Clean Air, Healthy Fields: How the Clean Air Calculator Empowers Sports Field Managers

Clean air, healthy fields was the clear message delivered at the 2026 Sports Field Management Association’s Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, where Project EverGreen Executive Director Cindy Code and immediate past president Scott Bills of Sports Field Solutions reminded sports field managers that natural grass fields are living systems that deliver measurable environmental value – value that can now be clearly quantified.

Clean Air, Healthy Fields - Project EverGreen

Project EverGreen Executive Director Cindy Code (right) and immediate past president Scott Bills of Sports Field Solutions remind sports field managers that natural grass fields are living systems delivering measurable environmental value – value that can now be clearly quantified.

That’s where Project EverGreen’s Clean Air Calculator (CAC) comes in.

Developed as a science-based tool, the Clean Air Calculator translates the environmental benefits of professionally managed natural turf into data that administrators, school boards, municipalities, and community stakeholders can understand and trust. In an era where sustainability expectations are rising and budgets require justification; the CAC gives sports field managers the numbers they need to advocate for natural grass and proper maintenance.

Turning Turf Management into Environmental Data

Sports field managers already know the benefits of healthy turf. Grass sequesters carbon, produces oxygen, cools surrounding areas, and contributes to safer, more playable fields. What the Clean Air Calculator does is make those benefits visible.

Using peer-reviewed research from institutions including The Ohio State University, Texas A&M, and the Soil Health Institute, the CAC measures:

  • Carbon sequestered annually
  • Clean air produced each year
  • Equivalent miles of vehicle emissions offset
  • The number of people benefiting from oxygen production

For example, just 5,000 square feet of healthy grass can produce enough oxygen to support more than a dozen people per day, depending on location. When applied across athletic fields, campuses, or park systems, the environmental impact quickly becomes significant

A Stronger Case for Natural Grass Fields

Sports field managers are often asked to defend natural turf against synthetic alternatives, especially when decision-makers focus on usage hours or short-term convenience. The Clean Air Calculator helps shift that conversation.

Rather than framing grass as a “green space,” the CAC positions it as environmental infrastructure. The healthier the turf, the greater the environmental return. Properly managed fields don’t just perform better – they actively contribute to sustainability goals, including Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives now required by many schools, municipalities, and institutions.

With CAC data in hand, field managers can demonstrate how investment in aeration, irrigation, fertility, and professional oversight supports both field safety and environmental outcomes.

“Sports field managers have always known that natural grass fields do more than host games – they improve communities,” Bills told attendees. “What the Clean Air Calculator does is turn that belief into credible, science-backed data. It gives managers the confidence to walk into any budget meeting and clearly show that healthy turf is not an expense – it’s environmental infrastructure.”

A Tool for Communication and Advocacy

One of the CAC’s most powerful benefits is its role as a storytelling tool. It converts technical data into public-facing language that resonates beyond the industry.

Statements like “This field cleans the air for 178 people annually” or “Offsets the equivalent of 250,000 miles driven each year” help non-experts understand the value of natural grass quickly and clearly. That clarity improves credibility, strengthens budget discussions, and supports long-term turf preservation.

Benefits Beyond Sports Fields

While the CAC is especially valuable for sports field managers, its applications extend across the green industry.

  • Landscape contractors can use CAC reports to show clients the environmental return of professionally managed properties.
  • Lawn care professionals can demonstrate how healthy residential and commercial turf contributes to cleaner air and reduced carbon impact.
  • Golf course superintendents can quantify the environmental value of managed acreage and support sustainability reporting.
  • Municipal parks departments can align park maintenance programs with ESG goals and community health initiatives.

In every case, the tool reinforces the same message: healthy, well-managed green spaces deliver benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics.

Start Small. Think Big.

Project EverGreen encourages professionals to start with one field, one property, or one park. Use the Clean Air Calculator in a single meeting. Share one result. Those small steps help elevate the profession, strengthen advocacy for natural turf, and position green industry professionals as environmental leaders.

Because when you maintain grass, you’re also maintaining clean air.

Try the Clean Air Calculator now.

Precision Lawn Care & Vigo Turf Supports Military Families in Terre Haute

Precision Lawn Care & Vigo Turf has supporting the military deep in its DNA as a four-season landscape maintenance and snow removal firm based in Terre Haute, Indiana.

“Hiring retired veterans was and is our MO dating back to when we started this business,” says Chad Feller, who founded the company in 1989. “We actively seek out military veterans to fill positions because they are reliable and dependable.”

Feller has also been a proud volunteer for Project EverGreen’s GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programs.

“I think we’ve been involved in the program since its inception,” Feller recalls. “I was in Louisville at a major landscape trade show when they were talking about launching the program and looking for companies to sign up. My father-in-law, Earl McDowell, a retired Air Force veteran who was helping build the business at the time, said to me, ‘Chad, we are going to do this.’”

