The responsible use of pesticides is essential to maintaining healthy turfgrass. Healthy turfgrass allows communities to enjoy many benefits including: creation of critical “greenspaces", providing wildlife habitat and ensuring recreational opportunities. There are many other environment benefits to healthy turfgrass, including the capture of run-off pollutants in stormwater, temperature buffer, erosion control and serving as a protective barrier to groundwater. In addition, many entities, both public and private, rely on healthy green spaces like golf courses as a key component in maintaining financial revenues.
Pesticide laws and regulations should be based on sound science supported by credible peer reviewed data and university recommendations. Golf courses employ licensed pesticide applicators that are required to pass state administered exams and complete continuing education each year. These applicators are trained in the safe and proper use of pesticides within an integrated pest management (IPM) system. Golf course superintendents follow the best management practices for proper pesticide management on the course. GCSAA launched in 2017 the 50 by 2020 BMP initiative. The goal of this landmark initiative was to have all 50 states with a BMP program in place by 2020 to ensure protection of human health and the environment and demonstrate the industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship. This goal was accomplished at the end of 2020.