Free community presentation to Marin & Sonoma County residents and professionals 9/27/23 (6-8pm), and full day professional training 9/28/23 (830-430pm) sponsored by Non Toxic Schools.
We all love a beautiful grassy field; for a picnic, for a nap, or for a fun ball game with friends. Our relationship with turf has become complicated recently with worries of the drought, concerns over synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and the unfortunate influx of "plastic grass". Some Sonoma County cities are giving up and considering plastic grass (artificial turf), which is even worse for the environment from a chemical, waste, and heat standpoint.
Our local landscape managers are confused by the changes, and as a result, many of our grassy fields in Sonoma County aren't looking so great. This is not because this is the way non-toxic lawns need to look, but a result of us not having the proper tools. In fact, properly cared for organic turf has the potential to be the most beautiful and easy to maintain grass in town; and the transition can happen almost immediately.
There are many examples of park turf conversations from conventional management including synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to organic management. The results can be quick and striking. Properly managed organic turf is also more drought tolerant (needs less water), more resilient to pest infestations, and safer/cooler and less expensive than plastic grass.
Non Toxic Schools, is sponsoring a professional level hands-on technical workshop on September 28th for public and private landscape managers and anyone interested in learning how to improve their lawn (subsidized tuition, scholarships available, CE credits available). There will also be a free community event (refreshments provided) on Wednesday September 27th. This is the first time this level of training has been available to land managers in our region. These events will bring the most up to date training and information to our local land managers and community at-large.
This training will be led by a national organic turf expert, Chip Osborne and Jay Feldman, Director of Beyond Pesticides.
At the September 27th community event, Mr. Osborne will explain how you can have beautiful lawns without toxic chemicals, plastic grass, or a big budget. Mr. Feldman will talk about available funding to help your community transition to organic turf and field care!
The full-day September 28th technical training will cover developing and maintaining healthy soil, choosing the right grass, best practices for irrigation/mowing/seeding/fertilization, following IPM with organic strategies for specific pest problems, and soil biology and testing. Continuing Education (CE) credits are available for professionals.
Free Community Presentation: Organic Management of Parks & Sports Fields
Wednesday September 27th, 2023, 6:00-8:00pm
Margaret Todd Senior Center Auditorium
1560 Hill Road
Novato, CA
*Join us for appetizers at 6:00pm, presentation begins at 6:30pm
Technical Training: Organic Field Management
Thursday September 28t, 8:30am-4:40pm
Petaluma Community Center
320 North McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA
This seminar is being offered at a subsidized rate of $40/pp. Scholarships are available.
*Lunch will be provided
Flyers for both events are below. Hope to see you and your favorite community landscape manager there!
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