Western Canada Turfgrass Association Formalizes Partnership with First Green ‘Links as Labs’ Program
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.
The MOU comes after a more than a year of the two group’s efforts introducing western Canadian golf course superintendents to this unique program that brings environmental education to students in grade 5 and up using golf courses as environmental learning labs.
“So what happens when you bring kids to a golf course to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Math?” asked WCTA President Trevor Smith. “THEY LOVE IT!”
Under the agreement, the WCTA agrees to:
• Promote First Green field trips to its membership.
• If applicable, offer Continuing Education Units for holding field trips.
• Put First Green logo and live link to thefirstgreen.org in prominent location on WCTA website.
• Use only First Green-authorized logos and signage.
• Comply with all trademark usage requirements.
• Obtain pre-approval of press releases mentioning First Green.
• Provide updates to First Green on local programs and training on an agreed upon basis.
• Assist First Green in collecting survey feedback information during field trips and share this information with First Green
Responsibilities and expectations of First Green include training WCTA staff and Directors in the program, participate in WCTA demo events, provide an annual report and offer support resources to help promote the First Green program.
Further information can be found at First Green or Watch video
About the WCTA:
The WCTA is a 700 plus member not-for-profit association based in western Canada and interested in further education, research and the exchange of information related to turfgrass management. Members represent a diversity of sectors such as golf courses, school boards, municipalities, sod farms, nurseries, landscapers, lawn bowling greens, mechanics, horticulturists and industry suppliers.
The organization is actively involved in the promotion and support of research, education and discussion in professional turfgrass management.
Media contact:
Jerry Rousseau, Executive Director
(604) 869-9282
exec.director@wctaturf.com
www.wcta-online.com
About First Green
First Green coordinates outdoor “learning labs” at golf courses that allow students to perform hands-on experiments and tests, all within the focus of their schools’ environmental science and/or horticulture curricula. In the outdoor “labs” students test water quality, collect soil samples, identify plants and assist in stream-bed restoration. First Green also emphasizes the environmental and community benefits of golf courses, while introducing potential new golfers to the game in a fun, educational manner. A tax-exempt nonprofit, First Green was founded in the State of Washington in 1997 and is expanding across the U.S.and internationally. For more information and to view introductory First Green videos, visit www.thefirstgreen.org.