Johnson serves as GCSAA’s associate director of environmental programs

Lawrence, Kan. (Jan. 11, 2022) – Mark Johnson, associate director of environmental programs for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has been reappointed to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). It will be his second term, and he will serve on the committee through Dec. 9, 2023.

Established in 1995, the PPDC is a diverse group of stakeholders chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide feedback to EPA on various pesticide regulatory, policy and program implementation issues.

The PPDC is comprised of 40 members from environmental and public interest groups, pesticide manufacturers, trade associations, commodity groups, public health and academic institutions, tribes, federal and state agencies, and the general public. Since the committee’s inception, it has provided feedback about various topics including labeling, registration review, non-animal testing, outreach, public health and other issues. Other groups represented on the committee include the American Beekeeping Federation, Center for Biological Diversity, Food and Drug Administration, Tribal Pesticide Program Council, USDA Office of Pest Management Policy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency and Weed Science Society of America.

“GCSAA is grateful to have Mark represent the association on the PPDC again and ensure that the golf industry’s voice is heard,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “His advocacy efforts will continue to shed light on the important role superintendents serve in their communities.”

Johnson has worked in outdoor recreation, environmental protection, wildlife and natural resource conservation for 40 years. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in systematics and ecology. He joined the GCSAA staff in 2005 and began his current role in 2013. 

He was instrumental in GCSAA’s Best Management Practices (BMP) initiative, which launched in 2017 and met its goal of BMP guidelines for golf courses in all 50 states by the end of 2020.

“Representing our members and the golf course industry while serving the EPA on the PPDC is a very important responsibility. It is one I am happy to do but don't take lightly,” Mark Johnson said. “There is a lot going on with the various aspects of this committee, and it is a continuous learning experience. I will continue to identify opportunities to best represent GCSAA and make positive contributions.”

To learn more about GCSAA’s environmental programs, visit www.gcsaa.org/environment.