Department of Agriculture & Office of Sustainability

Transcription

1 Department of Agriculture & Office of Sustainability

2 Using Directed Student Learning to Achieve Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certification Missy Nergard Director of Sustainability Dr. Dave Kopsell Professor of Horticulture

3 Presentation Outline Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) Categories of Certification Progress towards ACSP certification at Illinois State University Directed Student Learning Examples Campus Sustainability Integration What s Next?

4 Program started in 1991

5 Annual membership fee is $250

6 Status of ACSP There are approximately 16,000 golf courses in the U.S. 15% (2,400) have achieved at least one category of certification Only 5% (800) are fully certified in all six categories ACSP is a also in three dozen countries around the world

7 ACSP at Illinois State University Conversations began in 2009 Athletics, Sustainability, Agriculture Depts. Four (4) undergraduate independent studies Two (2) graduate student thesis projects Funding from multiple sources Athletics, Office of Sustainability, CeMaST, College of Applied Science & Technology Environmental Planning Certification was achieved in 2014 Student involvement was directly responsible for certification

8 Audubon efforts were recognized with the university-wide 2014 Environmental Stewardship Award

9 Undergraduate research project presented at a national horticultural meeting. It took Jacob ~ 60 hours to identify all 1,055 trees on the course.

10 Summary of M.S. Thesis Research Jacob Kuban (M.S. 2015) - survey of the 130 University-affiliated golf course superintendents in the U.S. Asked questions about ACSP certification & involvement in the program 31.9% response rate of an survey

11 Summary of M.S. Thesis Research 75% of superintendents had heard of ACSP 32% were already ACSP certified; 68% were not certified 54% of superintendents who were not ACSP certified were interested in pursuing certification But cited the amount of time & labor to get certified as concerns This is where we see students helping!

12 Summary of M.S. Thesis Research 73% of superintendents were interested in students helping to either achieve or expand certification on their course 85% of courses were within 4 miles of their affiliated university 85% of courses already employ students 54% of courses were affiliated with a university with a horticulture or turfgrass program 60% reported hosting class tours on their course USGA Green Section Record, Sept./Oct., 1996; 34(5): 5-7.

13 The Athletic Advantage When we took over the Weibring Golf Club in 2005, our focus was on maintaining it at a level consistent with NCAA Division I competitive standards. However, after Mike Rayman was hired as our course superintendent, he suggested that we look at campus sustainability efforts and the Audubon golf course program. We strongly supported Mike s efforts as the golf course was more than just a competitive venue but rather a campus and community asset. It is an asset the must be maintained and nurtured in an appropriate manner. Being recognized as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is a point of pride for us. - Larry Lyons Athletic Director, Illinois State University

14 The Athletic Advantage Academic Collaboration Ecological Cohesiveness Co-Curricular Programming Academic Opportunities for Student Athletes Visibility and Viability

15 Academic Collaboration Academic Partners: Horticulture, Biology, Botany, Geography, Sociology, Communications, Marketing, Environmental Health, Hydrology, Public Relations, Project Management Partnerships Enable: - External Funding (grants, sponsorships, donations) - Direct Contribution to Academic Mission - Sustainability Beyond Environmentalism

16 Conclusions There is interest among university-affiliated golf courses in ACSP certification There is also interest in having students help in the certification process; which can alleviate time & labor requirements & create service-learning opportunities Our Athletic/Academic/Sustainability collaborations at ISU continue to benefit everyone involved Most importantly our STUDENTS

17 Any Questions?