At the recent Service Dealer Conference, held at the Crowne Plaza  Stratford Upon Avon, I had the chance to hear five guest speakers, one of whom was Ellis Watson, a business leader, whose impressive career has taken him on a journey including senor roles with Mirror Group Newspapers and Simon Cowell - leading businesses through change and disruption.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to hear many motivational speakers, however listening to Ellis was a real eye opener, especially reflecting on how communication skills between people have changed in recent years and will continue to change as technologies develop.

It seems face-to-face communication has changed dramatically, with most people relying on their phone, tablets and computers to connect and correspond with other people. 

As a business leader he was aware of the issues facing machinery dealerships. He talked about how dealers should build their passion into their work. He told the room how it's vital to make customers feel that as businesses, we are really pleased to see them.

He also stressed how dealers need to be open to change and disruption. He said a dealer's greatest strength will be their years and years of experience - but how their greatest weakness could also be their years and years of experience! He said, "It's so bloody important to challenge your own model."

He went on to tell delegates, "The joy of surpassing your own ceiling of potential, is so fulfilling." He said dealers have the ability evolve themselves and their businesses, concluding, "You'll say with this disruption has come this amazing opportunity."

Ellis emphasised the importance of personal interactions and passion in dealerships, arguing that electronic communication is diminishing human connection. He stressed that leadership must demonstrate values and inspire staff to enhance productivity and job satisfaction. Sharing a personal anecdote, he highlighted the impact of a dynamic, honest leader on employee motivation. 

Ellis also advocated for continuous self-improvement and challenging the status quo, using his own experience of running a marathon as a metaphor for overcoming personal and professional challenges. He concluded by urging leaders to foster a culture of collaboration and open communication to adapt to industry changes and enhance business models.

I believe you must reflect on your own business models and identify opportunities for disruption and improvement and seek feedback from your team on how you can be a better leader and improve the efficiency of your operations.

Encourage a culture of kindness, sincerity, and integrity in your workplace’s interactions with customers and staff.

Ellis also highlighted the importance of productive work over just being busy and how it impacts the overall success of the workplace.

He stressed the importance of leaders demonstrating values, being dynamic and honest. He encouraged leaders to take control of what they can and not to be dispassionate about productivity.

He emphasised that the way leaders behave and interact with their teams significantly impacts the overall culture and productivity of a workplace. 

For me, listening to this speech, was one of those special moments when you realise that by working together, we can achieve almost anything. I strongly believe our industry is all about people. We all play our part in driving our sector forward and delivering such a vast range of services to maintain our unique landscape, public services plus providing a pleasing environment for people to live in. 

In a first-of-its-kind event, the GMA, Hull City FC and East Riding FA recently came together to welcome over 60 local grassroots volunteers to the MKM Stadium.

This behind-the-scenes experience offered participants an insight into professional grounds management and enabled grassroots volunteers the opportunity to learn more about the skill and techniques utilised to maintain an elite playing surface.

Attendees, who are all part of East Riding’s ‘Pitch Partners’ programme, were given a guided tour of the stadium, oversaw different aspects of pitch testing and were provided insight into the science behind pitch care. There was also the opportunity to learn about the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service and how it supports grassroots organisations such as clubs, local authorities and educational institutions to ensure that playing surfaces meet the highest standards possible.

Chris Hunter, GMA regional pitch advisor said, “This event really shows how important it is for everyone involved in sport, from volunteers to professionals, to come together and share ideas. To see so many grassroots volunteers here today has been fantastic. An event of this scale would not have been possible without the work of all the stakeholders involved.

“It’s not often that these individuals, who work so hard behind the scenes to make sport possible, get to experience the professional side of grounds management. We’re grateful to Hull City and all the partners for providing such an enriching experience and showcasing the importance of community.”

The ‘Day in the Life of Hull City’s Head Grounds Manager’ not only highlighted the practicalities of maintaining grass surfaces but also enabled the community-focused attendees to network with like-minded volunteers as well as professional grounds people and grounds care experts.

