SFMA IN ACTION stewardship practices at their facilities . This certification shows that field managers are employing the best environmental management practices at their facilities . As the pressure to adopt environmentally responsible practices increases , certification will show the public that SFMA members are aware of and utilizing the most up-to-date environmental practices .
The certification program is now in its 3.0 version and includes two new sections for assessment : Managed Landscape and Open Spaces and Synthetic Surfaces . The certification process involves an electronic assessment , which can be taken from any computer or smart device . Interested members must first fill out their Environmental Facility Certification Report Card Parts I and II electronically and submit it . These forms can be found on the SFMA website .
The program has a $ 50 initial fee , which is used to evaluate the answers to determine if the facility qualifies to move to the next step , attesting . If the attester validates that the practices are in place , the facility will be awarded Environmental Facility Certification . The certification is valid for three years . After three years , a simple form needs to be completed that validates the environmental practices are still in place . If the practices are verified , the facility is automatically recertified after the $ 50 fee is paid .
To achieve certification , a facility must achieve 80 % compliance on each of the 12 sections of the assessment . After the electronic assessment , an attester must be engaged who is a Certified Sports Field Manager ( CSFM ), an academic or Extension agent . The attester must do a walk-through of the facility with the member to validate
environmental practices . The attester will receive Industry Service Points toward recertification , and the facility will be designated an SFMA Certified Facility for Environmentally Responsible Management if practices are verified .
The Environmental Facility Certification program is an excellent opportunity for SFMA members to show their commitment to the environment . As Zach Holm , CSFM , said , “ We felt it was important to show our commitment to the environment .” Therefore , interested members should take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their environmental stewardship practices .
To access the assessment tool , go to SFMA ’ s product button at the top of the website , go to page 2 of the shopping cart and at the bottom of the page , you will see Environmental Facility Certification Initial ($ 50 ) and add it to your cart . After payment is received , the member will receive a link to the assessment form . If any questions arise , please contact SFMA headquarters at 800-323-3875 . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com April 2023 | SportsField Management
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