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The VTC-EI envisions a world where government officials, environmental groups, and the turfgrass and landscape industries collaborate to enhance and restore the outdoor environment. Furthermore, we envision robust career opportunities in the green industry filled with trained employees. In furtherance of that vision, the VTC-EI:
- initiates and promotes careers in environmental sciences among middle and high school students;
- represents the entire green industry;
- works with all aspects of elected and regulatory agency leadership to advocate for industry and environmentally friendly legislation and regulations;
- provides education for industry professionals and the general public on proper practices for environmental protection;
- provides opportunities for industry professionals and the general public to partner with environmental groups and municipalities to protect and restore sensitive environmental areas;
- encourages and provides support for environmental research; and
- educates decision makers about proper industry practices that enhance and protect the environment.
Our endeavors are bearing fruit. In just the past two years the VTC-EI has:
- organized a meeting with the City of Virginia Beach’s Mayor. A Master Beekeeper opened the meeting by stating the turfgrass and landscape industries are frequently falsely accused of killing bee hives;
- provided and planted 21,000 American Beach Grass plants on oceanfront sand dunes and on other sensitive environmental areas. A local television news station covered one of the events;
- restored a 1,700 square foot bioswale at Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Virginia Beach facility;
- participated in numerous high school and community career days;
- formed strategic alliances with prominent environmental groups. A leader of one of those groups publically corrected anti-industry statements made by another environmental group;
- developed and distributed 50,000 Flowering Pollinator Seed packets. These seeds can provide half a million square feet of pollinator plants across the state; and
- received a grant to partner with Virginia State University in restoring eroded areas in the City of Petersburg.
And we have just begun!
The challenges before us are enormous. We will only be successful through persons who see the need and seek ways to help us work towards our vision of diverse groups working together for a robust, thriving industry and a cleaner environment.
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The Virginia Turfgrass Council Environmental Institute has its own Employer Identification Number: EIN: 85 – 3595976
We are registered with Commonwealth of Virginia (Identification Number: 11124775)
We have received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS
The purposes of Virginia Turfgrass Council Environmental Institute are:
1. Providing education for industry professionals and the general public on proper practices for environmental protection through various means, including seminars and workshops.
2. Providing opportunities for industry professionals and the general public to restore environments.
3. Encouraging and providing support for environmental research.
4. Educating decision makers about proper industry practices that protect the environment.
Resources to Help You:
- Industry issues handout.
- Virginia’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan
- EPA Report – Look at the photo of results of not applying needed fertilizer (page 30)
- The Benefits of Turf (Ohio State Publication)
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Download Feb 2023 Newsletter
Download June, 2021 Newsletter
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New Logo
Dawn Rigby of Xylem Marketing has worked with the Development Committee to design a logo for the VTC Environmental Institute. The Board of Directors approved that logo. Many thanks to Dawn for donating her time and expertise!
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