Representatives from the Football Foundation were on hand to provide information about potential funding grants and further avenues of support that could be taken away to help community clubs across the region.

Adam Lowthorpe, East Riding County Football Association chief executive officer said, “It is with great delight that we have been able to welcome so many volunteers from across the breadth of our county to this fantastic workshop today. Our collaboration with the Grounds Management Association and Hull City AFC is another significant step in our attempts to provide more high-quality grass football pitches for people to play on and enjoy grassroots football in East Riding.”

Aaron Tong, head groundsman at Hull City, said, “Grassroots football is close to my heart, and it was a pleasure to host the event at our stadium and give something back to grassroots in the community. We showed them our equipment and a few of the jobs we do on the pitch, shared our matchday operations and post-match procedures, as well as giving them a stadium tour. They asked questions on what to do in different scenarios and asked for our advice on their pitches. We hope they found our outside perspective useful and that everyone left having learned something new.”

We’re proud to announce that at TurfPro's sister publication's event, the Service Dealer Awards 2024, a grand total of £3,500 was raised for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

Comedian Charlie Baker and TAP's Emma Craigie make the draw for the raffle at last week's Service Dealer Awards, which raised funds for MND

Luke Robson, regional fundraiser, said, “The generosity and efforts of the Service Dealer team, guests, sponsors and industry will make a real difference, and we are truly grateful for your commitment to fighting this devastating disease.” 

Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke added, "Well done and thank you to everyone who donated on the night to raise such vital funds for the charity."

If you would like to know more about the MND Association and want to give a donation, you can find all the info you need, here.

DGM Ltd has expanded its offerings by partnering with Yamaha.

Steve Dommett, director/owner of DGM Ltd & Carl Stuart, area sales manager, Yamaha UK

The dealership says this strategic alliance will enable them to provide customers with a wider range of high-quality outdoor equipment, including Yamaha’s ATVs and golf cars.

"We're thrilled to partner with Yamaha," said Steve and Charlotte Dommett, owners of DGM Ltd. "This exciting collaboration will not only attract new customers to our business but also offer our existing client base a wider range of high-quality products. We're particularly excited about the potential of Yamaha's golf cars and utility vehicles, especially within our existing golf course customer base."

Carl Stuart, area sales manager at Yamaha UK, added, “We’re delighted to welcome DGM Ltd to the Yamaha family,” said  “Their strong reputation and commitment to customer service make them the perfect partner for us. We’re confident that they will be a great success in the region.”

THE BEST YET

ALWAYS A JOY TO VISIT

FROST & SNOW MANAGEMENT

TIME TO COME TOGETHER

A GREAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

ATTENDING TRADE SHOWS IS IMPORTANT

AUTUMN COLOUR ON SHOW

AUTUMN DISEASE PRESSURES

THE TRUE VALUE OF PARKS

PITCH SATURATION

INVEST TO SURVIVE

A POSITIVE GROUNDSFEST

AUTUMN LAWN RENOVATION TIPS

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?

BATTLE OF THE ROBOTS

HEDGE FUND

CONTROLLING WEEDS

LETTING THE GRASS GROW . . .

ENHANCING THE CAREERS OF TURF PROFESSIONALS

RISE OF THE ROBOTS

WE ALL KNOW IT'S SUMMER . .

DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS

FACILITIES MUST RECOGNISE & REWARD TURF PROFESSIONALS

AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR OUR PROFESSION

IN-DEPTH WORK REQUIRED

A SAD DECLINE

WHAT MAKES A PERFECT LAWN?

WE MUST NOT BE THE CREATORS OF OUR OWN DOWNFALL

RENOVATIONS ON TOUR

A WORRYING TIME FOR PARKS

CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONDITIONS

STILL DELIVERING QUALITY GREEN SPACES

WATCH OUT!

