As a demonstration of IGM's commitment to the environment, our
team is seeks to establish each of the properties we serve as an Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuary. IGM is a Charter Member of Audubon’s Conservation
Country Club and has committed and maintained 100% participation of all its
courses in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP).
To date, IGM has completed certification of 13 courses across the country. One of IGM's certified courses, Widow's Walk Golf Course,
is an environmental research center built to assess the impact of golf course
maintenance practices on the environment.
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| Naturalized or native area |
There
are five basic steps for completing the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program’s
process - analysis, documentation, implementation, evaluation and revision.
Analysis
The golf course
environmental assessment is the initial step in the process of creating an
ecosystem-based Golf Course Management Plan. Properly completing the assessment
is paramount to the long-term compatibility of a property’s golf course
management practices with the Golf Course Environmental Management Program’s
goals and objectives.
Through
constant monitoring and updating documentation, the golf course will remain in
compliance beyond the regular restrictions put in place by regulatory agencies
and Audubon International.
Documentation
It is not enough to know
the keys to a successful golf course management program. There must be a
written record of existing site data, opportunities, constraints and historical
maintenance practices that documents where we have been as well as assists in
helping us choose where we need to go. The Program consists both of a report
and an outline that maps the daily management of the course according to the
environmental stewardship goals set by the IGM and Audubon International. The
report and outline also provide a convenient method to help educate and involve
the course's customers and the community.
Implementation
Action is really the only
true measure of success in a solid Golf Course Environmental Management
Program. By implementing new practices, whether to knowingly improve the
course's role in the environmental stewardship or just trying new ideas to
determine their value, will not only benefit the good manager, but also the
image of the property and the ability to market the course in such a manner.
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Dead
tree was topped but left standing to provide
habitat for woodpeckers
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With
proper environmental management, the course has a great opportunity to use this
attention to draw exposure and positive press to the course. IGM has had great exposure for caring for the
environment both on and off the golf course. The implementation of a proper
Golf Course Environmental Management Program can be a key differentiation point
to set your golf course above its competition.
Evaluation
In order to ensure the
highest quality of customer service, the IGM staff conducts continual
internal-evaluation and improvement research at the course level. There will be on-going measurement of the
environmental impact the management programs have on the course. For example,
documenting the reduced use of inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and
irrigation can be used to demonstrate the overall value of the Program. This
can be easily accomplished by regularly evaluating our maintenance methods,
practices, and management approaches to day-to-day issues.
Revision
The very nature of a
superior program implies that all documents be regularly updated and maintained
to represent the most current conditions. IGM’s golf course managers and superintendents
should be constantly looking for ways to improve their processes. Acting on
lessons learned is right behind initial implementation as the most important
aspect of a successful Program. The plan should be completely updated at least
every two years.
Highlights
& Successes
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Underbrush
left where possible to provide cover for wildlife
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Our successes are measured
almost daily by our team in many ways. Some of the accomplishments that we are
most proud of:
- Complete participation of all maintained properties in ACSP
- Assisted in ACSP certification of 13 courses
- An additional 18 courses are nearing ACSP certification with all others working towards that goal
- Team members have received dozens of awards and recognition for Environmental Planning and Environmental Stewardship
- Meadowbrook/IGM CEO Mr.
Our efforts are collaborative with our clients and
represent our desire to go above and beyond standard maintenance practices to
get results - this results in sustainability.
