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Roughly 12 years ago, The Villages endorsed the Audubon
International’s (AI) Silver Certified Sanctuary designation
for all of their new and planned golf courses. Since that time,
315 holes of golf have been built and certified making The Villages
the world leader in this comprehensive environmental program
that promotes cooperation between development and sustainability
practices that enhance landscapes and improve water quality.
Audubon
International develops Best Management Practices (BMP’s)
for each course through a comprehensive “Natural Resource
Management Plan.” At The Villages this plan is development
by Audubon Environmental ~ an independent consultant group and
Clifton Ezell Clifton
Golf Design Group (CEC). Based on program requirements, this
plan addressed a wide variety of planning events such as watershed
drainage, wildlife protection areas, special management zones
for habitat, pesticide selections, fertilizer/nutrient recommendations,
and water quality considerations.
Clifton Ezell Clifton Golf Design Group’s Ken
Ezell has been the lead golf architect for The Villages since
1989 designing 441 holes of the existing 486 holes currently
playable throughout the development. According to Ezell, Clifton
Ezell Clifton Golf Design Group and The Villages Consultant Teams
have worked diligently with Audubon International to develop
simple yet unique construction techniques that fulfill key requirements
for garnishing this Silver Certification designation. These include
the following:
 The
Integrated Pesticide Storage Center at The Villages Maintenance
Facilities with Audubon International certification feature a
completely self contained building that houses all pesticides,
spraying equipment, filling station, and rinsate containment
tanks for excess pesticide materials. All measuring, mixing and
handling is accomplished inside this concrete block building.
‘Audubon Swales’ at
The Villages are above ground outfalls areas where golf drainage
pipes from green’s construction and fairway inlets discharge
prior to reaching any surface water area. This supplies a ‘water
treatment train’ so nutrient uptake occurs. Rock outcropping,
native grasses, and other landscape materials are installed to
accomplish this filtration while providing a pleasing visual
element.
Floating
aquatic islands were created at The Villages because the typical
littoral shelf plantings were ineffective due to the constant
raising and lowering of lakes (drainage basins) that serve as
the primary source of irrigation for 40,000 homes and boulevards.
The golf courses are irrigated primarily by highly treated wastewater
stored in separate basins. These islands developed by Steve Beeman’s
Nursery are now called ‘B-Mats’ and allow for various
aquatic plants and grasses to grow hydroponically in the deeper
water elevations of the lakes. Deep root mass development occurs
rapidly allowing nutrient removal while providing cover for fish
and above water habitat for birds, insects and an occasional
gator to hangout.
During a recent certification visit, Audubon International’s
Director Nancy Richardson observed 32 varieties of birds in addition
to the protected American bald eagle, southeastern kestrel and
burrowing owl that reside at The Villages. The Villages Master
Plan has successful integrated conservation areas and preserves
throughout the 26 square mile development to provide and protect
habitat. Richardson points out that The Villages with its 2.7
million rounds of golf played annually on both the Championship
and Executive courses, provides an excellent opportunity to expose
how golf and the environment can exist cohesively when comprehensive
environmental programs and planning are successfully implemented.
Ezell states that Clifton Ezell Clifton Golf Design
Group has completed the design on the remaining 135 holes of
golf (three 27 hole Championship courses & six 9 hole Executive
layouts) and that the opportunity to improve and enhance the
environment while enjoying great golf will be even better.
For more info about Audubon International
Signature and Classic Sanctuary Programs contact Nancy E. Richardson,
Director of Signature and Classic Programs, Audubon International,
230 Second Street, Ste. 311, Henderson, KY 42420 Phone: (270)
869-9419, E-mail: nrichardson@auduboninternational.org
or visit www.auduboninternational.org |