THE VALUE OF SPRING RENOVATIONS

FULLY LOADED ARMOURY

THE VALUE OF TREES

WE MUST SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE

COUNCIL SERVICES IN DECLINE

INVESTING IN NATURAL GRASS PITCHES

WORRY OF WEATHER CLOSURES

BUSY & BUZZY BTME

A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS

COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGES

View all of 2023's blogs here

View all of 2022's blogs here

View all of 2021's blogs here

View all of 2020's blogs here

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

VINTAGE PUSH MOWER USE
Enthusiast maintains lawn the old fashioned way

SUSTAINABLE AMENITY MANAGEMENT
Principles and practises

PLACING URBAN GREEN SPACES AT THE HEART OF INFRASTRUCTURE
Midlands Parks Forum's annual conference

RAISING THE VOICE
At the Amenity Forum's annual conference

SUSTAINABLE PARKS
Parks For London case study

WHY GRASSROOTS RUGBY IS IN DECLINE
A steady drop off in participation.

SEEDS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Focus on a major supplier of grass seed and related products to the amenity sector

ON TEST
STIHL BGA 300 cordless leaf backpack blower

ON TEST
EGO Multi-tool

PUT THEM ON THE TOOLS!
Time for an attitude change

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TRAINING SECTOR
Grasping the challenge of encouraging more sustainable practice

SUSTAINABILITY IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Lessons learnt and experiences

SKILL SETS NEED RECOGNITION
Turf professionals are underappreciated

GREATER RESPECT FOR GROUNDS STAFF MIGHT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
To the recruitment crisis

A COMPETITIVE SALARY
Why employers should advertise the salary when recruiting new staff

ON TEST
Makita XGT UV001G lawn scarifier

AN EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN MACHINERY SUPPLY
Focus on Kubota

MY PERSONAL GREENKEEPING PHILOSOPHY HAS NEVER CHANGED
I don't follow any set program

SUSTAINABILITY IN LANDSCAPING
A substantial element of amenity activity

IS IT TIME TO SAY NO TO 'NO MOW MAY'?
Any real benefits?

SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR PARKS & PUBLIC GREEN SPACES
Meeting the challenge

THE PATH TO WIMBLEDON
For groundstaff member, Conrad Cavil

ON TEST
EGO LBP8000E backpack blower

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE LAWN CARE SECTOR
A key consideration

BEEKEEPING IN COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENTS
The current situation

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IN THE AMENITY SUPPLY SECTOR
Optimising land use through integrated solutions

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE GOLF SECTOR
Focus on BIGGA

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
Bringing together key points

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR GOLF
R&A are supporting clubs

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF EVERY POUND OF BUDGET
A course manager's view

A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS
Who look after grassroots pitches

SUSTAINABILITY & THE UK ACTION PLAN
For weed, pest and disease management

CONCERN FOR PARKS FOLLOWING COUNCIL BANKRUPTCIES
What does the future hold?

TAKING A GLOBAL LOOK AT SUSTAINABILITY
Is the rest of the world also driving towards sustainable practice?

RENOVATIONS, PLAY AND THANKS
On my mind this week

SUSTAINABILITY – IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING & EDUCATION
Set to play a crucial role going forward

TULIP TREE
Liriodendron tulipifera

LYDIA BROOM
Genista lydia

THE LAWN AND ITS VALUE
Changing attitudes

GIANT HOGWEED
Invasive and potentially harmful

LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS & SUSTAINABILITY
Considering every stage of the journey

NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
The most important nutrient

BERBERIS THUNBERGII
A shrub that has stood the test of time

ENSURING FUTURE PROSPERITY
Advice imparted at road shows

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
A key focus

PHOTINA RED ROBIN
A sensational flowering shrub

VALUING THE GRASSROOTS
We must not overlook those who maintain these grounds

MANAGING WEEDS SUSTAINABLY
In amenity spaces

DETECTING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In turf plants

SPRING RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
A crucial period

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY
A focus on those who supply essential inputs to our sector

CHANGING CLIMATE
Is a borehole the key for clubs?

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE SHARP END
How to put into practice when budgets are tight?

