South Carolina program uses e-par USA

The e‐par USA Environmental Management System (EMS) for Golf has been accepted as evidence of environmental leadership by the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program (SCEEP). As a result, golf businesses in South Carolina that work with e‐par USA to build an EMS for their facility will be eligible for recognition of their voluntary environmental accomplishments through SCEEP as well.

The South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program (SCEEP) is a voluntary environmental leadership initiative designed to recognize and reward facilities that have demonstrated superior environmental performance through pollution prevention, energy and resource conservation, and the use of an environmental management system (EMS). The program is managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Center for Environmental Sustainability, and decisions about membership are made through a multi‐stakeholder Advisory Committee. Since the e‐par EMS for Golf is an ISO 14001‐compliant environmental management tool, it can be used to meet the performance requirements of this state‐level voluntary environmental recognition program.

“We really want to make it easy for golf courses and clubs in South Carolina, and around the country, to take credit for leadership efforts as environment stewards,” said Kevin A. Fletcher, Ph.D., CEO of e‐par USA. “While our Environmental Management System for Golf is compliant with the internationally‐recognized ISO 14001 standard, it’s also important for our members to gain access to other sources of local and state recognition as well. So, we’re clearly pleased that our EMS platform has been recognized as a golf industry standard for environmental excellence by the SCEEP Advisory Committee.”

For more information about e‐par USA and the e‐par Environmental Management System for Golf, visit www.eparusa.com. To learn more about SCEEP, visit http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/admin/cwm/sceep/.

Pt. 3 of 3 -- What zombies teach us about environmental stewardship

And now, the final part of our zombie/environmental golf series, courtesy of Kevin Fletcher, Ph.D., president and CEO of e-Par USA. For parts one and two, just scroll down! 

And happy Halloween!

7.     When in Doubt, Make Sure You Hit the Brain (Review & Make Corrections): In Zombieland, this was termed a “double-tap.” Not sure that was a clean head-shot? You’d hate to have a half-gone member of the undead pop up suddenly and bite your ankle as you’re walking by all full of pride. Shoot again to make sure you got ‘em.

Likewise, don’t assume you’ve done all you can and should to manage the environmental part of your game. To quote the great philosopher Ice Cube, “You gotta check yo’ self before you wreck yo’ self.” Include a periodic and ongoing self-audit and management review of your environmental management systems. Identify any weaknesses and correct them. That’s what continuous improvement is all about.

8.     Share What Works, There’s Strength in Numbers (Act Well and Tell Your Story): Inevitably, in zombie movies, the main group of survivors ends up running into another group of survivors. There’s that first awkward introduction when they all nearly shoot each other thinking the others are ghouls at first. However, the groups eventually start to bond and share their stories over a campfire inside the broken down warehouse (assuming they followed Rule #2). This is when we learn what works or doesn’t work when killing a zombie. Perhaps Chip (the ex-Navy Seal) discovered a new way to lure zombies into a trap and take three or four out at a time. By sharing their stories, the entire group is made stronger and learn more inventive (again, audience appeal) ways to dismantle the blood-thirsty.

Likewise, the golf industry is made stronger when superintendents find what works, do it well, measure it, and then report on it. Don’t be afraid to tell people your story. It’s good for the game, good for group morale, and makes for a nice break in between those tense moments of the job (or encounters with the zombie warehouse staff that was hiding in the basement).

e-par USA gets thumb's up from Wisconsin

The e‐par USA Environmental Management System (EMS) for Golf has been accepted as “functionally equivalent” to the ISO 14001 EMS standard by the Green Tier Program, the State of Wisconsin’s environmental excellence recognition program managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). As a result of this endorsement, golf facilities adopting the e‐par EMS for Golf will be eligible for recognition of their voluntary environmental accomplishments through the Green Tier Program.

“We are pleased to receive this acknowledgement from the regulatory community, and I am confident that Wisconsin will be the first of many state environmental programs to see the value of our environmental management platform,” said Kevin A. Fletcher, Ph.D., CEO of e‐par USA. “The e‐par online EMS tool helps golf facilities protect the natural environment by using an ISO 14001‐compliant approach to regulatory compliance, risk management, liability containment, and environmental excellence. Therefore, it’s a natural way for golf facilities to participate in terrific state and local environmental recognition efforts such as Wisconsin’s Green Tier Program.”

Through Wisconsin’s Green Tier Program (http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/GreenTier/), participating organizations agree to adopt an environmental management system that meets the ISO 14001 environmental standard. Organizations adopting and implementing the e‐par USA Environmental Management System will meet this requirement. Green Tier adds value to any efforts of implementing an EMS by providing incentives for superior environmental performance, such as a customized working relationship with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.