Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Environmentally sustainable turfgrass management

Plan Goal

Providing turf professionals and homeowners statewide with information regarding sustainable turfgrass maintenance practices with emphasis on turfgrass selection and irrigation water conservation.

Situation Statement

Turfgrass covers large areas in urban centers of the state which results in considerable impact to the state’s economy. There are approximately 100 golf courses in New Mexico, numerous athletic fields (baseball, soccer, football fields), parks, and thousands of home lawns. Water is the biggest concern in turf management as quantity and quality can rarely be maximized for optimum growth and maintenance. Especially for athletic fields, such as high school football fields, the maintenance resources are not readily available to provide adequate turfgrass maintenance. Therefore the conditions on these fields range from very poor to average. Homeowners spend a great deal of time and resources to achieve the perfect looking lawn and are often prevented from reaching their goals because of water quality, quantity and species selection. Golf courses range in quality from the top fifteen nationwide for public golf courses to poor quality due to water limitations and restrictions. If research is conducted and information is provided on proper turfgrass selection and efficient irrigation water use, quality of turfgrass areas will increase while the use of potable water for irrigation will decrease.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience is composed of athletic field managers, city grounds personnel, golf course superintendents, Master Gardeners, home owners, and the tourism industry associated with golf courses. Information will be distributed through extension publications, published scientific studies, workshops, presentations and individual verbal communication with anyone interested in creating or enhancing turfgrass areas. Assistance will be provided through individual verbal communication and/or site inspection of the area being considered for turf management. Additionally, maintenance recommendations will be incorporated into Extension publications, event proceedings, and popular press.

Short-Term Objectives

Raise awareness of economic importance of Green Industry in New Mexico
Providing evidence and information to support the importance of turf and green spaces in arid urban environments
Motivating turf managers and homeowners to apply water conservation strategies in turf maintenance

Medium-Term Objectives

Change attitudes of turf managers and home owners on the importance of water conservation and the benficial role of turf in arid urban environemnts
Influence decision and policy making in municipalities regarding the implementation of efficient irrigation systems and using alternative water sources to irrigate green spaces

Long-Term Objectives

The creation of sustainable, water efficient turf areas in urban areas in the arid Southwest to provide heat and carbon sinks that help improve environmental conditions and air quality
A large-scale change in attitudes towards turf and associated maintenance practices, and the recognition of the importance of green spaces in urban settings, even within arid regions, to create a more livable environment

Evaluation Plan

Knowledge and behavior surveys will be used to measure short and medium term objectives. Measurable objectives will be assessed through questionnaires handed out immediately after program participation. Long term impact will be assessed by distributing surveys to clientele one year after training seminars were taken.