Golf
“There are now ten hectares of our course that have received the Biological Heritage Site designation from the local authority”
Heathland habitat showing abundant bilberry and heather
eighteen boxes erected, with a total of at least seventy birds reared from ten of them during 2010 and 2011. Little Owls have also bred successfully for a number of years now in a cavity of the clubhouse, cheering those up who are lucky enough to see them during the early morning. Add to the above a comprehensive pond management scheme, gorse planting scheme, himalayan balsam control, log pile creation, grass clipping management and a bat box scheme, amongst others, and we have a complete management plan that recognises the need to think about the ecology on our course.
Common Spotted Orchid now predominate in some areas of our long rough
This is all documented and planned for in a full ecological appraisal I wrote for the club which asked the questions; what do we have at the club in terms of wildlife habitats? And what do we have to do in order to preserve or enhance these areas? So, if you are thinking of going down the environmental road in your future greenkeeping career, then I think you’re
half way there if you can answer these two questions. Recognising the importance of some of the habitats we have, I also worked with Lancashire County Council to achieve the official title of Lancashire Heritage Site/Biological Heritage Site (BHS). There are now ten hectares of our course that have received this designation, whereby management regimes described above have been initiated. Local authorities are required to identify and provide for the protection and enhancement of the natural heritage within their areas and so promote the BHS scheme. As part of their planning function, they have a responsibility to take account of sites of significant nature conservation value.
All of the above has helped me gain this fantastic award, but I wish to thank a few individuals who have made this possible. Firstly, thanks must go to our Head Greenkeeper, Chris Westwood, who really helped to get the ball rolling by
Heather regeneration along the boundary of our course 30 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
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