| Often we come across new ways of thinking, | | | | a habitat enhancement plan. A good selection of |
| some exceptionally brilliant and others fairly | | | | plants for the golf course is very important; the |
| pedestrian by comparison. Howver, it is always | | | | trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs are basic habitat |
| worth looking at new ideas but one thing stands | | | | components as they provide shelter and food. |
| out with most golf courses and that is how you | | | | The plants have to be chosen considering the |
| tend to feel a little closer to nature when you are | | | | drainage, the amount of sun, the soil structure, |
| playing a few rounds. Golf courses are the one | | | | and the already existing vegetation. A combination |
| sport where most countries agree on this one | | | | of ornamental plants, berries, nuts and seeds is |
| factor. I'll leave it you to decide whether it should | | | | the ideal one. It is important to know that native |
| stay that way... | | | | species of plants are less expensive to maintain, |
| Golf is the sporting activity that has one of the | | | | because they are naturally resistant to pests and |
| most intimate interactions with the environment. | | | | diseases and they require less fertilizer and water. |
| There are over 25,000 golf courses in the world. | | | | The turf used on golf courses is often expensive |
| Golf courses account for millions of ha of land all | | | | and difficult to maintain. Therefore, it should be |
| over the world. In our times of urban sprawl, | | | | replaced with prairie grasses and wildflowers in |
| these green spaces should satisfy the needs of | | | | out-of-play areas, on hills or along ponds. The |
| golfers and also accommodate wildlife. Golf | | | | drought tolerance of these plants can greatly |
| courses can become a proper habitat for | | | | reduce the use of water and fertilizer. Even if |
| desirable and sensitive wildlife species. This also | | | | creating a naturalistic landscape requires higher |
| represents a great advantage for the golf players | | | | costs until established, it is a good business, as the |
| as it improves the educational and aesthetic | | | | cost savings will be substantial over time. |
| aspects of the golf course. | | | | The use of pesticides can be replaced by some |
| Habitats that can be found on a golf course vary | | | | natural methods for managing against pests. |
| greatly; there are: ponds, streams, grasslands, | | | | Hanging bat boxes will encourage bats to reside |
| wetlands, savanna woods, mature forests, etc. | | | | on the golf course. They consume thousands of |
| In the United States reports show that golf | | | | insects every night, and this way you'll get rid of |
| courses have already had an important role in | | | | mosquitoes, leafhoppers and moths. The birds also |
| conserving some important species, such as the | | | | consume insects that are harmful to the plants, |
| tree swallow, Eastern bluebird, purple martin, | | | | which live on bark, leaves and branches. |
| osprey and red-cockaded woodpecker. | | | | Here are some examples of ideas to be |
| A wide variety of rare species have also been | | | | considered in order to increase the biodiversity of |
| recorded on different golf courses in England, such | | | | a golf course: |
| as the sand crocus, the pasque flower, the sand | | | | -Erection of different style bird boxes, depending |
| lizard and the natterjack toad. The Royal St | | | | on the species that can be found in the area. |
| George's GC in Kent provided a habitat for 11 | | | | -erect bat boxes |
| orchid species. | | | | -ensurance of sufficient regeneration within |
| In my opinion, any golf course has something to | | | | woodlands |
| offer when it comes to wildlife conservation. | | | | -introduce wildflowers into new woodlands |
| Actually, all courses have some wildlife, but the | | | | -try to reduce cutting intensity where possible |
| goal is to use their full habitat potential. The wildlife | | | | -avoid disturbance by vehicles and people in |
| that can be found on a course depends upon its | | | | sensitive areas of the course |
| soil, vegetation, climate, topography and so on. | | | | -control the coverage of bracken if threatening to |
| With the help of a professional biologist, the golf | | | | more interesting habitats |
| course manager can identify strategies that will | | | | -design natural locations such as prairies and |
| lead to creating a more naturalistic landscape. | | | | wetlands |
| Lately, golf course management includes creating | | | | There are many people who oppose golf courses |
| naturalistic landscapes. And this is not only due to | | | | for environmental reasons. In theory, the large |
| ecological concerns, but also because this | | | | areas of land occupied by golf courses could be a |
| represents a cost-effective solution on the long | | | | natural habitat. The reality is that it would have |
| run. This is because the more naturalistic courses | | | | most probably been used for urbanization or |
| require smaller quantities of pesticides, herbicides | | | | agriculture. The habitat loss is a misconception. |
| and water and therefore they can be maintained | | | | Therefore, both ecologists and golf players should |
| with less effort than the conventional golf | | | | be happy with wildlife-friendly setting on the golf |
| courses. | | | | course. |
| There are some important steps to be followed in | | | | |