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF GRASSROOTS RUGBY
Clubs are struggling

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Seeking transparent and robust supply chains is essential

TIME FOR ACTION
To reverse recruitment crisis

CONTROLLING COSTS
Planning is crucial

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What exactly does the term mean?

CARING FOR THE GRASSROOTS
From volunteers to contractors

DEFRA IS LETTING DOWN THE COUNTRY
Complete failure to address the plastic grass debate

WE CAN ALL DO MORE
To aid biodiversity

MY LIFE IN GREENKEEPING
With Bruce Cruickshank

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

Over the last 12 months in this series of articles, I have taken the opportunity each month to look in more depth at individual organisations in the amenity sector. How are they seeking to be more sustainable and, importantly, how are they seeking to advise and support members or customers?

This month I have sought to bring together some of the key points that have emerged, especially in terms of how to deliver sustainable practice in a practical way. I also use examples from discussions over the last twelve months.

The key to implementing sustainable practice is firstly to understand what it means. The second essential is to recognise that it is best implemented by an audit of existing practice and recognising the steps that can be taken to deliver greater sustainability. Key also, in making change, is that all factors are taken into account. What these articles have shown is that an action seeking to be more sustainable may in fact impact elsewhere and produce the opposite result. The danger of green washing is ever present.

Understanding the meaning of sustainability

I make no apologies in repeating the definition of sustainability. It has three pillars of equal importance – economic, environmental and social. Taking an action which seeks to protect the environment, but is neither economically viable nor beneficial socially, is not a sustainable action. Seeking to be sustainable requires a truly integrated approach. Recently I had a really interesting discussion with Gary Barwell at Edgbaston, a man with many years’ experience in the sector, and gained his thoughts on sustainability and its implementation. 

Gary is committed to implementing sustainable practice and emphasises that this is a feature of all activities at the complex. Indeed Edgbaston has recently employed a sustainability manager to its team. However, Gary equally emphasises that, in seeking to be more sustainable, a clear understanding of current practice is important (the audit) and, in looking to change, a full route map is taken, ensuring the new approach is in fact more sustainable. He cites the change to electric mowers. Edgbaston have indeed taken this step in the main stadium but, before doing so, a full analysis of cost and performance was undertaken. Gary emphasises that the change needed to stack up against all pillars of sustainability. It was also important to consider recycling opportunities for machines replaced, making use of them perhaps on the practice pitches and ultimately offering to local non-profit cricket grounds.

Sustainable practice is good practice

Gary fully subscribes to this view that sustainable practice is really good practice. The dangers of making decisions without that fully integrated approach, without a route map, are that best intents to be more sustainable can fail. As I have often referred to in these articles, it is vital in taking actions to also consider the full life cycle of any operation or purchase to gain the full carbon footprint implications. Gary applies this to the use of water. Every step is taken to ensure efficient use of water. However, at least for now, Edgbaston has not moved to major water catchment methods. Given its location, water from rooves naturally flows into the nearby river. It is not ruled out but again the view is to take a fully integrated approach and assessment before taking extra actions.

Another example of implementing sustainable practice is at a major football stadium I visited. A key focus for the discussions here was how can football, through the management of its pitches and stadium, contribute to the sustainable agenda and help meet targets to reduce carbon emissions. Again the need for auditing current practice are emphasised before making changes. However key points from this discussion can be summarised as below.

• Seeking to, as much as possible, recycle waste products and divert waste disposal away from landfill
• Reducing single use plastics
• Continuing to investigate alternative forms of transport and power equipment, seeking to reduce environmental impact
• Examining opportunities to improve biodiversity, including potential for the creation of  a living wall and roof garden within the facilities
• Considering water harvesting from rooves and re-cycling water
• Change to LED bulbs for grow lights which are essential to promote grass growth in shaded stadium areas. 

