By Tom Tracy, Ph.D., Virginia Turfgrass Council Executive Director

There are many volumes written about partnerships, covering every aspect of those endeavors, including their strengths and weaknesses. I will not even try to summarize the huge amount of material — much of it written by university professors and business experts — that exists on that subject. Instead, I will focus on my partnership experiences with the industry associations I direct and various environmental groups.

The synergy of two or more organizations combining resources to achieve mutually acceptable goals is a win-win proposition — all participants benefit, and mutual goals are accomplished. Recently, the Virginia Turfgrass Council and the VTC Environmental Institute were privileged to develop partnerships with groups usually considered to be at odds with green industry practitioners: environmental associations, including multi state coalitions, and local river keepers. Together, we have rebuilt bioswales, designed and installed a landscape that keeps silt out of the James River, planted erosion-controlling beachgrass at tidal areas in Virginia Beach, and so forth. Attending and speaking at each other’s events is another sign of putting aside the animosity and working together.

What made these joint endeavors work, and perhaps more importantly, what prevented others from being conceived? The answer to the second question is simple: a lack of mutual trust. “When trust is present, collaboration runs smoothly: people are open and in problem-solving mode. When trust is absent, the gears of collaboration are slow and grinding. Time is spent in unproductive suspicion, drama, and repeated validation.” (1)

Mistrust is often rooted in past experiences. Sadly, many industry groups and environmental associations have histories filled with verbal attacks and legislative action against each other. And that history is difficult to surmount in the quest for collaboration — “the past is the key to the future” is often cited as the reason for failure to unite, even on limited, very specific projects.

Two distinct episodes mark turning points in our relations with environmental groups: (1) sitting down with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) leaders to discuss our industry’s efforts to protect the environment and (2) being asked by the Elizabeth River Project (ERP) — a powerful association with headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia — to assist them in teaching proper turfgrass management.

The first crucial event happened in the Shenandoah Valley in a conference room at the Frontier Culture Museum. CBF leaders, including Joe Wood, their Virginia Senior Scientist, met with green industry leaders for over three hours. The result? Both sides identified deeply held misconceptions, and we realized we actually agreed on many issues. That one meeting has spawned a tremendous relationship, including this statement by Chris Gori, General Manager of the CBF’s Brock Environmental Center: “What an awesome day today. You took an area that needed restoration of grasses, and boom, grasses planted in record time. I can’t wait to see it all grow. On behalf of CBF and the City – thank you so much for helping us restore Pleasure House Point.” That particular project included a fantastic third partner: Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Their Horticulture students grew about 700 plants and helped plant them.

A few years ago, ERP’s River Star Homes manager approached the VTC, asking for help. “Why?” was the question we asked over a subsequent lunch meeting. “After all,” we said, “groups such as the Elizabeth River Project usually have nothing to do with industry groups such as the VTC. They view us as environment destroyers.”

“We understand persons along the Elizabeth River will have lawns and landscapes. We want you to help us teach them to take care of them properly,” was her reply. That initial meeting led to years of attending each other’s events, speaking at conferences, and enjoying a deep respect for each other.

That respect, or lack of it, doomed (for the time being, I hope) a budding relationship with another environmental group. We invited their leader to speak at one of our Come to the Bay conferences. We invited her because we had reason to hope that her previous attitude of only wanting to get involved with us so she could point out all the wrong practices of our members was in the past. Our hopes were dashed, and although we truly aspire to work with that great association, partnerships must be built on mutual respect.

Continue reading in Virginia Turfgrass Journal – https://theturfzone.com/vtc/?ascat=8&sub=issue&issue_id=9422&rti=true&rel=4