GEE Environmental Innovation and Technology Network

5th February 2007-The first meeting of Golf Environment Europe’s Innovation and Technology Network has been held in Amsterdam, supported by Syngenta and Ransomes Jacobsen. Among the key outcomes of the meeting was the planning of over 20 separate environmental information projects for 2007.

The steering committee of the Network also took the opportunity to put out a call to golf course managers across Europe for their thoughts on what specific environmental information and technology would be of most value in the future.

Chaired by the Sports Turf Research Institute, the meeting was attended by representatives of Golf Environment Europe, the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation and the University of Pisa. The Network also collaborates with North Carolina State University.

Having Chaired the meeting, Lee Penrose of the Sports Turf Research Institute said: “The STRI are delighted to be at the forefront of this European wide initiative, which aims to coordinate and better communicate technical guidance on a range of environmental issues that affect the management and development of golf courses.

Jonathan Smith of Golf Environment Europe said: “We know there is a need to extend the coordination and dissemination of environmental information within golf.

“It is not just about reacting to the challenges that environmental sustainability presents. Much of the information we will promote will provide new opportunities for golf, raising awareness of new technologies and ways of doing things that are both better for the environment and for business”.

The Network provides the opportunity for companies based or active in Europe, and with an interest in the long-term sustainability of golf, to assist practitioners in continuing to adapt to environmental issues.

Key issues addressed within the I&T project agenda are Turfgrass Management; Pollution prevention; Water Resource Management; Golf Course Ecology; Waste Management; Energy Efficiency and Renewables; and Climate Change

With the development of a single web based ‘environmental information centre’, the outputs of the Network will be readily accessible to all practitioners within golf, and all those interested in the relationship between golf and the environment.

For more information on the Network, and to discuss opportunities to get involved, please contact Jonathan Smith at Golf Environment Europe on 0044 (0) 1620 850 659, or at jonathan@golfenvironmenteurope.org. Visit www.golfenvironmenteurope.org for more information.

LINK :
Golf Environment Europe