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.
Read more: The First Green Foundation - Environmental Education Using Links as Labs
The Sports Turf Managers Association sent an email to it's membership on October 9th regarding an NBC news report about crumb rubber used on artificial turf fields aired a couple of days earlier.
Since then, NBC aired a follow-up report on the subject after which the Synthetic Turf Council provided a written response (see below for links to both stories and STC response).
Message from Metro Vancouver Air Quality Officer:
If you own, operate, or hire diesel equipment; Metro Vancouver’s Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Bylaw 1161 may impact your business. The Bylaw was adopted in 2011 and began taking effect in 2012.
How might Canada Geese affect you?
Populations of non-migratory Canada Geese have been established in the Metro Vancouver Region of southwestern British Columbia since the 1960s and 70s as a result of introductions. These populations of Canada Geese may be increasing and can cause undesired consequences for a variety of human land uses that include, but are not limited to: agricultural crop damage; hazards to aviation safety; fouling of grass recreation areas by feces; damage to lawns and recreational areas; aggressive behaviour towards humans and other wildlife; the potential accumulation of fecal coliform in water bodies, including swimming areas; and impacts to estuary habitats.
Read more: Lower Mainland Canada Goose Conflict Mapping Project
This humerous video from the Hoilies Executive Course in Port Alberni shows the fun side of the game and what it can and should be about - having fun! Port Alberni, located in the center of Vancouver Island, prides itself as the "Salmon Fishing Capital of Canada" but this video shows why Port Alberni has also turned out two of the best women golfers in Canada (full disclosure, I'm a resident of Port Alberni). The Hollies Executive Course and nearby Alberni Golf Club provide great opportunities to learn the game in an accessible and affordable way.
link provided courtesy Jim Lee, BC Golf Association