Protecting Wildlife Habitats

As golf course superintendents create new wildlife habitats on golf courses it is extremely important that these areas be protected from human interference. Human interference will generally result from golfers or maintenance staff entering into the area and causing damage from simple foot traffic.

There are several ways in which golfers can be prevented from entering into wildlife habitats that need to be protected. Probably the easiest and least expensive although least effective method would be simply telling golfers where the habitats are and asking them to stay away. This message can be verbally communicated or shown on the scorecard. The problem however is when their golf ball enters into the area and they feel it is their right to go after and play the ball "where it lies."

Convincing a golfer who has spent their hard earned money to play golf that they cannot enter into an area because it is protected for wildlife can be easier said than done. There should be physical barriers that protect wildlife habitats from golfer interference. These physical barriers can be in the form of fencing, tall and prickly shrubs or bushes or some other object that will make entrance into the habitat difficult.

Along with a physical barrier should be a sign explaining to golfers the purpose for the barrier and some information on the habitat and why it is important that the area be protected. For the superintendent who is trying to do the right thing it is all about educating people about the need for environmental protection on the golf course.

Wildlife habitats need to be protected from maintenance staff as well. Golf course employees who do not understand the need for environmental protection must be educated about the harm that can be done by not respecting the club and maintenance department rules when it comes to protecting wildlife habitats.

Maintenance staff need to be made aware of areas that are not to be mowed, fertilized, watered or interfered with in any way. Human entrance into wildlife areas can frighten the inhabitants of these areas that are looking for a place to rest, feed or live.

Possibly the greatest and most frequent maintenance staff error is the dumping of grass clippings into the banks of water bodies. Grass clippings contain many substances such as fertilizer and pesticide residues and hydrocarbons that can cause serious damage to water bodies once entered.

Clippings should be collected and stored at a compost site somewhere on the golf course. If clippings must be dumped they should be spread out on flat areas of the property and not left in a pile that can be seen. Not only will the pile be unsightly but it could also do damage to the turf that it is covering.

Creating and protecting wildlife habitats on golf courses is an important part of being environmentally responsible. Once areas have been created they will likely be utilized by wildlife as long as they are protected from human interference. We must work hard to protect environmentally sensitive areas on the golf course if we are going to prove to our detractors that golf courses are not environmental wastelands but are in fact valuable green spaces that should be respected and enjoyed by everyone and everything.