

Activities

• Winter Injury of Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Putting Greens: www.umasswinterinjury.org
• Winter Injury of Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass Putting Greens: analytical literature review
• Site Visits and Consultations
• Liaison, Leadership and Networking for Professional Turf Industry
• Convene and lead UMass Turf Program Advisory Board
• Environmentally sustainable turf management classes for Master Gardeners
• Technical publication: Protocols for IPM on School and Sports Turf
• Winter Lawn Care Conference
• University of Massachusetts Turf Research Field Day
• Invited Presentations
• Turfgrass Identification and Selection Workshop
• 2008 Turf Season in Review
• Best Management Practices for Landscape Turf
• UMass Winter School for Turf Managers: Principles of Turf Management
• www.umassturf.org
• TurfTalk, an electronic message sent as needed through the seasons
• Turf disease field trial demonstrations
• UMass Amherst summer turf stress twilight seminar
• UMass Extension Green School - Turf Management
• Professional guide for IPM in turf

Inputs: Time and Effort

Outcomes:

This Project will document progress towards the following:

• Participants will promote, implement or adopt sustainable resource management and environmental best management practices for operating Natural Resources-based businesses
• Participants will have the knowledge and skills to promote, implement or adopt sustainable resource management and environmental best management practices for operating Natural Resources-based businesses
• Participants will increase their knowledge and skill for practices that increase the economic viability of natural resource-based businesses
• Participants will increase their knowledge and skills in practices that prevent and reduce water pollution, and protect and restore water resources

This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program