(LAWRENCE, Kan.) – Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) – the organization for 2,700 men and women professionals overseeing sports fields from recreational, professional and major college programs across the country to ensure athlete safety – celebrates Earth Day with the release of Best Management Practices for the Sports Field Manager: A Professional Guide for Environmental Sports Field Management.
This free resource is available at www.STMA.org and serves as a comprehensive compilation of environmental best practices for STMA members and non-members, equipping them with the tools and resources to document solid environmental practices for legislators, regulators, employers and community constituents.
Already being implemented in select regions, the guide can be customized by STMA members and affiliated chapters to reflect state or local government requirements. Chapter members are the most knowledgeable about their state’s approaching legislation and can customize and then distribute the guide to appropriate legislators to educate or respond to impending regulations affecting the sports field management industry. STMA will provide instructions on how to customize various sections, as well as names of knowledgeable consultants who can assist.
“Despite best intentions, it is not uncommon for legislation to be introduced that can negatively impact the ability of Sports Field Managers to provide safe playing surfaces for their athletes,” says Nick McKenna, CSFM, President of STMA. “Those introducing the bills are not in our industry, and thus they are not well-informed about the ramifications legislation may have on STMA members ability to protect both the environment and athletes. The guide was created to be a valuable educational resource.”
“Although our members have been following excellent practices, this program validates and positions the Sports Field Manager as a strong steward of the environment, which will aid in educating decisionmakers,” says Kim Heck, CAE, CEO of STMA. “The guide is the result of countless hours of research and insights aimed at providing all members of our industry with the educational tools to do their job to the best of their ability, while protecting the environment.”
Spanning more than 100 pages, the guide includes 12 unique sections:
Planning, Design, and Construction Turfgrass Establishment Cultural Practices: Mowing Cultural Practices: Nutrient Management Cultural Practices: Irrigation Cultural Practices: Cultivation and Surface Management Cultural Practices: Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Management Sustainable Landscaping Synthetic Turf Maintenance Operations Emergency Preparedness
“This guide will be key to sports field managers across the country and allow them to work in conjunction with local policymakers like never before,” says Patrick Coakley, CSFM, BMP Committee Chair, of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Turf Managers Association. “MASTMA is the first chapter to implement the customizable variables of the guide to fit our regions criteria and rather than a one-size fits all approach, these elements make it applicable down to the smallest details.”
This resource was developed by the BMP Task group, led by consultant Stacey Kingsbury, Task Group Chair, Vickie Wallace and staff liaison Kristen Althouse. Beyond Sports Field Managers, others will benefit from knowing the environmental stewardship practices that are in place at sports facilities, including athletes, coaches, parents and community leaders. To learn more, please visit www.STMA.org.
STMA.org | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube More information: 800.323.3875.
About STMA
STMA is the non-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, it has provided education, information and practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. More than 2,700 members across 32 local chapters oversee facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums. Sports include football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, softball, rugby and horse racing.
