ITHACA, N.Y. -- A. Martin Petrovic, professor of turf grass in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University, is the winner of a 2005 Environmental Quality Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The awards honor individuals and organizations "for their outstanding efforts to protect the environment in New York."

Petrovic received an "individual citizen" award for being "instrumental" in the success of the Long Island East End Nitrogen Management Challenge for Golf Courses. Petrovic and two colleagues took the lead in convincing 31 out of 35 Long Island golf course owners and superintendents to participate in improving fertilizer management on their courses. The nitrogen fertilizers used on golf courses degrade groundwater and coastal water quality, and impact habitats and living resources. 

Petrovic's participation in the EPA-sponsored program "was crucial to getting golf courses to join, and it went a long way toward helping to improve environmental management on East End golf courses," according to the EPA announcement.

The award was given April 21 in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Earth Day.