Environmentally Sound Turfgrass and Golf Course Management
Properly developed and managed turfgrass for golf courses, commercial, residential, and other uses is aesthetically pleasing and considered an excellent soil and water conserving system. Using integrated irrigation, cultural, nutrient, and pest control practices, the benefits of environmentally sound turfgrass management are maximized while mitigating the potential adverse effects. Development of a healthy and quality golf course, residential, and commercial turfgrass in areas with suitable soils and appropriate turfgrass species is one of the best methods for protecting the water, soil, wetland, and habitat resources.
Spectrum Research, Inc. is a national leader in the development of environmentally sound Turfgrass Management System (TMS) plans, consulting on turfgrass as a component of development plans and conducting watershed scale research on the effects of turfgrass system development and management.
See our publication page for a look at the specific projects we have accomplished.
A structure for comprehensive TMS plans for residential, commercial and golf course turfgrass has been developed by Spectrum Research, Inc. Spectrum Research, Inc. provides services in all of these components of TMS plans.
TMS plans are essential for permits and management for existing and proposed:
- Golf courses
- Recreational and commercial facilities
- Residential development projects
- Stormwater plans for commercial and industrial facilities
- Maintaining TMDL goals
Critical components in all TMS plans include:
- Goals and Objectives
- Review and Summary of the Current Turfgrass Management System
- Review of Site Turfgrass, Vegetation, and Other Natural Resources
- Review of Environmental Effects and Risk Factors
- Implementing the TMS Plan
- Establishing Realistic Turfgrass and Vegetation Quality Goals
- Selecting the Intensity of Turfgrass and Vegetation Management Practices
- Establishing Critical Turfgrass and Vegetation Best Management Practices
- Integrated Best Management Practices for the TMS Plan
- Soil, a Fundamental Resource
- Water Use, Water Conservation, and Irrigation
- Erosion, Runoff, Leaching, Drainage, and Natural Resource Control
- Nutrient Management: Fertilizers and Irrigation
- Pest and Disease Control
- General Guidelines for Pest and Disease Management (IPM)
- Specific Integrated Pest and Disease Management Practices
- Weeds, Insects, Nematodes, Diseases
- Screening Evaluation for Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Nematicides, Fungicides)
- Problem Area Assessment
- Development of Training Program for Equipment Handling, Calibration, and Maintenance
- Monitoring and Recordkeeping Program
- Utilization of computer simulation models to determine soil and water quality effects of existing and proposed turfgrass and golf course projects
| 
