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What does sustainability really mean? Is your turf ready for winter?

We hear a lot about sustainability in our industry today. But what does sustainability actually mean?

According to Dictionary.com, “sustainability is defined as the quality of not being harmful to the environment, depleting natural resources and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance.” Well, that definition is all well and good on paper, but what does sustainability really mean? 

On a webinar entitled Sustainability and Preparing for Another Winter, Professor Cale A. Bigelow of Purdue University stated that in reality, sustainability includes three major inter-related components otherwise known as the 3 Es:

Environmental protection

Economic prosperity and continuity

Equity or the social well-being

For those in golf or any turf-related field, the government or pressure from the general masses is influencing the way we care for plants and turf.  Fertilizer, pesticide and water regulations are looming in many regions around the country. Even if they aren’t putting pressure on your course or landscape today that doesn’t mean regulations and public pressure won’t come in to play tomorrow.

Making Your Turf GREENER!

Consider how you can make your course or landscapes greener. For turf professionals, that could mean introducing native plants in landscapes that consume less water and sometimes require less fertilizers and pesticides; it could also mean introducing organics to turf fertility programs to cut back on synthetic reliance; or utilizing green machinery.

For some of our turf brethren overseas, alternative and/or sustainable practices are the only option.

For example, in 1997, the Danish government declared a ban on pesticide use on all public lands. This ban included the country’s 180 golf courses. The Danish Golf Union retaliated but by 2005, the government and union reached an agreement to reduce pesticide use by 75% within 3 years.

While we might not be facing as much pressure as Denmark, public attitudes towards sustainability and government regulations are in vogue. Check out Professor Cale A. Bigelow’s presentation on sustainability and preparing for another winter for the full story.  

 

Holganix Products: Tools that maximize agronomics and Sustainability

Holganix Bio 800+ charges soils with microbes to build soil health and plant health naturally. The microbes in Bio 800+ stimulate healthy plant growth in foliage and roots, convert and release nutrients and improve the plants' ability to tolerate stress from weather, disease and traffic.

At Holganix, we believe that by caring for the soils, we can revolutionize the way the world grows - whether it's crops, turf or trees and ornamentals. 

Hear from professionals like you that use Holganix products to maximize their agronomics while also improve your organization's sustainability.

HEAR FROM PROFESSIONALS LIKE YOU

Posted by Kaitlyn Ersek on Oct 14, 2014 3:55:00 PM

Kaitlyn Ersek

Topics: lawn care, sports turf, golf course

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