BVSD and city coordinate organic turf management trainings for area land managers and the community.
The City of Boulder and Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) have partnered to develop, test and share new approaches to landscape management aimed at enhancing the health, safety and community benefit of public green spaces. One element of this initiative is the expansion of turf management practices that reduce or eliminate the need for synthetic inputs like pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic chemical-based fertilizers.
To share knowledge and expand the impact of these practices, two events are planned for May 7. BVSD and the city will co-host a training session for local grounds maintenance managers, led by an internationally recognized leader in organic turf management. Community members interested in implementing organic turf management at home are invited to attend a presentation from the People and Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) at the Boulder Library’s Canyon Theater, 1000 Canyon Blvd, also on Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Reducing synthetic chemical use in public landscapes has significant community benefits, including lowering exposure to toxins, reducing chemical runoff into vegetation and waterways and protecting natural systems that support health, resilience and biodiversity.
“The protection and support of the health and safety of our students, staff, and broader community is a fundamental goal of the school district,” said Rob Price, Assistant Superintendent for Operations at BVSD. “We have a long history of collaboration with the city and are excited to work together to advance the adoption of organic turf management practices that can enhance the health of both our school grounds and our school communities.”
The City of Boulder began transitioning to an ecosystem-based integrated pest management and organic turf management approach in the early 2000s. Today, it is recognized nationally for its leadership in sustainable land management. Building on this success, BVSD has partnered with the city to align its landscape practices with similar standards.
“This collaboration with BVSD allows us to share the best practices we have learned over the past 15 years,” said Brett KenCairn, Senior Policy Advisor for the city’s Nature-based Climate Solutions team. “It also supports a broader initiative to create more climate-resilient landscapes that provide cooling and protection against the escalating impacts of climate change.”
PPAN has also published a step-by-step guide to organic turf management, available in both English and Spanish, to help individuals act.
Sign up for the presentation and visit our website to learn more about our climate initiatives work.