Roots in Lawn Care

Feller grew up around landscape equipment. In the late 1970s, he worked with his father doing small engine repair.

Precision Lawn Care & Vigo Turf -Project EverGreen

Precision Lawn Care & Vigo Turf team members (left to right) Scott Elkins, Chad Feller, Gilbert Archer, and Tim Stone proudly support military families in the Terre Haute community through GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops.

“I’d come home from school and tear the motors down. My dad would go through them and fix what was wrong, and the next night I’d put them back together and install them on the mowers,” says Feller.

He continued mowing lawns through high school and officially launched Precision Lawn Care in 1989. In 1992, he married his wife, Amy, and together they balanced corporate careers while building the company on the side. In 2017, they committed full time to growing the business.

“I Called Him Mac”

Feller’s father-in-law made a profound impact on both his personal life and the early growth of the company. McDowell served as a munitions specialist at the Terre Haute 181st Air National Guard Base until retiring in the mid-2000s.

“I called him Mac. He built bombs for F-16 fighters for years, but that work ended at the Terre Haute base when it transitioned to drones in 2008,” Feller explains.

McDowell had been helping with the business before his retirement, but after leaving military service, he joined the company full time. As the business expanded, Mac supported both operations and fieldwork.

“He got us into sweeping parking lots and similar work,” says Feller. “Mac had the perfect personality for building munitions – extreme precision and a meticulous process. In retirement, doing parking lot work helped him relax and refocus.”

Continuing a Commitment to Serve

In 1996, McDowell was deployed to Turkey for 18 months. During that time, Precision Lawn Care provided complimentary lawn maintenance to military families.

“When he returned, we discovered GreenCare for Troops,” Feller says. “My father-in-law really wanted the company to officially join the effort and continue giving back. We’ve participated every year since.”

Through Project EverGreen’s programs, the company has provided lawn care, snow removal, storm cleanup, and other services as needed.

“This is a small service we can provide for those who serve and sacrifice so much,” Feller says. “Deployed service members know their families have one less thing to worry about at home.”

Following McDowell’s tragic passing in 2015, Feller’s ongoing commitment to GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops has become both a service to military families and a tribute to his father-in-law’s legacy.

Serving Military Families Today

Currently, Precision Lawn Care is assisting two local families with snow removal services.

“One family has three kids, so we’re making sure they can get in and out of the driveway safely,” Feller says. Another family is also receiving snow removal support, with their service member expected home soon.

Last year, when deployments from the Terre Haute base increased, Feller stepped up to support three families.

“We did a little bit of everything,” he recalls. “Trimming bushes, mowing, maintenance – whatever was needed. We try to go a little above and beyond.”

In one instance, a windstorm tore a door off a home, and his crew stepped in to make the repair.

The Terre Haute community has a strong military tradition, and Feller is proud that Precision Lawn Care can help ease the burden for families when loved ones are deployed.

Through consistent volunteer service with Project EverGreen’s GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programs, Precision Lawn Care continues to demonstrate that supporting those who serve is more than a gesture – it is a long-standing commitment rooted in family, community, and gratitude.

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Are you ready to give back to our military heroes through the power of landscaping? Sign up today and make a meaningful difference!

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.

 

BOSS Snowplow Joins SnowCare for Troops to Support Military Families When Winter Hits Home

BOSS Snowplow knows that when winter storms hit, snow and ice management professionals are among the first to respond keeping people safe, mobile, and connected. That sense of responsibility extends beyond jobsites and contracts, reaching into neighborhoods across the country where military families are navigating months-long deployments.

That commitment is why BOSS Snowplow is the proud Title Sponsor of Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops program. Rooted in values of service, integrity, and community impact, the partnership reflects a shared belief that strong communities are built when people show up for one another especially during the toughest winter months.

BOSS Snowplow - Project EverGreen

Built on service and integrity, the Project EverGreen/BOSS Snowplow partnership proves that community shows up when it matters most – even in the heart of winter.

Through SnowCare for Troops, BOSS helps ensure military families can count on safe driveways, clear walkways, and one less worry when it matters most.

Why does BOSS Snowplow choose to support Project EverGreen and its SnowCare for Troops initiative, and how does this partnership align with your company’s values?
We believe in taking care of the people who take care of others. Supporting Project EverGreen and SnowCare for Troops aligns naturally with our values of service, integrity, and community impact. Military families sacrifice a great deal, often quietly, and this program is a tangible way for our industry to step up and give back. It reflects our belief that strong communities are built when people show up for one another especially during challenging seasons.

