Pollinator Conservation: Parks and Golf Courses

According to the Xerces Society, parks and golf courses can play important roles in regard to the conservation of our native pollinators.

In a time when urban and suburban areas are spreading rapidly and wild spaces are quickly disappearing, golf courses, parks and other greenspaces are increasingly important to the vitality of our communities. At the most basic level, healthy parks mean healthy people and healthy communities. At the core of a healthy environment are pollinators-animals that move pollen among flowers, thus ensuring that the plants can form seeds and fruits.

Pollinator conservation is perfectly suited for parks and golf courses. The basic habitat needs for pollinator insects are simple to provide and can be integrated into the current maintenance of any greenspace, from expansive rural golf courses courses to compact urban parks. Pollinators will not only keep plants healthy-which in turn provides homes and food for other wildlife-but sustainable populations of these animals will also benefit nearby natural areas and neighboring gardens or farms.

We recommend a three-step approach to conserving pollinators in parks and golf courses.
■Recognize the native pollinators and their habitat that are already on your site
■Adjust existing land management practices to avoid causing undue harm to the pollinators already present
■Enhance, restore, or create habitat for native bees and butterflies