ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
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Managers can also hold workshops and open houses for community members , explaining how well-maintained turfgrass can contribute to the local environment and how , by investing in these spaces , they can benefit the environment and be a point of pride for the community . This could also be broadened to include local schools and youth sports organizations to disseminate benefits to younger generations about the importance of turfgrass spaces and its long-lasting benefits .
Park visitors enjoying a comfortable patch of grass to relax in Point State Park , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania .
A comfortable surface on which to relax and recreate due to texture and temperature .
Space for socialization to occur in an easily accessible natural environment .
A place in which both observational and hands-on learning can take place either directly involving the turf itself or serving as a comfortable space to engage with other learning materials .
If the details of ecosystem service benefits aren ’ t enough , or seem too far detached from your day-to-day experiences or those of the people you serve , I propose a different perspective . Turfgrass greenspaces — whether a lawn , park or sports field — are canvases that can provide a broad range of experiences that facilitate and enhance human health and well-being from the youngest to the oldest in our communities and deserve to be recognized as such . SFM
Michael R . Barnes , Ph . D ., is researcher and lecturer in the Department of Horticultural Science , University of Minnesota Twin Cities .
COMMUNICATING THE BENEFITS OF TURFGRASS Sports field managers and staff can be critical in communicating and showcasing the multiple benefits of the spaces they manage . Benefits can be communicated both directly and indirectly to players , coaches , spectators and community members through a variety of means :
Managers can utilize digital platforms such as social media and the facility ’ s website to share key maintenance or renovations happening at their facility — emphasizing its impact on gameplay and safety . This could be done in collaboration with coaches and athletes to share personal testimonials about performance , safety and quality of the playing surface .
During larger events and tournaments , managers could invest in passive informational signage or staff-facilitated educational opportunities highlighting benefits of the facility for both players ( e . g ., reduced injury risk , performance ) and spectators ( e . g ., aesthetics ).
sportsfieldmanagementonline . com September 2023 | SportsField Management
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