31 May 2022
Is enough being done to protect our living landscapes?
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is ‘Only One Earth’.
Home to humanity, a biosphere for all biodiversity.
Our planet comprises a multitude of living landscapes in and around towns and cities, along coastlines, and out into rural fields and forests. Spaces for people and nature, and the playing field for 66 million golfers globally.
This is land that, in many ways, is already well stewarded. Clubs and their course managers are predisposed to stable, long term protection of greenspace, including:
While there are hundreds of great examples of sustainable golf in action globally, there’s no time for golf to ease its foot off the accelerator.
So, it’s not just a question of whether enough is being done to protect our living landscapes, but also, is it happening as quickly as it should be?
How golf can raise its game
“Whether it is in the surf, on the turf, or played in cities or mountains, sport is both deeply dependent and deeply connected to nature,” says Sam Barratt, Chief, Youth, Education & Advocacy at UNEP. “Without a healthy planet, there is no viable playing field for sport.”
“It starts with awareness as without knowledge nothing will change. So the more we can all do to educate and inform, the stronger the power to act will be. And the spectrum for this is broad ranging from restoring nature to the sporting landscape, setting targets and ambition for action within the club to working with the whole community to play their part.
“The scope for action in golf is huge given the vast scale of natural landscape that hosts this game. The health and natural wealth of the landscapes, fairways and rough that the sport uses have to be kept in balance with the local ecosystem. A climate scarred and nature starved planet will not serve sport well.”
Speeding up the pace of play
If more golf facilities, developments and tournaments embrace action at pace, golf can play an even greater role in ensuring the living landscapes we’ve grown up enjoying are still there for our children and grandchildren.
“The natural world is inspirational and indispensable,” says Jonathan Smith, Executive Director at GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. “Trends show that we can’t be complacent about the health or quality of the environment.
“We need to look towards golfing landscapes being refuges - rich in habitats and wildlife. Restorative for biodiversity, and the physical and emotional wellbeing of those that play.”
Here are six ways golf can do more collectively to enhance its reputation, protect our ecosystems and biodiversity, and become a responsible sport that inspires others to challenge the current state of play.
Find more spaces for nature
Look for all possible ways to reduce mowing and allow grasslands and scrub the chance to regenerate.
Improve habitats
Plant native species, remove non-native species and follow best conservation practices for managing vegetation.
Seek out local expertise
Collaborating with wildlife groups or ecologists can help foster nature on your course and is a good way to better understand the potential of your site.
Conserve key species
Know which wildlife, flora and fauna call your course home. Even a basic biodiversity survey helps you understand what wildlife you have and what your priorities are.
Be careful
Try to minimize disturbance and make sure you manage all potential pollution risks.
Inform and inspire others
Promote your biodiversity, share your conservation highlights and encourage others to play their part wherever possible.
You can join the community by following Sustainable Golf on social media, be inspired by over 1,000 ideas and success stories from the Sustainable Golf Highlights Hub, and by joining OnCourse to review and communicate your own sustainability practices.
There is Only One Earth. Our Earth.
