UConn Extension has developed an Athletic Field Assessment Tool as part of its School Grounds Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) program. This user guide will provide step by step instructions to familiarize the user with this new assessment tool and effectively integrate this viable record keeping tool into effective IPM.

About the Assessment Tool This new tool provides school grounds and municipal turfgrass managers with a standardized method for evaluating turfgrass conditions at their facility. The easy-to-use website provides the ability to input data for all individual fields within a facility to document concerns as they are observed and accurately react to field conditions.

By integrating this assessment tool into a management program, facility and grounds managers can assess the health of their athletic fields more effectively, ensuring safe and healthy playing surfaces for student athletes. For more information and access to this tool, please visit UConn’s IPM website at ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/school-ipm.

Incorporating assessment data into an IPM program supports data-driven and evidence-based decision-making. Regular and routine assessment of turfgrass areas helps guide prevention strategies, identify and monitor pests, and ensure effective management plans. By using assessment data to set action thresholds, managers can respond proactively to potential pest activity.

How To Get Started

Creating an Account/Logging in

• Go to uconn.edu/athleticfields or scan the above QR code to access the login portal.
• Create an account, or if you already have an account, login with your email and password.

Adding a Field

• Once logged in, click on “Add Field”. If you already have an account and have identified fields, then click on “view” to review each field’s history or to edit your assessment reports.

Editing Field Information

• Once you have clicked on “Add Field,”, enter all information you wish to include for this new field into the “Field Info” section.
• The only required field for this form is “Field Name”, which allows you to create a field and go back in later to add details about your field.
• Click “Save” to save the information you entered and go to the report entry page.
• To edit Field Information later, click on “Edit” within the “Add report” page.

Adding Reports

• To add reports for a designated field, click on “Add Report”.
• A drop-down menu will appear under “Add Report” to select a report type or add a photo.
• By selecting a report type, you will be directed to a report-entry page with information fields for each selection.
• After filling out each report click “Save” to save your report, which will return you to your field view of all reports submitted.

Viewing Reports

• To view all past reports, navigate to the “My Fields” homepage of the assessment tool.
• Click “View” on a specific field to view stored reports.

Viewing Report History

• Once under the Field Report History, scroll down to the report you would like to view and click “View Report”
• To search your report history, you can choose to view all a specific type of report by opening the drop-down menu under “Filter by Type”. By default, this is designated as “All” to display all report types you have created. Open the drop-down menu and click on the report type you would like to view all the reports you have submitted.
• To search by date, enter a “Start Date” and “End Date” to narrow down search results.
• To delete a report, click the “Delete Report” button. Be careful! Don’t click “Delete Report” unless you are sure you want the report to be deleted.

Viewing all Reports or Exporting Reports

• To export or print a report, click the “Print” button at the bottom of the report.
• To view, print or save all the reports as a PDF, click “View all reports” at the bottom of the screen, then click “Print all reports” on the left side of the screen.

Navigating the Website

• At any time, you can return to the home screen “My Fields” to view all fields.
• Click “View” for detailed reports on each field.

Logging out

• To log out, select the three-bar menu at the top of your screen and select “Log Out”. It is not required that you log out.

Troubleshooting

Please note: all images displayed in the online user guide booklet online (ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu) are on a mobile device and will be slightly different when viewed on a laptop or PC.

To close navigation steps at any time simply click the “X” on the upper right corner of the banner. Note that these navigation steps will reappear every time you refresh the page.

Why use Assessment Tools? Steps to Success

Enhance Player Safety

Record keeping plays a vital role in the management of natural grass athletic fields. Documenting the care required for safe and consistent playing surfaces directly supports athlete’s safety and field integrity.

Promote Healthy Landscapes

Effective maintenance of non-athletic field turfgrass areas, as well as managed landscapes, contributes to a healthier, more attractive campus environment, improving quality of life for students, teachers, and staff.

Inform Policy

Data gained from sports turf management assessments can be used to promote evidence-based decision-making practices related to user group requests and field conditions or to address budget concerns.

Additional Resources

Additional resources on School IPM and Best Management Practices as well as the Athletic Field Assessment Tool can be found at ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/school-ipm. If you would like to receive updates on the UConn School IPM Program, please contact Victoria Wallace, victoria.wallace@uconn.edu, or visit ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/school-ipm.

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