GROUNDS MANAGERS ALREADY TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

In the month that saw the UK climate reach unprecedented levels of 40C for the first time on record, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) say they are highlighting the need to place sustainability and environmental issues at the heart of the grounds maintenance sector’s thinking - and at the heart of SALTEX’s Learning LIVE sessions. 

GMA chief executive, Geoff Webb said, “Those managing and maintaining sports turf and green spaces are already having to deal with the impact of climate change and industry suppliers are doing their best to innovate and help grounds people to minimise the impact of droughts and floods.

“Extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent, and we need to continue to educate grounds staff and plan now to ensure that as a sector, we are equipped to deal with what lies ahead.”

Announcing speakers for SALTEX, Geoff Webb said, “Learning LIVE has been designed to provide support, insight, and real solutions to key industry issues, including those relating to sustainability and the environment and we are delighted to be confirming a growing line-up of impressive expert speakers.”

One such presentation is by Tony Hanson managing director, Environmental Solutions International and Robin Price, director of quality and environment at Anglian Water. Geoff says, “Their paper on ‘Reducing the impact of future water restrictions on golf and sports turf’ is a timely subject as we deal with the results of climate change and approach drought restrictions in this country. Tony and Robin will look at the implications of temporary use bans and changes in water abstraction rulings, and how this will prevent turf irrigation in 2023 and the ways to implement water resilience practices.”

Tony Hanson explains the importance of this subject to the industry, saying, “Due to climate change, population growth, and historically high personal consumption, there is simply not enough water available in the UK without action - the water sector will have to use demand management to ensure public supply. Turf irrigation must simply become less dependent on mains or direct irrigation abstraction.

“The Water Resilience Plan has been designed to guide users on what they need to do and keep them informed of water industry funded seminars and workshops. If you irrigate turf you will need to review alternative water sources for irrigation, create water storage on site - water you control and can use in a drought to cover at least 21 days and review and assess your irrigation management and system."

The Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, with additional papers attacking the key issues for the grounds care industry of pay, career development, how to negotiate in the workplace and how to find out about the millions of pounds of grant funding available from sports clubs.

More information can be found on the event’s website.

The show takes place at the Birmingham NEC on 2-3 November.