Showing posts with label Environmental Institute for Golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environmental Institute for Golf. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2009
While submersed in the walls of a golf course, you couldn't feel further away from the concrete jungle when you witness a Blue Heron strike a small fish and watch as it gulps down lunch. While supporting habitat needs has become a secondary function of our golf courses (along with carbon sequestering, heat-island sinks, storm water management, etc...) maintaining these functions has become a primary focuses. One of the basic elements that contributes to overall ecosystem health is of course water quality. Once superintendents have employed techniques to protect, preserve and improve water quality, the next step is to encourage wildlife.
Whether a golf course is located on a stream, large lake or dotted with small ponds, aquatic life is essential to the local food chain. I've compiled a few resources explaining what golf courses are doing to increase the effectiveness of our water features for aquatic life and some basic "how to" links that can provide guidance.
Links to improving fish habitat on the golf courses from The Environmental Institute for Golf:
Water under the Bridge - Managing Fish Habitat and Stream Crossings on a Manitoba Golf Course (Word Doc.)
Here are a few links to the regulations of restoring and protecting fish habitat and the process of stocking your pond or stream: Why Protect Fish Habitat? Here is some great starting info from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This site begins to outline the regulations surrounding interactions with fish habitat. Here are few regional links, I recommend you review them all, but be sure to contact your local government body responsible for enforcing fish habitat related regulations.
While submersed in the walls of a golf course, you couldn't feel further away from the concrete jungle when you witness a Blue Heron strike a small fish and watch as it gulps down lunch. While supporting habitat needs has become a secondary function of our golf courses (along with carbon sequestering, heat-island sinks, storm water management, etc...) maintaining these functions has become a primary focuses. One of the basic elements that contributes to overall ecosystem health is of course water quality. Once superintendents have employed techniques to protect, preserve and improve water quality, the next step is to encourage wildlife.
Whether a golf course is located on a stream, large lake or dotted with small ponds, aquatic life is essential to the local food chain. I've compiled a few resources explaining what golf courses are doing to increase the effectiveness of our water features for aquatic life and some basic "how to" links that can provide guidance.
Links to improving fish habitat on the golf courses from The Environmental Institute for Golf:
Water under the Bridge - Managing Fish Habitat and Stream Crossings on a Manitoba Golf Course (Word Doc.)
Here are a few links to the regulations of restoring and protecting fish habitat and the process of stocking your pond or stream: Why Protect Fish Habitat? Here is some great starting info from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This site begins to outline the regulations surrounding interactions with fish habitat. Here are few regional links, I recommend you review them all, but be sure to contact your local government body responsible for enforcing fish habitat related regulations.
As mentioned in previous posts, Greg Norman is a strong voice for environmental stewardship in our industry, here's a short video about the importance of community friendly golf courses.
As mentioned in previous posts, Greg Norman is a strong voice for environmental stewardship in our industry, here's a short video about the importance of community friendly golf courses.
What began as a modest $200 scholarship awarded to a student in 1955 has evolved over the past 50 years into a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities directed at strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with the natural environment. As the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), The Environmental Institute for Golf (The Institute) relies upon the support of many individuals and organizations to fund programs and projects that help golf courses fulfill the environmental, recreational and economic needs of their communities. The Institute is fortunate to have more than 9,000 active donors, representing each of the United States and 67 countries worldwide, supporting its efforts. Why? They believe in the future of the game and its positive impact to a community.
In January 2003, The Institute evolved from The GCSAA Foundation, originally established in 1955, with a new name, mission and focus. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving information collection, research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course.
Today, The Institute funds more than $1 million annually in environmental programs, including scientific research, education, information collection, outreach and scholarships.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is committed to strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with our natural environment.
By 2008 the EIG hopes to provide:
Collaboration between the golf and environmental communities will lead to programs and services beneficial to all who come in contact with the game of golf.
Golf course design, construction and management will implement environmental standards to strengthen the compatibility of golf and the environment.
The environmental, recreational and economic aspects of golf courses will be enhanced for their communities.
The Environmental Institute for Golf offers a ton of great resources, click on the topics below for an amazing collection of Case Studies, Research Papers and Advertisements:
What began as a modest $200 scholarship awarded to a student in 1955 has evolved over the past 50 years into a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities directed at strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with the natural environment. As the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), The Environmental Institute for Golf (The Institute) relies upon the support of many individuals and organizations to fund programs and projects that help golf courses fulfill the environmental, recreational and economic needs of their communities. The Institute is fortunate to have more than 9,000 active donors, representing each of the United States and 67 countries worldwide, supporting its efforts. Why? They believe in the future of the game and its positive impact to a community.
In January 2003, The Institute evolved from The GCSAA Foundation, originally established in 1955, with a new name, mission and focus. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving information collection, research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course.
Today, The Institute funds more than $1 million annually in environmental programs, including scientific research, education, information collection, outreach and scholarships.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is committed to strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with our natural environment.
By 2008 the EIG hopes to provide:
Collaboration between the golf and environmental communities will lead to programs and services beneficial to all who come in contact with the game of golf.
Golf course design, construction and management will implement environmental standards to strengthen the compatibility of golf and the environment.
The environmental, recreational and economic aspects of golf courses will be enhanced for their communities.
The Environmental Institute for Golf offers a ton of great resources, click on the topics below for an amazing collection of Case Studies, Research Papers and Advertisements:
While submersed in the walls of a golf course, you couldn't feel further away from the concrete jungle when you witness a Blue Heron strike a small fish and watch as it gulps down lunch. While supporting habitat needs has become a secondary function of our golf courses (along with carbon sequestering, heat-island sinks, storm water management, etc...) maintaining these functions has become a primary focuses. One of the basic elements that contributes to overall ecosystem health is of course water quality. Once superintendents have employed techniques to protect, preserve and improve water quality, the next step is to encourage wildlife.
