A recent survey of members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) reveals that voluntary environmental actions on golf courses are indeed leading to enhanced water quality management and water conservation. The program, now celebrating its 20th Anniversary, is designed to help golf professionals manage their natural resources better, yielding positive environmental, economic, and social result. An emphasis on water protection and management is at the heart of the award-winning program.
The survey of the 2,000-plus members of the ACSP was conducted in late 2010, with over 25% of the program members responding to the survey. "Many of our members expressed concern about water restrictions and regulations," states ACSP Director, Joellen Lampman, "and appreciation that the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses helps them promote their efforts and keep ahead of the issues."
Improvements made to water management practices as a result of ACSP involvement include the following:
- Reducing Irrigated Acreage: 50% respondents have removed irrigated turfgrass. An average of 18 acres of irrigated turfgrass per golf course was removed.
- Improving Irrigation Systems: 68% have improved their irrigation system.
- Enhancing runoff filtering: 89% have increased mowing heights along the water's edge to slow and filter runoff.
- Targeting fertilizer applications: 61% have increased the amount of acres where fertilizers are applied by spoon-feeding.
- Reducing Risk: 91% have implemented primary and secondary spill containment systems within their maintenance facility.
- Saving Money: 51% of respondents reduced water costs since joining with an additional 25% unsure as to whether there were savings or not (due to a lack of adequate information).
While the ACSP covers everything from wildlife habitat management to risk reduction, water quality management and water conservation continues to be one of the most important elements of the program. Vincent Dodge at The Wilderness Golf Course at Fortune Bay Resort, MN values the broad scope of the program. "The strongest part of the certification process is its structure and documentation requirements," according to Dodge. "I know that by going through the certification process that it forced us to take a very detailed look at our processes in the areas of integrated pest management, water conservation, water quality and its monitoring, wildlife habitat enhancement, and most importantly how we are letting the public know about the efforts we are undertaking."
"Everyone in the golf business knows that water is one of the most critical issues impacting the game-not using too much and making sure quality is protected," states Kevin A. Fletcher, Ph.D., Executive Director for Audubon International. "It's satisfying to know that our educational approach and programs are helping people do just that on golf courses around the world. The golf courses and the professionals managing them should be proud."