Project: Enhancing the Ecological Value of Golf Courses

Client: Manawatu and Levin Golf Clubs

Timeframe: January 2013

SSDM was engaged by two golf courses in the lower North Island (Levin Golf Club and Manawatu Golf Club) to carry out an Ecological Appraisal of their golf courses.

The process involved a course visit that addressed the following key areas:

1. Identifying existing golf course habitats
2. Providing information regarding the condition of  existing habitats
3. Providing recommendations on how best to enhance the ecological value of existing  habitats
4. Providing recommendations on how to best enhance the ecological value of the golf course through the creation of new habitats
5. Providing details of applicable funding resources to assist in the implementation of future ecological  projects

The Ecological Apprasial provides assistance in addressing the ecological management of the golf course. The process involves:

• A two hour  course visit which considers each indivdual hole 
• Identifying all existing habitat areas and potential habitat areas on a course plan
• Liasion with club representatives to ensure the  report addresses their specific requirements
• Provision of  a brief report to the club that provides all relevant ecological information

At Levin Golf Club the focus was on identifying areas of ecological value (existing and potential) and providing details of applicable resources for funding to assist with the proposed future habitat enhancements to the golf course.

At Manawatu Golf Club the focus was on identifying opportunities to extend and enhance the numerous existing plantations throughout the course and how best to connect these with wider wildlife corridors and the surrounding suburban landscape.

Carrying out an Ecological Appraisal of the golf course should be viewed as the first step in making a commitment  towards gaining a better understanding of the existing ecological value of the golf course and how this can be appropriately enhanced in the future.