Why?
1. Part of the Blank
Family of Businesses’ Core Values to: 1) provide guests with an exceptional
experience, 2) manage the ranch property in a sustained and responsible manner,
and 3) give back to the community.
2. Measure our
management focus and goals through the experience of Audubon International and
other experts to improve our overall course management.
Achieving certification under the Audubon
International Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses involved six
specific steps:
Step 1. Environmental Planning.
Undertaking a process to evaluate, plan, and document current
management practices and develop a plan of action to guide our golf course
management and stewardship efforts against the Audubon International Standards
as set forth in Steps 2-6.
Step
2. Wildlife and Habitat Management
Demonstrate
how the golf course protects, enhances, and sustains native habitats and the
wildlife that depend on them. Specific tasks including mapping of habitats
within the course management area, and completing an inventory of plants and
animals. Habitat enhancements including promoting re-establishment of native
vegetation adjacent to play areas, noxious weed management, and no-spray zones
near riparian and water features. Wildlife enhancements included erection of nesting
boxes for kestrel
and Mountain bluebirds, bat houses, and brush piles.
Step
3. Chemical Use Reduction and Safety
Document
how we: a) ensure safe storage, handling, and application of chemicals to
reduce potential environmental contamination, b) continually expand our
knowledge of integrated pest management, chemical use issues, best management
practices, and alternative pest control methods, and c) ensure that staff are
properly trained and supervised when handling and applying chemicals.
Step
4. Water Conservation
The
process required that chronicle how we maintain irrigation equipment for
maximum efficiency and minimal water waste, ensure adequate water supplies for
healthy ecological functioning of adjacent water bodies, and demonstrate a
commitment to judicious water use. Two specific water conservation examples:
·
Reduced
irrigated acres by 17% from original course design by increased use of part
circles to create hard edge along rough and play surfaces, and by reducing turf
area, and associated water use, by isolating back tees on four holes, allowing
area immediately around back tees to revert to native vegetation.
·
Continue
to aim to replace 85% of ET rates, rather than 100%, to conserve additional
water.
Step
5. Water Quality Management
The
certification process required us to outline how we work to protect the health
and integrity of water supplies, and how we employ best management practices
near all water bodies to eliminate the potential for chemical runoff, nutrient
loading, erosion, and drift. The use of no-spray zones, dedicated wash pads,
and an ongoing water monitoring effort are three examples of work to protect
the health of water features, and detect any changes to water quality.
Step
6. Outreach and Education
The
final criteria for certification required demonstration of how we are ensuring
ongoing support and information exchange for stewardship initiatives,
strengthen local community connections, and undertaking new conservation
activities. Specific examples included establishing partnerships with Sacajawea
Audubon for wildlife improvements, engaging Montana Weed Control Association in
deployment of best weed management practices, and actively engaging the
community as part of the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund, where we provide rounds
of golf to area nonprofits for their fundraisers and select three groups
annually to utilize the Rising Sun course for fundraising tournaments.
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