Speaker: Chuck Ravis , Instructor in the Sports Management program at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine.
Abstract:
Outdoor school IPM focuses on athletic fields and, to a lesser extent, landscape maintenance of the school property. Traditionally, school districts have promulgated the goal of providing both a high quality and aesthetically pleasing playing surface to promote school and community pride in athletics. Seldom, however, have the necessary resources been provided to effectively attain this objective. Money for materials and labor, turfgrass expertise and most importantly, sufficient playing fields to support the level of activity have many times been woefully lacking. The challenge and future direction of outdoor school IPM involves the need for a coordinated strategy across all levels of management from school boards, to school superintendents, to grounds managers. All levels need to support the IPM concept and work together to provide the resources and direction needed to efficiently and effectively attain this objective.
Biography:
Chuck Ravis is an instructor in the Sports Management program at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. Chuck offers classes in Golf Management, Turf Management and Environmental Science. He received a Masters in Business Administration from Thomas College and a B.S. degree in Agronomy from the Pennsylvania State University. Chuck is a Certified Golf Course Superintendent and with over 25 years experience in the turf management field he consults on turfgrass issues involving golf courses, athletic fields and outdoor school IPM programs.