Director’s Corner

The VTC Environmental Institute serves a great industry, composed of persons who design, install, and maintain landscapes, lawns, sports fields, sod farms, and golf courses. The industry is thriving, employing hundreds of thousands of persons and adding hundreds of millions to our economy. Industry professionals have many interests, such as finding, training, and keeping employees but one main interest is ensuring properties are properly cared for – according to agronomically and environmentally sound principles.

A few years ago, we realized the need to focus on developing partnerships with three groups:

1. Environmentalists and Environmental Groups

a. Partnering with these groups began when a person employed by the Elizabeth River Project approached our display at Environment Virginia and said: People in our area have lawns and landscapes. We want your help to ensure they do not harm the Elizabeth River.

b. We now have great partnerships with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Plant NoVa Natives, the Elizabeth River Project and many others.

2. Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

a. Very few persons of color are enrolled in collegiate programs leading to leadership positions in our industry. Recognizing the importance of HBCU’s in reversing this fact, we worked with Virginia State University on several Petersburg projects. We are looking at ways to expand that partnership and to develop relationships with other HBCUs to find ways to expand enrollment in their environmental studies majors.

3. Legislators and Other Decision Makers

a. Caring for the environment is one of the few areas that unites Democrats/ Republicans; Liberals/Conservatives; Christians/Muslims; and so forth.

b. We all want to leave a clean, unpolluted world to our children and grandchildren. Our work with legislators began when Senator Dave Marsden was a newly elected delegate. We worked with him to implement a certification program for industry persons who apply fertilizer.

This work has created meaningful relationships and progress to build and protect our industry and the professionals within it. We are grateful for your support and involvement in these initiatives!

Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

VTC Executive Director