Barking Up the Right Tree with TurfMutt: OPEI's New Yard Dog Science Program

Date: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
Time: 3:30 - 5:00pm, EDT
Cost: FREE
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/822246569

The climate change debate has pushed the need to reduce carbon in the atmosphere and reduce warming front and center.  What role can turf grass play in helping our planet stay cooler and cleaner? Those questions led to research and subsequently to Weekly Reader and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute?s Education and Research Foundation debuting TurfMutt, the Yard Dog Science Program at Washington, DC and Sacramento, CA area schools in early September. This is the first phase of a new educational outreach program developed to teach third through fifth grade students the science behind lawns? ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), release oxygen, cool the air, control dust, reduce erosion and filter water ? and to look at turf holistically, realizing that turf has its rightful place when done right and especially for greening up urban areas.

Dr. Ron Sahu, environmental researcher, will discuss the latest study showing the science behind the value of lawns and what the findings mean for a balanced discussion about the value of green spaces and Kris Kiser, EVP at OPEI will discuss the TurfMutt educational campaign, the inspiration and goals for the program, and what educators can expect to see moving forward. Mr. Kiser will also discuss why and how we need to integrate best management practices ? reducing inputs and watering - into the value of lawns discussion and educational curriculum.

This webinar is provided FREE to you through a sponsorship by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) as a special project of the National FFA Foundation

For more information about NAAE Webinars, and an overview of how they work, you can visit our website at www.naae.org/webinars.