June 23rd, 2009 · No Comments

From Green Right Now Reports

When it comes to employing green practices, golf courses have been pretty much buried in a sand trap. That could change, with the help of a new best practices handbook from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and LandStudies, Inc.

Golf course superintendents can now take advantage of the new Water Resources Best Management Practices Handbook to help make their courses truly green. The handbook includes a detailed description of each recommended practice, its environmental benefit, and a local example with contact information so that superintendents can learn first-hand how to install the practice. There also are links to additional online resources.

“Pennsylvania has over 800 public and private golf courses covering thousands of acres of open space, streams and ponds,” Don Welsh, president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, said in a statement. “With this Handbook, superintendents can improve water quality and watershed habitat at their courses using proven best management practices that in many cases will also lower maintenance costs.”

The handbook provides information about how the best practices, such as created or restored wetlands and natural floodplains, can generate environmental service credits, including nutrient reduction, wetland mitigation and habitat credits.

Among the techniques included are ways for capturing and mitigating storm water runoff and increasing groundwater recharge at golf courses. These storm water management practices can be integrated with local watershed management strategies in cooperation with local municipalities.

The handbook was published with financial assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Grant Program.

Related story:

Plants can help “green” golf courses