Current Projects
2022-23 Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund Grant in cooperation with NYSTA:
Task 1: Creating Your Golf Facility BMP Document – Workshop
Prioritizing, documenting, and implementing BMPs at the facility level remains an important step for superintendents to demonstrate their commitment to natural resource protection at their facilities. Although the facility BMP template is available to the state’s superintendents via the GCSAA’s on-line tool, additional efforts need to be undertaken to encourage and assist superintendents to utilize this resource. Therefore, this task will provide superintendents the opportunity and guidance for creating their own facility BMP document in a classroom setting, using available resources.
We will create an in-person workshop designed to introduce superintendents to the facility BMP template and help guide them through the development process. Under this task, we will develop a workshop curriculum, acquire DEC/GCSAA credit, as available, for workshop attendees, and collaborate with all five GCSAA chapter superintendent associations in scheduling the workshops.
We will incorporate the following content into the workshop:
- A short review of the importance of BMPs.
- Introduction to the facility BMP template and process.
- Hands on instruction for using the GCSAA on-line tool while attendees create their document on-site.
- All participants will have the opportunity to leave the workshop with a completed golf facility BMP document.
- We will develop a short survey following each workshop to evaluate the workshop and revise, if needed, for future offerings.
In addition, throughout the year we will be available by phone or email to assist superintendents with specific issues and questions as they arise.
Task 2: Assist Individual Superintendents in the Development and Adoption of Their Golf Facility BMP Document
Under this task, we will utilize the help of a leading expert to personally assist 5 superintendents, from around the state, in completing the development and adoption of the golf BMP document at their facility. An important element of this task is to represent a broad range of levels and styles of golf facilities, ranging from public to private. By representing a comprehensive range of golf facilities, we will create a sense of inclusivity which will allow for greater impact during the promotional phase of the task and lead to greater participation in the BMP adoption process. Completing each document will be accomplished utilizing the NY BMP document located on the GCSAA BMP tool. Communication for the task will be accomplished via email and/or telephone. The completion of each document will be used as promotional material via the foundation’s social media platform to help gain momentum with superintendents around the state. In addition, a written article describing the undertaking will be submitted to each of the 5 Golf Course Superintendent of America Association (GCSAA) chapters to be used in their member newsletter or other promotional materials as desired.
Each completed document will include personalized details pertaining to the selected facility. A personalized professional graphically designed cover will be included for each document.