What does SnowCare for Troops mean to BOSS Snowplow as a company rooted in serving snow and ice management professionals across the country?
SnowCare for Troops represents the very best of the snow and ice management industry. Our contractors are problem-solvers, first responders in winter, and community leaders and this program puts those qualities on full display. For BOSS, it’s meaningful because it connects our products, our customers, and our purpose. It’s not just about moving snow; it’s about supporting families and giving peace of mind when it matters most.

From your perspective, why is it important that military families rely on volunteers to handle snow removal during deployments, recovery, or times of transition?
Winter doesn’t pause for deployment schedules or life transitions. Knowing that something as essential as safe access to a home is handled removes one more burden for military families during already stressful times. Reliable snow removal means safer driveways, accessible walkways, and one less thing to worry about allowing families to focus on what truly matters: their loved ones and their well-being.

How does sponsoring SnowCare for Troops reflect the broader role snow removal professionals play in supporting safety, accessibility, and community well-being during winter?
Snow removal professionals are critical to keeping communities moving and safe in winter conditions. Whether it’s clearing roads, sidewalks, hospitals, or homes, their work directly impacts safety and quality of life. Sponsoring SnowCare for Troops highlights that broader role showing that this industry isn’t just about equipment or contracts, but about service, responsibility, and community care.

What message would you share with snow and ice management contractors who may be considering volunteering their time and equipment to support military families through SnowCare for Troops?
If you’re considering volunteering, know that your impact goes far beyond clearing snow. You’re providing reassurance, safety, and gratitude to families who give so much for our country. Even one driveway makes a difference. SnowCare for Troops is an opportunity to use your skills, equipment, and expertise in a way that truly matters and to be part of something bigger than any single storm

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Are you ready to give back to our military heroes through the power of landscaping? Sign up today and make a meaningful difference!

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.

 

Exterior Solutions: From Snowplows to Service Through SnowCare for Troops

For most of his professional life, Dino Tudisca ran a robust snow care operation alongside his home renovation business, Exterior Solutions, in Norwich, Conn. At its peak, his company operated up to 10 snowplows across the region whenever the snow started falling.

But as the years went on, the “glamour” of the snow care business began to fade. This winter, Tudisca shifted his focus almost entirely to home remodeling keeping just a handful of longtime plow clients and continuing to serve four military families through Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops program.

“In general, my enjoyment of plowing snow this year is a lot higher than it’s been for the last 10 years,” Tudisca says. “Basically, I’m doing five of my own driveways and then the four families I’m matched with through SnowCare for Troops. We got completely out of the commercial side, and it’s been very relaxing.”

Located near the New London Submarine Base in southeastern Connecticut, Tudisca has had a steady stream of military families to serve since joining the program in 2010. The base is home to approximately 15 submarines, and at any given time, several are deployed.

More recently, his connection to the military became deeply personal. About a year and a half ago, Tudisca’s daughter married a submarine service member.

“I’ve learned a lot about how it works,” he says. “Deployments can last anywhere from a week to six months, depending on the submarine and the mission.”

Some situations require sailors to deploy on short notice for a week or two, while planned missions last much longer. His son-in-law is currently nearing the end of a six-month deployment.

In an unexpected twist, three of the four SnowCare for Troops families Tudisca serves are connected to that same submarine.

“The husbands are all on my son-in-law’s boat,” he explains. “They’re all fellow crew members, which has given me even more appreciation for the SnowCare for Troops program. Before, it was about doing a good thing to support servicemen and women who are deployed. As someone who never served, this was my way to show appreciation. Now, having it hit so close to home really drives it home.”

Tudisca sees firsthand how different support systems or the lack of them can shape a family’s experience during deployment.

“My daughter lives a mile from the house she grew up in,” he says. “She has her entire family right there – grandparents, aunts, uncles, mom, dad, sister. It’s a huge support system. The other families don’t have that. They’re kind of on an island.”

Snow removal, he notes, is often an unexpected expense for those families one they don’t know how to manage or who to trust.

“They don’t know who to call or who’s reliable,” he says. “Whatever little bit I can do to help is really important to me, and I get a lot of joy from it.”

That joy was especially evident during a recent visit to one of the families he serves a National Guard household with a parent deployed to the Middle East for a year.

“They have a tricky driveway where I have to get out and use a snow blower for part of it,” Tudisca recalls. “The mom told me that the last time I cleared it, it happened to be her daughter’s birthday. She said it felt like an extra birthday present for her daughter to watch from the window. That was so cool.”

For Tudisca, SnowCare for Troops offers a meaningful way to give back one that fits naturally into his life and work.

“Ultimately, it’s a pretty light lift for those of us who already have the equipment and are out there doing this anyway,” he says. “But the impact it has on these families is huge.”

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Are you ready to give back to our military heroes through the power of landscaping? Sign up today and make a meaningful difference!

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.