Browsers that can not handle javascript will not be able to access some features of this site.
Skip Navigation
Michigan Department of Agriculture Michigan.gov
Michigan.gov HomeMDA Home | Sitemap | Contact MDA | Keywords | FAQ | Online Services | eMDA
Printer Friendly Version Printer Friendly   Text Only Version Text Version  Share this page.
Michigan Program Receives National Environmental Award: Turfgrass stewardship program recognized for innovative pollution prevention

Contact:  Heather Throne 517-373-1085
Agency: Agriculture


September 21, 2006

LANSING, MI - The Michigan departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Environmental Quality (MDEQ) are receiving national recognition for their cooperative efforts in the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program (MTESP). Staff from MDA and MDEQ accepted t he National Pollution Prevention Roundtable's Most Valuable Pollution Prevention award in Washington D.C. this week.

"Receiving national recognition for Michigan's MTESP demonstrates an organized effort of the turfgrass industry, state agencies, Michigan State University and environmental advocacy groups," said Mitch Irwin, MDA director. "This unique partnership provides a solid foundation for continued success, and the increase of environmental protections statewide." 

"This award recognizes the tremendous success of this partnership," said MDEQ Director Steven Chester.  "The MTESP program encourages environmental stewardship across Michigan, and helps keep our waters clean."

The MTESP, a voluntary self-assessment program, allows golf property managers to evaluate and improve their level of environmental protection by partnering with state and local initiatives designed to enhance the environment, prevent pollution and protect natural resources.

To date, 234 golf courses statewide voluntarily participate in the MTESP certification process, which requires regulatory compliance and implementation of practices that prevent pollution and protect water resources. As part of the program, an environmental action plan is established as a management tool to prevent potential threats from pesticides, fertilizers, fuel, and hazardous materials from negatively affecting natural resources with a special focus placed upon the protection of groundwater, which is often the source for golf course irrigation and drinking water

The Most Valuable Pollution Prevention award are made in conjunction with National Pollution Prevention Week, September 18-24, to promote initiatives that seek to avoid, eliminate, or reduce pollution at the source. For more information about this national effort, go to www.p2.org .


Featured from left to right is: Jeff Burke, National Pollution Prevention Roundtable; Marcia Horan, MDEQ; Craig Hoffman, Golf Course Superintendents Association; and Debbie Swartz MDA.

Related Content
 •  MI Dept. of Agriculture Honors Its Outstanding Employees For 2009
 •  Michigan Made Beers, Wines & Spirits Shine at Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival
 •  MI Department of Agriculture Staff Selected for Cutting Edge Emergency Response Training
 •  Applications for 2010 State Pesticide Notification and Organic Farm Registries Being Accepted
 •  MI Commission of Agriculture Highlights a Decade of Growth and Success in the Agri-Food Sector: Total economic impact has increased 129 percent in 12 years
 •  MI Department of Agriculture Practices Full-scale Rapid Response: Multi-agency emergency responders practice for disease outbreaks in animals
 •  Albion College and Equestrian Center Making History: First College to Earn State Environmentally Certified and Verified Recognition
 •  Don't Get Tricked on Halloween! Follow these Food Safety Treats to Keep Your Family Safe
 •  MI Dept. of Agriculture Detects Emerald Ash Borer in Two Additional Locations in the Upper Peninsula
 •  Living Foods Inc. initiates a voluntary market withdrawal of alfalfa sprouts
 •  Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak in Michigan Linked to Consumption of Raw Alfalfa Sprouts
 •  Duck Lake Country Club to be recognized for their environmentally sound turfgrass practices
 •  MI Dept. of Agriculture Has Closed All Its Regional Office
 •  Governor Proclaims October as Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism Month: Ag Director Tours Agri-Tourism Businesses in Midland and Saginaw Counties
 •  Envirothon Fundraiser Promises a "Soup-er" (and "Stew-pendous") Good Time for Chefs and Attendees
 •  Are you ready for some football? Make it a "Select Michigan" tailgate for this weekend's big game
 •  MI Department of Agriculture Unveils County Food, Agricultural Profiles Highlighting Economic Impact
 •  Think Red: Fall Color and Michigan Wine Touring Michigan Wine Country
 •  Dry Bean Stock Report
 •  MI Dept. of Agriculture Celebrates September as Food Safety Education Month

Michigan.gov Home | MDA Home | Contact MDA | State Web Sites | FAQ
Privacy Policy | Link Policy | Accessibility Policy | Security Policy | Michigan News | Michigan.gov Survey

Copyright © 2001-2009 State of Michigan