WCTA Launches First Green ‘Links as Labs’ Program

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.

First Green is an innovative environmental education outreach program using golf courses as environmental learning labs. 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 environmental horticulture curricula. In these outdoor labs, students test water quality, collect soil samples, identify plants, do math activities and work with local issues such as stream-bed or owl-nest restoration.

Started in 1997 in Bellevue, Washington, over 15,000 students have participated in First Green field trips. Each field trip reaches an estimated 230 people with environmental and golf messages (due to students sharing with friends and families and teachers sharing with colleagues).  A recent sampling of cities and participating golf courses and schools include:

• Bellevue, Wash.: Glendale Golf & Country Club hosted International , Sammamish and Interlake High 
• Vancouver, Wash./Portland, Ore.: Royal Oaks Country Club hosted Pacific Crest Academy 
• Spokane Country Club: annual planting day with 100+ high school students 
• University Place, Wash.: Chambers Bay, host of the 2015 US Open, hosted Sacred Heart School 
• Bloomfield, N.J.: Forest Hill Field Club hosted Clifton Public School #16 
• Oakland, Calif.: Metropolitan Golf Links hosted Oakland High School

The program is made possible by a $155,750 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) grant by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for 2014. The grant is funded by the USGA’s partnership with Chevron, designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines (STEM) through the world of golf.   Ongoing support is received from the Washington State Golf Association, Pacific Northwest Golf Association, golf clubs and individual donors.

Grade school students learn about streambed restoration and stewardship during First Green outing. Image supplied by First Green.

The First Green Mission is to support environmental education, STEM learning and stewardship.   The program illustrates the environmental and community benefits of golf courses and introduces potential golfers to golf courses!

About the WCTA:
The WCTA is a 750 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