Integrated approaches to weed, pest and disease management

These discussions were supplemented with one from golf and looking, in particular, at what taking an integrated approach meant to them in terms of weed, pest and disease management. Some key points were:

• If starting to build, a free draining root-zone is the beginning for all golf and winter sports turf surfaces. Grass species and cultivars can be chosen and the maintenance programme planned to encourage their growth without pest, weed or disease. Organic matter control is probably the number one cultural control that helps all elements of golf green and sports pitch management.
• As water is required for grass growth, but also for germination and infection by many of the important turf grass pathogens, water management is of great importance. Two maintenance practices are considered; applying irrigation when grass plants require water and keeping the grass surface as dry as possible.
• The period of leaf wetness is also key. Leaf surfaces remaining wet all night encourage pathogens to germinate and potentially infect the grass plants. Dew is also removed by switching, brushing or using dew removal products to reduce the time that the surface stays wet.
• Establishing or over sowing with desirable grass species, especially in combination with organic matter control, helps to ensure ‘fine’ turf surfaces optimal for smooth and true golf greens.
• Consideration of the release pattern of fertilisers can help to prevent peaks and troughs in fertility. Slow release and controlled release fertilisers can ‘drip feed’ the grass, creating more even growth patterns with less stress to the plants, and so reducing susceptibility to low fertility diseases.  
• Using iron sulphate, especially over the autumn and winter period, has helped to reduce diseases such as microdochium patch. This also helps darken the green colour of the grass and put any moss that has crept in at a disadvantage.   

The key message emerging from this particular discussion was again to plan in an integrated manner and, in doing so, deliver on the agenda of sustainable practice.

My final discussion referred to here relates one some months ago and relating to lawncare. How is this sector seeking to adapt to the sustainability and net zero agendas? Here are some steps being taken by one particular organisation. 

• Moving to the use of electric vehicles: Staff engaged in professional lawn care need to travel from house to house and so a vehicle is essential. Electric power makes sense although there are difficulties, including charging capacity and domestic access to charging, and, where larger vehicles are needed for bigger lawns, the extra weight can be an issue. However technology continues to develop and the trend to electric, and indeed hydrogen in future, will continue, linked to government targets and pressures.
• Adding services to the offer to customers; of course partly driven by profitability motives but also sustainability. Such services include water conservers and soil improvers as well as advice to customers on sustainable issues.
• Other sustainable action includes re-cycling and seeking to move away from plastic and using slow release fertilisers and organic products where possible, as developments in the fertiliser industry continue.
• Using tracking software produces reports for drivers seeking to create safer approaches and more sustainable practice
• The use of authorised pesticide to combat the damage caused through pests will continue where possible but it will be linked with advice to customers on cultural ways of reducing incidence of the pests, such as less thatch. The use of nematodes is complex given the small scale of most lawns.
• Commitment to best practice and recognised standards. 

So what does this tell us? Well, whilst implementing sustainable practice can seem daunting, it need not be so. Maybe current operations are the most sustainable.  So the first step is to undertake that audit. The next is to identify actions that can be considered to be more sustainable. These should be considered in an integrated way considering all three pillars of sustainability. 

From my discussions with organisations over the last year, it is clear much is being achieved and in many aspects amenity is leading the field. The drive to greater sustainability cannot be ignored but my discussions reveal a real willingness to embrace it. It is seen as less of a challenge but more an opportunity. The key is determining how best not just to implement sustainable practice but also demonstrating this. In reality much is already being done and it is important that we say this loud and proud. Too often the amenity sector can be criticised, yet so much is being done. Everybody involved needs to say that.

In my monthly articles in 2025, I will take a particular focus on both constructing and implementing integrated management plans, key to sustainable practice, and likely to become more and more required by external agencies in future.

Previous articles in this series

SUSTAINABLE AMENITY MANAGEMENT

SUSTAINABLE PARKS

SEEDS OF SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TRAINING SECTOR

SUSTAINABILITY IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES

AN EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN MACHINERY SUPPLY

SUSTAINABILITY IN LANDSCAPING

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE GOLF SECTOR

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IN THE AMENITY SUPPLY SECTOR

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE LAWN CARE SECTOR

SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR PARKS & PUBLIC GREEN SPACES