http://ucrturf.ucr.edu  --  Meaty Website Launched by UCR Turfgrass Research Program

 

Coinciding with the Turfgrass and Landscape Management Field Day on Sept. 24, 2002, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Turfgrass Research Program unveiled its new website: -- http://ucrturf.ucr.edu – which is loaded with meaty information organized into a number of categories: 

 

·            UCR TURF Home Page

·            General Information

·            Research Projects

·            Reports on Topical Issues

·            Research Conference and Field Day

·            UCRTRAC (UCR Turfgrass Research Advisory Committee)

·            Publications

·            Turf Links

·            Search

 

“We have designed the UCR Turf website as a multi-linked, user-friendly communication vehicle that provides a clearinghouse of pertinent, accurate information for the turfgrass industry, university researchers, government agencies, and the general public interested in turf issues, such as water conservation and quality,” said Robert Green, UCR Turfgrass Research Agronomist.

 

UCR TURF Home Page.  This section provides turfgrass management information for homeowners, including links to several UC websites, publications, and programs that offer lawn care information, such as the website of the California Master Gardener Program, a statewide volunteer program of UC Cooperative Extension whereby the UC extends research-based information in home horticulture and pest management, verified by UC experts, to Californians.  The home page also offers links to educational programs, seminars, and workshops for those interested in obtaining turfgrass-related college degrees, certificates, and continuing education credits (CECs).

 

General Information.  This section provides general information about the UCR Turfgrass Research Program, including facilities, research focus, and outreach activities.

 

Research Projects.  Five categories of ongoing and recently completed research projects are featured in this section of the website: 

 

            (1) Water Use Efficiency

            (2) New Turfgrass Development and Establishment

            (3) Chemical and Fertilizer Environmental Impacts

            (4) Unbiased Product Testing

            (5) Sports Turf Management 

 

Thumbnails and more complete summaries of research results are provided.

 

Reports on Topical Issues.  The website currently includes reports about TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) and Clean Water Act enforcement, turfgrass fertilization, and trends in the turfgrass industries.  Many more reports will be added.

 

Research Conference and Field Day.  This portion of the website provides timely information about this annual event sponsored by the UCR Turfgrass Research Program.

 

UCRTRAC.  The UCR Turfgrass Research Advisory Committee (UCRTRAC), consisting of UCR and 10 turf industry partners (golf, sod, and general turf interests), was established in 1996 to form an industry-wide linkage between UCR and the turfgrass industries in Southern California.  The UCRTRAC Annual Research Summary Reports and periodic newsletter, Better Turf Thru Agronomics, are on the website.  A cumulative index of newsletter articles from 1996 to the present, keyed to the 11 areas of research and education needs identified by UCRTRAC delegates, facilitates searching for articles of interest. 

 

Links to the websites of each UCRTRAC member organization (Southern California Golf Association, California Golf Course Superintendents Association [GCSA], San Diego GCSA, Hi-Lo Desert GCSA, CGSA of Southern California, California Sod Producers Association, Southern California Section, Professional Golfers Association, Southern California Turfgrass Council, Southern California Turfgrass Foundation, United States Golf Association, and UCR) are provided in this section of the UCR Turf website. 

 

Publications.  Links are available to publications associated with the UCR Turfgrass Research Program, including Better Turf Thru Agronomics, California Turfgrass Culture, and Proceedings of the UCR Turfgrass and Landscape Research Conference and Field Day (1995-present).

 

Turf Links.  Important legislation, memoranda, and statistics that impact the turfgrass industries in Southern California are available on the UCR Turf website via its links.  Water-related websites are featured.  Multiple links to the websites of California state government agencies, turfgrass industry associations, and university research centers are offered.  Included are pertinent UC systemwide Agriculture and Natural Resources websites, UCR websites, and websites of other university-based turfgrass research and education programs in the United States and Canada.  Links to the websites of professional societies, associations, and organizations based in California, nationwide, and internationally are also here.  Links to educational and other resources, such as CIMIS (California Irrigation Management and Information System), are also provided.

 

Search.  A search of the entire UCR Turf website, powered by Google, is available.

 

UCR Staff Research Associate Grant Klein is the UCR Turf webmaster.  The website is overseen by Robert Green, UCR Turfgrass Research Agronomist, and Vic Gibeault, Extension Environmental Horticulturist.

 

 

Prepared by Deborah Silva, Science Writer and Editor