by Jerry Rousseau

While speaking at the Pacific Northwest Golf Alliance Summit in Seattle in early March, Trevor Smith, Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) President, Stan Kazymerchyk, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)  Turf Management instructor and I were approached by Karen Armstead, Executive Director of the First Green Foundation, an organization that had developed a program where school aged children are taught science, math and environmental stewardship using golf courses as the classroom and golf course superintendents as the teachers. 

On May 26, 2016, the Township of Langley (TOL) Parks Department will partner with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) and Sports Turf Canada (STC) to provide an outdoor educational program to a group of Langley Seconday School grade 9 students.

The past year was one of the most exciting in First Green history. Read on for a summary of 2015 highlights and some things to anticipate for 2016. We’d also like to thank all First Green supporters for their 2015 contributions!

by Stan Kazymerchyk, WCTA First Green Coordinator

First Green and Western Canada Turfgrass Association have an MOU in place for First Green program delivery  in Canada. WCTA hosted the Canadian inaugural event at a Vancouver private club, Vancouver Golf Club in 2014 followed by a public course event in 2015 at Redwoods Golf Course.

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA), in partnership with the First Green Foundation, has launched the first program in Canada that brings environmental education to grade 5 and up students using golf courses as environmental learning labs.  A demonstration event will take place starting at 10:00am, Friday, October 2nd at the Redwoods Golf Course in the Township of Langley, BC with special guest, the Honourable Mary Polak, BC Minister of Environment.

February 15, 2017 - “Katrek and Maginnes On Tap” interviewed First Green's executive director, Karen Armstead, as part of the Golf Industry Show 2017 in Orlando, Fla.

The largest sporting event ever to be held in the Pacific Northwest, the 2015 US Open, begins June 14 at Chambers Bay Golf Course located near Tacoma, Washington.  First Green, a school aged kids program for grades 5 through 12, teaches STEM learning, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, exposing kids to the game of golf by using the course as a learning lab, will be a feature attraction at the Open.  First Green was developed in the Seattle area over a decade ago and has expanded into Canada through the Western Canada Turfgrass Association.

Curt's a smart guy teaching seventh and eighth graders in Redmond Oregon about golf course ecosystems.

Watch the video

According to the World Golf Foundation, Canada has one of the highest per capita golf participation rates in the world. Thus, it is no surprise that First Green field trips -- bringing kids to golf courses for hands-on science field trips -- would find a receptive audience in Canada.

The First Green Foundation (First Green) and Golf Course Superintendents Association of American (GCSAA) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will bring First Green under the umbrella of the GCSAA’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG). The agreement was announced at the 2018 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio.

June 24, 2014

This just posted.  WCTA presents the First Green - a video from the May 5th Canadian launch of 'Links as Labs' at the Vancouver Golf Club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mc_2IMUWH8

CLICK HERE for full article

First Green announces it has been awarded a $112,250 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) grant by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for 2015. The grant is funded by the USGA’s partnership with Chevron and designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines through the world of golf.

 As you make your travel plans for the Oct. 5 -7 Northwest Turfgrass Association meeting at Chambers Bay, save time on October 7 for lunch and a First Green workshop. Provided by NTA and First Green, this free workshop is on October 7 from 12:30 pm to 2 pm and will include lunch.

Originally published April 25, 2015 in the Seattle Times
reprinted with permission
by Scott Hanson

First Green program uses golf courses as environmental learning labs, where students can do things like study plant species and measure water velocity. 

Steve Kealy, superintendent of Glendale Country Club in Bellevue, is not sure who enjoys the First Green field trips more, the students or him.

By Jerry Rousseau

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA), in partnership with the First Green Foundation, has launched the first program in Canada that brings environmental education to grade 5 through 12 students using golf courses as learning labs. 

May is First Green month, and golf courses across the U.S. and Canada are hosting local schools for First Green STEM* field trips.   In a First Green field trip, golf course superintendents host students where they test water quality, collect soil samples, identify plants, design plantings, and calculate the square footage of parts of the golf course that the superintendents deal with every day.

by David Phipps GCSAA Field Staff, NW Region

Community outreach and education can be a stumbling block for some superintendents seeking certification through a program such as the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. This is far from the truth when it comes to the superintendents from the State of Washington.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Western Canada Turfgrass Association Launches First Green ‘Links as Labs’ Program
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (April 7, 2014)

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA), in partnership with the First Green Foundation, is launching the first program in Canada that brings environmental education to grade school students using golf courses as environmental learning labs.  The inaugural event, hosted by Golf Course Superintendent Dave Kennedy and Assistant Pete Rodrigues, takes place May 5, 2014 at the Vancouver Golf Club, host of the 2012 CN Canadian Women’s Open.  Heidi Gawehns, Grade 8 teacher from Pitt River Middle School, will be leading her students in the very first, 'First Green' event held in Canada.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Western Canada Turfgrass Association Launches First Green ‘Links as Labs’ Program
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (April 7, 2014)

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA), in partnership with the First Green Foundation, is launching the first program in Canada that brings environmental education to grade school students using golf courses as environmental learning labs.  The inaugural event, hosted by Golf Course Superintendent Dave Kennedy and Assistant Pete Rodrigues, takes place May 5, 2014 at the Vancouver Golf Club, host of the 2012 CN Canadian Women’s Open.  Heidi Gawehns, Grade 8 teacher from Pitt River Middle School, will be leading her students in the very first, 'First Green' event held in Canada.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Western Canada Turfgrass Association Formalizes Partnership with First Green ‘Links as Labs’ Program
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (August, 2015)

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA), formalized its relationship with the First Green Foundation of Washington State, through a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ signed August 24 after a successful train-the-trainer event held at the Redwoods Golf Course in Langley, BC.