Dr. Frank Rossi, associate professor and extension turfgrass specialist at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, has been named the 2012 TOCA Environmental Communicator of the Year. The program is sponsored by Project EverGreen.
Dr. Rossi also is a contributor to TurfNetTV, providing regular video segments, writes the “Frankly Speaking” blog on TurfNet.com. He also is a regular speaker at major conferences on environmental issues throughout the year.
Dr. Rossi is the 14th recipient of this award, which selects a Green Industry communicator for “outstanding efforts in communicating the benefits of environmental stewardship to a particular audience within the turf and ornamental industry.”
“Dr. Rossi exemplifies the type of environmental communicator we recognize with this award,” said Den Gardner, TOCA executive director. “His writing, video work, ongoing research at Bethpage State Park golf courses and his speaking engagements at turf conferences across the country are a testament to his concern for stewardship of turfgrass and speak to his dedication to the industry and the environment.”
Rossi acknowledged the honor to be chosen as the TOCA Environmental Communicator of the Year and join such an accomplished group of previous winners. “I have spent the last 22 years of my career committed to a singular purpose: preserving the environment,” he said. “All my presentations and hundreds of articles are designed to challenge, motivate and encourage change in management based on scientific research that will preserve and protect environmental quality.”
Previous winners, from year one to present, include:
Mark Welterlen, former Grounds Maintenance magazine publisher
Bill Love, W.R. Love Golf Architecture
Tim Doppel, Atwood Lawncare, Inc.
Doug Fender, former Executive Director, Turfgrass Producers International
Allen James, RISE CEO
Rod Dodson, Audubon International
Jeff Gullickson, Spokane Country Club
Kevin Trotta, Grounds Manager, IPM Specialist, Cornwall, NY
Helen Stone, publisher, Southwest Trees & Turf magazine
Allied Golf Associations of Colorado
Drs. Larry Stowell and Wendy Gelernter, PACE Turf
Christopher Gray, Precise Path Robotics (formerly Marvel Golf Club in Kentucky)
Anthony Williams, director of grounds for Stone Mountain Golf Club in Stone Mountain, GA,
Dr. Rossi was honored at the 23nd annual TOCA meeting, held in Nashville, TN, May 2-4. For more information about TOCA, please go to www.toca.org.