MTESP Program Changes and Enhancements for 2009

Warm wintery greetings from East Lansing! The Michigan Environmental Stewardship Program (MTESP) is a dynamic, proactive program intended to organize efforts of the turfgrass industry, state agencies, Michigan State University (MSU), and environmental advocacy groups to advance the environmental stewardship of the turfgrass industry and to recognize environmental achievements. The program was started in 1998 and has helped over 250 Michigan golf courses identify and prioritize environmental protection efforts on their properties. The program was the first of its kind in the United States and has received national and international recognition including the GCSAA Environmental Leadership Award and the Most Valuable Pollution Protection Award from the National Pollution Protection Roundtable.

As with any program, business, or organization, changes are necessary in order to stay current, adaptive, and sustainable. Over the last 15 months the program has been through and exhaustive review process. The result is a more accessible, more nimble, revitalized program that is poised to serve the Michigan Turfgrass Industry into next decade.

You Can Go Home Again: We are pleased to announce that the MTESP operations are once again housed at MSU. This change should facilitate re-engaging of the MSU Turf Team with the program and streamlining content development in the future.

Membership Fees: As of October 1, 2008 we no longer charged an annual membership fee to participate in the program. Starting in 2009, courses will be considered members of MTESP if they maintain certified status or if they have had a site visit in the last three years. This should allow for an increase in the number of courses that can informally participate in the program while maintaining a distinction for properties that are actively pursuing certification.

Distribution of Modules: All program materials are now available to any golf course property. We received a grant from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station to place the program modules on a USB drive for distribution to Michigan golf courses. Contact the MGCOA (800-860-8575) to request your free virtual copy of the updated MTESP workbook ($50 value).
Incentives: We are pleased to announce some special program incentives for 2009. We are offering an incentive for properties receiving a visit before September 30, 2009. These properties will receive a discount of $150 off the site visit fee or $200 off the certification visit fee.

Program Costs: The site visit fee is $500 (minus the $150 incentive equals $350 out-of-pocket). During your half-day site visit one of the trained stewardship officers will help you assess your level of environmental compliance on your property. After the visit, they will develop a custom Environmental Action Plan for your property that lays out the steps necessary to achieve certification. When you complete all the required elements of the EAP you can apply for certification. The certification visit is $600 (minus the $200 incentive equals $400 out-of-pocket). To maintain certification courses must have a visit once every three years.

What if I paid a membership fee in 2008? This change in the fee structure is really exciting, unless you paid a membership fee in 2008. We cannot fully express our appreciation to all the properties that have supported the MTESP over the years. However, as a small token of our gratitude, we would like to extend a special offer the 106 properties that paid a membership fee in 2008 by discounting your next site visit by an additional $200. We will be contacting those courses directly to encourage them to take advantage of this offer.

How do I get started? Contact Debbie Swartz with any inquiries, questions or comments at 517.241.1987 or swartzd@michigan.gov. We will get a welcome pack in your hands so you can get on the road to certification.