ADVICE ON FUNDING AVAILABLE

Turf and amenity professionals are being invited to a free event to receive practical advice and information on funding available for environmental protection in turf and amenity settings, on 30 March at Bray Keleher Water Treatment Works.

Run by South East Water, organisers say the day is set to provide insights into the risks pesticides pose to water quality and how risks can be reduced through integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide handling infrastructure and land management to help improve both water quality and business operations.

Proceedings will begin with a series of presentations led by industry experts from organisations including ADAS and the local Wildlife Trust.

Delegates will then be offered an exclusive behind the scenes tour of South East Water’s flagship treatment works, to see how the impacts of pesticide and nutrient run off are managed and understand why it is so vital to prevent these at source.

Workshops on the day will include:

• Reducing pesticide risk and improving water resource resilience - John Gadsby, ADAS Agricultural Consultant
• Wildlife and Water - Alex Cruickshank, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
• How Can CSF support you? - Available funding and advice -Jonathan Newman, Catchment Sensitive Farming

Mark Slater, South East Water catchment advisor, will also showcase the water company support and funding on offer for the turf and amenity sectors.

“It’s vital that we work in close partnership with local golf courses, sports pitches and managed amenity areas to provide solutions that not only protect water quality and the environment, but also enhance operations,” he says.

“For example, our Capital Grants Scheme offers up to £20,000 of funding for a variety of infrastructure and land management solutions, such as rainwater harvesting, biofilters and soil sampling, to name a few,” adds Mr Slater who also explained that there may also be potential funding options for precision spraying equipment and sprayer training.

BASIS and NRoSO CPD points will be available for members attending the day.

For further information, or to book online, click here.