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
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