Whilst it is difficult to be certain of the effects global warming and climate change will have for any specific region, it has been predicted that the UK climate could change to such an extent that by 2030 it will be similar to that currently being experienced in the south of France.
Already we are seeing more unpredictable weather patterns with a general trend towards milder & wetter winters, whilst our summers become hotter & drier with the occasional flash flood thrown in for good measure. Summer drought situations will become a more regular problem, whilst changes in rainfall patterns will have a significant impact on rivers, water supplies, drainage and irrigation.
The effects of such changes are already being felt in the amenity industry. Whilst media pictures of flooded stadiums and sports grounds become ever more frequent, we continue to hear warnings of possible drought situations during the summer and possible restrictions on water abstraction & use. Wherever restrictions regarding water use are implemented, they are always targeted initially towards non-essential users, and most sports turf facilities fall firmly into this sector. The idea of making best use of all available water therefore makes good sense. The emphasis must now be placed on reducing the impact of these extremes for the sports turf industry before they start to restrict the use of such facilities.
Bourne Amenity, Field Irrigation, and the other companies involved in this conference have introduced systems to the industry that have contributed greatly towards minimising the negative effects of these extremes and the increasingly demanding conditions. Delegates to the conference will hear from experts on global warming and the environment, explaining how these factors will have a direct impact on the climate, water resources, and consequently all outdoor sports turf facilities. Importantly, they will also hear from speakers who are able to provide the solutions to counteract these and other problems. This conference, the first to cover this increasingly important area, will be essential for all those professionals responsible for the design, specification and maintenance of areas where sports turf forms part of their business.
Areas to be covered at the conference will include:
Climate Change
Drainage & Soil Management
Water Management & Irrigation
Filtration & Recycling of Water
Legislation
Recommended Delegates
Local Authorities & Councils
Landscape Contractors
Landscape Architects
Football Clubs
Rugby Clubs
Golf Clubs
Consultants
The list of speakers taking part at the conference will be:
Bill Giles, OBE, Former Head of BBC Weather Centre
Bill, a world renowned expert on climate change, has been broadcasting on radio since 1972 and on television since 1975. His presentation will cover predicted climate change for the next 100 years, and how the changes we are already experiencing will impact on the sports turf industry over the next 10 to 50 years. He will also reveal some of the more humorous moments experienced whilst in charge of the BBC weather team.
David Kirby and Rob Kendle, Bourne Amenity
David Kirby and Rob Kendle from Bourne Amenity have constantly been challenging the traditional industry methods and thinking behind land drainage. Developments already benefiting the sports turf sector have included the replacing of normal routine maintenance programmes with the new techniques of seamless drainage and soil maintenance.
Koos de Bruijn, Barenbrug
Koos de Bruijn has been involved in the breeding of grass varieties for over 30 years and is now the turf grass breeder at Barenbrug, based at their Toulouse research station. Their turf grass breeding programme is the most southerly in Europe, investigating cultivars and mixtures that will provide the best solutions under a variety of climatic conditions throughout the world.
Graham Warren, Environment Agency
As Area Water Resources Manager, Graham Warren is concerned with issues relating to water resources, abstraction and legislation. In March 1999 the government produced their Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS), which together with the European Water Framework Directive could significantly affect abstraction licensing legislation for irrigation, consent, permits and drought orders.
Richard Owen, Field Irrigation
Richard Owen has utilised his wealth of knowledge & experience in the development and commercial introduction of irrigation systems to meet individual requirements. During this time the company has been at the forefront of new developments in the industry such as the recycling of drainage & storage water, providing solutions for year round play and use of amenity surfaces.
Helen Fazakerley, Ocean Environmental Engineering Ltd.
Helen Fazakerley is one of the leading experts in the demanding area of water filtration, specialising in reed bed systems. Tightening regulations concerning run-off water quality and a greater emphasis on the recycling of water for irrigation purposes, increasing demonstrate the commercial effectiveness of these systems.
Mark Whittaker, Koppert UK Ltd.
Extremes of both wet and dry climatic conditions will significantly increase plant stress which is known to severely effect growth. As Consultant Entomologist at Koppert, Mark Whittaker is involved in the development & registration of biological solutions for stimulating plant performance & health, whilst increasing disease resistance under such conditions.
The conference is to be held on Thursday 5th December 2002 at Brands Hatch Thistle Hotel, Brands Hatch, Dartford, Kent
For further details please contact Simon Ovenden, sales & marketing manager at John Bourne & Co. Ltd.Tel: 01797 252298 E-mail: simon@bourne.uk.com