Description
Since its inception in 1991, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) has been assisting golf courses in their efforts to blend environmentally responsible maintenance practices into day-to-day golf course operations
Environmental Management Practices for Golf Courses
Since its inception in 1991, the Audubon Cooperative
Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) has been
assisting golf courses in their efforts to blend
environmentally responsible maintenance practices into day
-to-day golf course operations. Drawing upon the expertise
and experience of golf course superintendents, golf industry
experts, university researchers, and environmental
professionals from diverse backgrounds, Audubon
International has developed Standard Environmental
Management Practices that are generally applicable to all
golf courses. These practices form the basis for the ACSP’s
certification guidelines.
Environmental Planning
Evaluation and planning helps course managers to balance
the demands of golf with their responsibility to the natural
environment. An initial site assessment and environmental
plan, followed by yearly review and goal setting, helps golf
course superintendents and others to responsibly care for the
land, water, wildlife, and natural resources upon which the
course is sustained.
? Conduct a site assessment to evaluate current
environmental management practices, and identify
strengths and liabilities.
? Develop a map of the course that highlights wildlife
habitats, water resources, and management zones to use
for planning and project implementation.
? Set goals and priorities and assign responsibilities to staff.
? Evaluate progress toward goals and objectives at least
once per year.
? Train employees regarding the importance of
environmental performance and specific techniques for
ensuring environmental quality.
? Communicate regularly to employees, customers,
stakeholders, and community members about
environmental goals, issues, project implementation, and
progress.
? Document environmental activities and results to assist
with planning and to track progress.
To download this fact sheet and more, visit: www.auduboninternational.org
“When I first came to Sumner
Meadows the golf course was mowed wall to wall.
Everything was expected to be kept ‘short and
green’. Being involved with Audubon International
has helped to change that perception. Not only
have naturalized areas increased habitat, it has
also reduced maintenance costs. The changes
we have made have added an important new
dimension, aesthetically, to the course. Areas that
were once just more rough, are now a sharp
contrast to the green fairways and greens. The
tall golden grass is visually appealing along with
providing habitat for birds and other animals."
- Mark Seman, Sumner Meadows Golf Links,
Sumner, WA
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Implementing environmental management practices enhances existing
natural habitats and landscaping on the golf course to promote wildlife and
biodiversity conservation. The great variation in golf course location, size,
and layout, as well as special wildlife species and habitat considerations,
must be accounted for when planning and implementing appropriate
practices.
General Knowledge
? Identify core habitats, such as mature woodlands, wetlands, or stream
corridors, and special habitat concerns, such as endangered or
threatened species, on the property.
? Train staff to understand that management practices may positively
enhance or adversely impact wildlife species and habitats on the
property.
? Identify the dominant native plant community and ecological region in
which the golf course is located.
? Maintain an on-going written inventory of at least bird and mammal
species to document and track wildlife use of the property.
Wildlife Habitat Enhancements
? Maintain natural wildlife habitat in at least 50% of all minimally used
portions of the property.
? Connect small and large natural areas as much as possible to improve
wildlife movement throughout the golf course and from the course to
neighboring natural areas. For instance, connect woods, meadows,
stream corridors, and ponds with corridors of natural vegetation.
? Maintain or plant varying heights and types of plants, from ground
cover to shrub and tree layers in habitat areas such as woods, desert, or prairie (e.g., leave understory in
woodlands; maintain grasses and herbaceous plants in tall grass areas).
? Leave dead trees standing when they do not pose a safety hazard.
? Maintain a water source for wildlife with aquatic plants and shrubbery or native landscaping along the shoreline (i.e.,
not turfgrass). This could be a pond, stream, wetland, or river corridor. On smaller properties, this may also include a
birdbath or created “backyard” pool.
? Naturalize at least 50% of out-of-play shorelines with emergent aquatic and shoreline plants. Give special attention
to shallow water areas (
Since its inception in 1991, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) has been assisting golf courses in their efforts to blend environmentally responsible maintenance practices into day-to-day golf course operations
Environmental Management Practices for Golf Courses
Since its inception in 1991, the Audubon Cooperative
Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) has been
assisting golf courses in their efforts to blend
environmentally responsible maintenance practices into day
-to-day golf course operations. Drawing upon the expertise
and experience of golf course superintendents, golf industry
experts, university researchers, and environmental
professionals from diverse backgrounds, Audubon
International has developed Standard Environmental
Management Practices that are generally applicable to all
golf courses. These practices form the basis for the ACSP’s
certification guidelines.
Environmental Planning
Evaluation and planning helps course managers to balance
the demands of golf with their responsibility to the natural
environment. An initial site assessment and environmental
plan, followed by yearly review and goal setting, helps golf
course superintendents and others to responsibly care for the
land, water, wildlife, and natural resources upon which the
course is sustained.
? Conduct a site assessment to evaluate current
environmental management practices, and identify
strengths and liabilities.
? Develop a map of the course that highlights wildlife
habitats, water resources, and management zones to use
for planning and project implementation.
? Set goals and priorities and assign responsibilities to staff.
? Evaluate progress toward goals and objectives at least
once per year.
? Train employees regarding the importance of
environmental performance and specific techniques for
ensuring environmental quality.
? Communicate regularly to employees, customers,
stakeholders, and community members about
environmental goals, issues, project implementation, and
progress.
? Document environmental activities and results to assist
with planning and to track progress.
To download this fact sheet and more, visit: www.auduboninternational.org
“When I first came to Sumner
Meadows the golf course was mowed wall to wall.
Everything was expected to be kept ‘short and
green’. Being involved with Audubon International
has helped to change that perception. Not only
have naturalized areas increased habitat, it has
also reduced maintenance costs. The changes
we have made have added an important new
dimension, aesthetically, to the course. Areas that
were once just more rough, are now a sharp
contrast to the green fairways and greens. The
tall golden grass is visually appealing along with
providing habitat for birds and other animals."
- Mark Seman, Sumner Meadows Golf Links,
Sumner, WA
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Implementing environmental management practices enhances existing
natural habitats and landscaping on the golf course to promote wildlife and
biodiversity conservation. The great variation in golf course location, size,
and layout, as well as special wildlife species and habitat considerations,
must be accounted for when planning and implementing appropriate
practices.
General Knowledge
? Identify core habitats, such as mature woodlands, wetlands, or stream
corridors, and special habitat concerns, such as endangered or
threatened species, on the property.
? Train staff to understand that management practices may positively
enhance or adversely impact wildlife species and habitats on the
property.
? Identify the dominant native plant community and ecological region in
which the golf course is located.
? Maintain an on-going written inventory of at least bird and mammal
species to document and track wildlife use of the property.
Wildlife Habitat Enhancements
? Maintain natural wildlife habitat in at least 50% of all minimally used
portions of the property.
? Connect small and large natural areas as much as possible to improve
wildlife movement throughout the golf course and from the course to
neighboring natural areas. For instance, connect woods, meadows,
stream corridors, and ponds with corridors of natural vegetation.
? Maintain or plant varying heights and types of plants, from ground
cover to shrub and tree layers in habitat areas such as woods, desert, or prairie (e.g., leave understory in
woodlands; maintain grasses and herbaceous plants in tall grass areas).
? Leave dead trees standing when they do not pose a safety hazard.
? Maintain a water source for wildlife with aquatic plants and shrubbery or native landscaping along the shoreline (i.e.,
not turfgrass). This could be a pond, stream, wetland, or river corridor. On smaller properties, this may also include a
birdbath or created “backyard” pool.
? Naturalize at least 50% of out-of-play shorelines with emergent aquatic and shoreline plants. Give special attention
to shallow water areas (