Golf courses can now sign up to join the Syngenta Operation Pollinator initiative quickly and easily, with an instant on-line form. Over 100 golf courses across the UK have already joined Operation Pollinator – helping to demonstrate the positive actions of the greenkeeping
community, and their clubs, to make courses more attractive to pollinators and players alike.
The initiative encourages the use of rough and out-of-play areas of the course to create habitats attractive for pollinators and other biodiversity and establishing important ecological assets.
Glenn Kirby, Syngenta Turf Technical Manager, enthused that it’s a fantastic good news story that, collectively, creates a powerful message to shout about the good golf courses do for the environment.
“Operation Pollinator recognises that every course and situation is different. It provides tips and guidance to help, where it’s applicable to your course and situation; but there is no prescriptive management practices.”
He highlighted that most courses are already undertaking practices that meets Operation Pollinator objectives. “It simply asks that you manage rough and out of play areas in a way that encourages wildflower food resources and habitat for pollinators to breed and overwinter,” Glenn added.
By joining Operation Pollinator there are a wealth of resources to help communicate what you are doing – to players within the club and to the local community as a positive message of your activities. It also have the chance to meet and share experiences with other like-minded greenkeepers and get tips for what works in similar situations.
Paul Worster, Golf Courses Manager, at Minchinhampton Golf Club in Gloucestershire, is a strong advocate and champion of the Operation Pollinator initiative.
“Operation Pollinator demonstrates to players, public and regulators that the golf industry is an outstanding beneficial environmental asset – and that it is voluntarily contributing a huge amount to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity across the UK.”
He urges greenkeepers to be proud of what they have already achieved, and how they can further enhance the ecological value of courses in the future.
Sign up to Operation Pollinator here
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