Message from the President - June 2025
Dear Members of the Western Canadian Turfgrass Association,
As we embrace the seasons of spring and summer, I am delighted to address our esteemed membership of 700 plus delegates, including golf superintendents, sport turf managers, researchers, industry vendors, landscapers, and educators. This time of year exemplifies growth and I encourage each of you to seize this opportunity to cultivate your passions...and your turf.
For many, January 1st can represent a new beginning. However, in the world of green space management, our new beginning often coincides with key moments occurring on the properties we care for. Turf breaking dormancy, snow melting from greens, crews returning to full staffing levels, the first cultural practice of the year, or even the first long road trip to visit sites and clients are all just a few examples. This exciting seasonal shift from winter to spring and summer reminds me of the potential for growth, both horticultural and personal.
Personal growth can manifest in many ways depending on your circumstances. Professionally for some, it might involve making advancements in fertility management or Integrated Pest Management programs. It could mean improving relationships with staff and colleagues, or volunteering on a committee or enhancing environmental stewardship. Adopting new technologies, embracing or the latest productivity software or refining financial management skills and budgeting practices may be key goals for some turf managers. Simply trying to improve on any of the thousands of tasks turf managers are responsible for are also meaningful steps toward growth and improvement. The areas of interest in our field to explore are unlimited and personally over the years I have found attending our trade show and conference an invaluable growth tool in finding new and interesting ideas and products, and hearing inspiring and informational stories from a diverse and passionate gathering of turf professionals.
This year, the WCTA is aligning its work with a renewed set of strategic priorities that reflect the evolving needs of our industry. These include:
Driving cutting-edge research
Enhancing turf management professional development
Advocating the benefits and economic impact of turf
Growing the association and strengthening operational efficiencies
These priorities are not just goals, they are a roadmap for how we continue to lead, innovate, and support one another across the diverse sectors of our industry.
We are also gided by a broader set of research and development themes, including sustainable turfgrass management, climate resilience, and water conservation. Despite the diversity of our industry sectors, these themes are relevant to all of us as we face increasing environmental challenges. As of spring 2025, British Columbia is experiencing below-average snowpack, reported at 21% below normal and many regions are already showing signs of moderate to severe drought. Whether you are utilizing potable water or renting surface or groundwater, the potential for government led regulations to affect your operation are possible moving forward and could continue to be an area of significant concern for many of us for the foreseeable future.
In this context, understanding and being able to quantify water use, its associated costs, and the potential effects of crop failure on turf assets to the community is becoming increasingly critical. Whether you're managing a golf course, sports field, sod farm, or residential clients, the ability to make informed decisions about water allocation and conservation can directly impact both performance outcomes and financial sustainability. The ability to show senior level decision makers and stakeholders that we are managing this resource with precision and professionalism to benefit our communities is a critical communication tool for our industry.
As we enter some of our key growing months try to take the time for your own personal growth in an area that you are passionate about. Hopefully you have had time to reflect on the previous season, identify what worked well, and pinpoint areas for future improvement. This is the ideal moment to execute the plans you meticulously crafted over the winter. As an industry, sharing in these journeys and adopting a growth mindset collectively strengthens us all. I eagerly anticipate our upcoming fall field day, where we can all share and collaborate on the successes... and even some of the unexpected outcomes of our efforts.
Finally, as the extremely busy summer season approaches, I urge you to carve out some personal time for yourself and for those who truly matter in your lives. Balancing our professional and horticultural growth with personal well-being is essential for our sustained success and fulfillment.
Cheers
Nathan Wade
President, Western Canadian Turfgrass Association