It’ s an exciting month for SFMA, as the association introduced Paula Sliefert as CEO. I have known Paula for several years through her SFMA service and also her role with the Minnesota Park and Sports Field Management Association, but I was excited to have a more in-depth conversation with Paula to learn more about her background and her vision for SFMA moving forward( see page 18). Paula has always been a strong supporter of the magazine and an advocate for industry professionals, and I look forward to working with her.

Also in this issue, SFMA Education Manager, Jennifer McLendon, M. Ed., outlines current and future SFMA education initiatives; so I thought this would also be a good time to remind everyone of SFMA’ s Environmental Facility Certification( EFC).

EFC was developed to help document the environmental stewardship of SFMA members, and is awarded to those facilities that meet the requirements. Certification also shows the public that you are utilizing the most up-to-date environmental practices.

For insight into the SFMA EFC and its impact, I recently spoke with Bruce Suddeth, CSFM, director of building and landscape services at University of South Carolina( USC) Upstate, who said the SFMA EFC is a good fit with USC Upstate’ s Higher Ed Tree Campus USA accreditation from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

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“ The University has committed to being environmentally conscious in our day-to-day processes of facility management,” said Suddeth.“ When the EFC was created, we knew that it was one of the certifications that fit our model.”

USC Upstate closely monitors and records inputs— whether fertilization or pesticides— to ensure zero negative impacts to campus surroundings. The university also has a sustainability initiative, and the EFC allows them to promote their efforts with this program.

“ Anything worthwhile is worth working for,” Suddeth said of earning the certification.“ The EFC is something you work to achieve, as well as every day after that.”

According to Suddeth, the certification has made USC Upstate more aware of its environmental impact, has reduced inputs and related expenses, and has benefited enrollment as a recruiting tool.

“ Every sports field manager is an environmentalist whether we know it or not,” said Suddeth.“ Due to the thoroughness of the program, there is a huge satisfaction in completing the application, receiving the accreditation and maintaining it.”

For more information about SFMA Environmental Facility Certification, visit https:// www. sportsfieldmanagement. org / environmental-facilitycertification-program /

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