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June 2024 Special Feature Play & Activity
Initiative launched to advance worldwide sustainability in golf The Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research Foundation (STERF), The R&A, the United States Golf Association (USGA) have launched the International Turfgrass Research Initiative to further the advancement of sustainable approaches to golf course and turfgrass management. The International Turfgrass Research Initiative is a legacy of the 14th International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC) hosted by STERF in collaboration with the International Turfgrass Society (ITS) in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2022.
funded to develop practical solutions which can be adopted by those managing golf facilities and turfgrass areas, in response to the most pressing challenges facing the management of turfgrass and golf courses worldwide, including pest control, water conservation, preserving biodiversity and landscapes, and understanding the climate impact on turfgrass and golf landscapes.
Development and sustainability were the themes of the conference and STERF and ITS agreed that investing in international turfgrass research would be the most appropriate legacy from ITRC2022.
Maria Strandberg, STERF Director and Past President of International Turfgrass Society, said, “For golf and other turf sports that use land and nature as their sports arena, the challenges are many and diverse, and will strongly affect future operations. New research, competence and modification of standard approaches in the golf and turf sports sector are needed to conquer these challenges.”
Beginning later this year, multiyear research projects will be
Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainable Golf at The R&A,
said the initiative is an important step towards developing practical solutions that can be used by golf facilities worldwide to address the challenges being experienced in golf course and turfgrass management.
providing guidance and support to golf facilities so that they are better equipped to manage the impact that climate change and change in legislation can have on the maintenance of courses,” he added.
“We are aiming to positively influence standards and practice in sustainable agronomy through
A call for research proposals will be issued in May and submissions reviewed by a group
of researchers, practitioners and experts working in the field of golf course and turfgrass management. The successful applicants will be announced at the 15th International Turfgrass Research Conference being held in Japan next year.
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Biggest wellbeing survey launches Perennial, the charity dedicated to supporting people in horticulture, has launched its largest ever survey to gain a snapshot into the wellbeing of those working in the industry. Building on the success of the 2021 Health & Wellbeing Survey, Perennial is calling upon all those working across all sectors to participate in the 2024 survey as their feedback really will make a difference. The charity wants to understand more about people’s daily lives, both inside and outside of work, and the pressures they may be facing - not only to develop their
services but to inform others within the industry on the key issues and challenges being faced. The anonymous survey will run until the end of June and is open to all sectors within horticulture. The results will be analysed and reported on by the University of Exeter and the findings shared with the industry this coming autumn. By sharing the survey findings, Perennial aims to support and empower the industry to take proactive steps to address such identified challenges. While acknowledging that not all issues can be solved singlehandedly, Perennial believes
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in adopting a collaborative approach and working in partnership with the horticulture sector for positive change. Julia Hayne, Perennial’s Director of Services, emphasised the importance of sector collaboration, stating, “The research will enable us to formulate more effective tools and support strategies to enhance wellbeing now and into the future. It’s a further step towards achieving our vision of building better futures for people working in horticulture and their families.” Perennial Enquiry 2
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