Demand Management Measures

Independent Technical Panel

November 19, 2014Turfgrass Water Conservation

Alliance®Russ F. Nicholson, CPAg, CCA

• Formed in 2010 by direct competitors• Qualify turfgrasses that demonstrate statistically sig-nificant

water saving capabilities over conventional vari-eties• Relies on 3rd party peer review of objective data to make

qualifications• 61 Members Internationally

•14 Members in CA, 7 Government, 4 Industry, 3 University

• Currently running 14 trials in 13 locations

Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance® (TWCA®)

Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance® (TWCA®)

• Active Ambassador for the TWCA

oWork with the Program Administrator on membership issues oRepresent the TWCA at trade meetings, field days & trade

shows, and in speaking engagementsoWork closely with the TWCA Research Cooperators

•Senior Agronomist with TWCA & Pen-nington Seed

•My Role Russ F. Nicholson, CPAg, CCA

Benefits of Turfgrass

Functional

Recreational

AestheticLow cost surfacesPhysical healthMental healthSafety cushionSpectator

environment

Beauty

Quality of life

Mental health

Social harmony

Community pride

Increased property values

Complements trees and shrubs in landscape

Water conservation is a serious issue

Oxygen ProductionSoil Erosion ControlDust PreventionRain Water EntrapmentHeat DissapationGlare ReductionFire PreventionSecurityPollutant EntrapmentPest ReductionEnvironmental ProtectionCarbon Sequestration

TWCA’s approach to landscape water conservation?•Qualify grasses that require up to 50% less water

oUtilizing objective data collection vs. subjectiveoResults reviewed through 3rd party peer process

•Educate the livegoods industry about the water saving potential of TWCA qualified grasses

oThrough a curriculum and outreach program that includes university field days, webinars, and presentations

•Educate end users about Best Man-agement Practices for water Conser-vation

oThrough a curriculum and outreach program that includes, working with water districts, university

field days, webinars, and presentations

The Light Box

Evaluations

Visual quality ratings (bi-weekly)

(1-9 with 9 = optimal turfgrass quality, 6 = acceptable turf)

Cover analysis using digital images (weekly) (Richardson et al. 2001)

99.2% green turf cover

28.6% green turf cover

Assuming a 5,000 square foot lawn, this chart shows the amount of water required to

maintain 40% green cover at 90 days in Albany, Oregon. (08/09)

Cultivar2008 Water

(gallons)

2009 Water

(gallons)

08/09 Avg Water

(gallons)

Mallard 8,826 6,749 7,788

Bluestone 11,422 9,864 10,643

Eagleton 12,460 9,864 11,162

Midnight 14,017 13,498 13,758

Reveille 16,094 9,864 12,979 Solar Green 18,690 14,537 16,613

APR2105 10,903 20,248 15,575

Soprano 12,460 16,613 14,537

Protégé GLR 14,017 16,094 15,056 Brightstar 16,613 21,286 18,949

RK4 3,634 10,383 7,009

KY-31 5,711 10,383 8,047

Greystone 5,711 14,018 9,864 Rebel Exeda 7,788 15,627 11,707

ATF1258 7,788 10,903 9,345 Penn 1901 7,788 12,460 10,124

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Conservation communication to membership and affected

stakeholders?Newsletters

Statement StuffersVideos

Field DaysWebinarsBooklets

RecommendationsSpeaking engagements

Successes achieved to achieve landscape water conservation goals and objectives?

Standardized protocols for turfgrass testing based on 3rd party peer review of objective data

Qualification of over 60 turfgrass varieties demonstrating statistically significant water savings potential

Growing membership by over 300% in 7 months Including 27 University researchers across North America

Increased awareness in the Government section

Development of education program for outreach to the green sector and beyond

Current challenges to achieve conservation goals

and objectivesInternal to Organization

• Manpower – TWCA is still fairly young and relatively small

• Consistency - Maintaining a consistent message to our members and municipalities over time

Market challenges in supplying water conserving live goods

External to Organization• Outdated beliefs about turfgrasses

• Cultural Practices

Anticipated challenges to achieve conservation goals and

objectives

Internal to Organization•Potential for internal strife

•Continued manpower challenges

•Market challenges in supplying water conserving livegoods

External to Organization• Underinformed decision making processes

• Cultural practices

Conservation practices you recommend to the ITPState of California join the TWCA

Implement TWCA qualification standards for all turfgrasses in the state

Recognize TWCA qualified varieties as water sav-ing varieties eligible for lawn replacement re-

bates

Require TWCA qualification for all turfgrasses in-stalled

in the managed landscape