Before 2020, when most of us thought about nature, it was most likely a place we had to “go to” or “be in.” It required considerable planning and packing for a special trip to a distant national or state park or a multi-day camping trip into the woods.
However, over the past year, realization that nature is all around us became increasingly important as large numbers of people sought solace and safety through nature-based recreation close to home. And golf, thanks to its outdoor locations and ability to quickly adapt to social distancing requirements, became a recreational beacon in many communities.
New and long-time players flocked to courses, pushing the number of rounds played to record-high levels not seen since 2007. Additionally, many clubs opened their grounds to their neighbors for walking, birding, cross-country skiing and other outdoor activities. Now, as we begin to see light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, there’s a significant opportunity for golf clubs, resorts and communities to put their environmental foot forward and secure recognition for their many local, regional and national ecological contributions.
Changing Dynamics
According to Henry DeLozier of GGA Partners and Chairman of Audobon International, clubs should consider the following when planning their futures:
- Many of today’s club members expect greater levels of environmental stewardship from the businesses and other organizations with which they associate.
- Clubs are increasingly under pressure to comply with local rules and environmental regulations, and subsequently, must increase their “green” activities.
DeLozier also explains that establishing clubs’ reputations for eco-friendliness is a valuable marketing tool that attracts new members, retains current members and builds loyalty and sustainability for next generations.
“Environmental stewardship is essential to private clubs’ success,” he says, “as most women and millennials indicate strong support for clubs dedicated to matters that create safe havens for memory-making with friends and family.”
As the trusted name and recognized expert in environmental stewardship and certification for golf and related industries, Audubon International helps clubs formalize and recognize their environmental efforts. More than 3,000 properties have enrolled in the organization’s rigorous certification program that creates sustainable environments where people live, work and play. Audubon International’s team provides expert, best-practices assistance, and technical resources to educate, empower and energize clubs’ teams to better manage their land, water, wildlife and other natural resources.
Powerful Programs
Many of Audubon International’s members relish the positive energy and creative outlets cultivated by conservation projects; this sense of ownership contributes to a stable membership base. Employees also favorably respond as job satisfaction and retention increases. Furthermore, cost savings through reduced pesticide, fertilizer and water usage are realized without compromise to quality golf course condition.
Three Audubon International conservation initiatives are specifically tailored to golf and can be easily tied into clubs’ management and marketing programs:
Monarchs in the Rough (MITR) is the golf industry’s largest monarch butterfly program. In just over two years, 750 clubs from 47 states, Puerto Rico, six Canadian provinces and Mexico committed to create roughly 1,100 acres of new habitat in out-of-play areas to support monarch butterflies as they migrate to appropriate climates.
The monarch butterfly is a North American icon, but its population has declined by more than 90% in the past two decades. In addition to MITR habitats, the program is increasing awareness of golf’s contributions to the monarch conservation challenge.
Thanks to grant support from the USGA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, MITR jump-started habitat restoration in a coordinated way not previously experienced, empowering course superintendents and other interested parties to formally take action. Course plantings are already being integrated into larger habitat initiatives off-course with watershed groups, garden clubs and homeowner associations.
Raptor Relocation Network (RRN) is a partnership between Audubon International and United Airlines’ eco-skies program. It connects the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program and Signature Sanctuary member golf courses with airport wildlife managers who trap and relocate raptors for safety purposes, including reduction of bird strikes.
Currently operating at five airports in the New York metro area and San Francisco, RRN is designed to protect raptors—including hawks, kestrels and owls—by relocating these birds-of-prey to safer, more suitable habitats on golf courses within Audubon International’s network of certified sanctuary properties.
Courses are ideal and under-recognized habitats for raptors due to their abundance of high vantage perches and long, clear views along and across fairways, excellent nesting opportunities, wide variety of habitats and limited interaction with humans. Audubon International member courses are managed with wildlife habitats in mind and hold potential to be designated as Official Release Sites for the Raptor Relocation Network.
BioBlitz is an annual, free and fun way to showcase the environmental value of natural habitats on golf courses worldwide. During a specified timeframe, participants such as club members and their families, youth groups, community members and local environmental experts gather to enjoy nature while counting plant and animal species located on each property.
Courses often provide the highest quality of green space and wildlife habitat in urban areas. Audubon International hosts an annual BioBlitz campaign for its members to highlight the breadth of species diversity on their courses. BioBlitz is designed to be an intense surveying period, lasting no more than a week, where clubs host volunteer groups to inventory the living matter—plants, fungi, insects and animals—on their properties.
In 2019, more than 1,000 people visited golf courses across America to participate in Audubon International’s 5th annual BioBlitz (it was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic). Participating clubs went above and beyond in outreach and environmental stewardship, recording more than 5,400 distinct species and conducting beekeeping exhibits, scavenger hunts, meetand-greet sessions with live birds and other activities. Clubs competed for awards in community engagement, biodiversity and best photograph.
Southwinds Golf Course in Boca Raton, Fla., won the Community Engagement Award with 271 participants. Key to success was a Lady’s Night Out and Junior BioBlitz session that included crafting animal masks and birdhouses along with a scavenger hunt for wildlife. The clubhouse joined in by featuring a wildlife-theme drink menu throughout the event.
Sharon Painter, Southwinds’ general manager, says, “We make it a priority to educate our golfers of all ages about the habitat our golf course provides to the diversity of species that call Southwinds Golf Course home.”
Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston earned the Biodiversity Award with 576 species identified. Deborah Repasz, BioBlitz volunteer coordinator from Bay Oaks, says: “We could not have had this number without the help of my fellow Galveston Bay Area Texas Master Naturalists. They diligently worked to find and identify as many species as possible using iNaturalist on their phones as well as field guides. We participate in BioBlitz to track the increase and decrease of species in the area while also hosting a fun event. Some were surprised to see what a golf course can support in flora and fauna. It isn’t all mown grass, sand, trees and water!”
NCA Supports Environmental Efforts
There are many reasons for and benefits to putting your environmental foot forward. The National Club Association (NCA) is behind Audubon International’s movement and encourages its members to visit auduboninternational.org or call 518-767-9051, ext. 115 to get involved.
Christine Kane is CEO of Audubon International. She can be reached at [email protected].