10 - POLLINATOR PROTECTION & WILDLIFE HABITAT
With so many urban areas in the state and an increasing population, golf courses are integral to providing natural habitats, such as ponds, trees, and flowers, for pollinators and other wildlife.
Regulatory Considerations
Pollinator protection language is a label requirement found on pesticide labels and must be followed; it is the law!
Pesticide applicators must be aware of honeybee toxicity groups and be able to understand precautionary statements
Recordkeeping, as required by Texas law, should be maintained in order to refer to in the future and follow the best course of action with future applications if necessary, reference IPM BMPs section for additional information
Applicators of pesticides should be mindful of applications and their effects on the target and any others that may be compromised
Reference Texas Endangered and Threatened Species: · https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/nongame/listed-species/
Reference Texas Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species by County: https://tpwd.texas.gov/gis/rtest/
The Texas Apiary Inspection Service is a state agency to safeguard the apiary industry, which operates under the authority of Section 131 of the Texas Agricultural Code. The inspection service is administered under AgriLife Research, a part of the Texas A&M university system: https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/
Pollinators like honeybees, hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies help encourage the growth of native Texas crops–such as blueberries, squash, melons, and tomatoes.
Pollinator Protection
To reproduce and to grow more fruit, many flowering plants depend on pollination. The wind assists in spreading pollen, but insects and other animals play a larger role in this process. Population growth and increasing urban development can impact availability of natural habitats. Pollinators needs native plant habitats to thrive. If there is a significant decline in pollinators, it could place a financial burden on the state’s agriculture industry. Honeybees alone pollinate Texas crops valued at more than $587 million each year. As more native plants are planted in Texas, more pollinators will survive, increasing the level of crops produced and helping the state’s economy. Pollinators in Texas include bees, bats, hummingbirds, butterflies, beetles, and moths.
Best Management Practices
Follow label instructions when applying pesticides to avoid application when plants are in bloom.
Follow IPM BMPs.
Consider lures, baits, and pheromones as an alternative to pesticides for pest management.
Mow flowering plants before pesticide applications to remove blooms.
Consider manual removal of weeds or spot treatment in pollinator habitat areas.
Use the latest spray technologies such as drift-reduction nozzles to prevent off target application.
Apply during times of little or no wind in order for more accurate placement of pesticide.
Avoid applications during low temperatures and when dew or temperature inversion is forecasted.
Plant flowers with varying characteristics like color, shapes, sizes, flowering times, and growth habits.
Mow natural areas 1x per year late in season when plants are going dormant in order to control growth of woody ornamentals and other undesirable plants to minimize effects on pollinators.
Limit use of granular pesticides that can be mistaken for pollen.
Develop relations with local beekeepers and pollinator associations to become connected with local education events.
Consider setting up hives within a natural area of the golf course that can be maintained by an interested staff member or person within the community.
Attend workshops and online seminars to learn more about pollinators and steps to protect them.
Invite local schools, garden clubs, master gardeners, etc. to visit the facility to demonstrate the steps taken to protect pollinators.
Texas Pollinator Plants
• Crape myrtle
• Texas redbud
• Live oak
• Coralbean
• Buttonbush
• Coralberry
• Red yucca
• Bee balm
• Texas lantana
• Butterfly milkweed
• Fennel
• Virginia creeper
Pollinator Habitat Protection and Enhancement
As the size of rural areas dwindle, pollinators accustomed to living in natural landscapes find it more difficult to survive. Golf courses can help mitigate these effects by including habitats for pollinators in non-play areas and protecting migratory corridors. It is important to pay attention to where pesticides are applied, making sure not to get it too close to these plants. Pollinators like diversity in plants, so it is best to mimic the plants found in natural areas. It’s helpful to understand colors, odors, and variety of plants that encourage pollinators.
Other ways to encourage pollination include:
Providing nectar sources with pollinator gardens
Ensuring there are flowers blooming in every season
Providing shelter, such as open patches of soil, old wood, branches, and leaves
Protecting plants from cold weather
Making sure plants are getting enough water
Examples of plants native to Texas:
https://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=Organization_1561
Additional pollinators information:
Wildlife Habitats
Texas is home to more than 142 different species of animals. Nearly 100 plant and animal species in Texas are considered endangered, and many more are threatened or protected. This typically occurs due to loss of habitat when rural areas are turned into suburbs and cities. Some of the state’s larger endangered species rely on large swaths of open land, but these expanses are declining. Golf course habitats featuring trees, flowers, lakes, ponds, and grasslands provide homes for many endangered species, including birds, fish, and foxes. Loss of habitat is the primary reason for a species becoming endangered. Some endangered animals in Texas include the ocelot, Houston toad, Kemps ridley sea turtle, and golden-cheeked warbler.
Best Management Practices
Develop relations with Texas Parks and Wildlife
Understand whether the property is an existing or potential habitat for endangered species
Develop a management plan and objectives
Retain existing vegetation when possible and plant native vegetation
Use “xeriscape” landscaping and native drought tolerant plants where feasible
Educate staff, members/guests, and community
Use social media and local news outlets to educate golfers and the general public on steps taken to promote wildlife habitats
Invite local schools, garden clubs, master gardeners, etc. to visit the facility to demonstrate the steps taken to promote habitats
Participate in Texas Audubon https://tx.audubon.org/,, or similar, bird counts or host bird-watching tours for guests
Get involved with Audubon International https://auduboninternational.org/acsp-for-golf/
Examples of Texas Wildlife
Mammals
Badger
Black bear
Bobcat
Common Raccoon
Coyote
Desert Cottontail
Eastern Red Bat
Elk
Gray Wolf
Mountain Lion
Ocelot
Palo Duro Mouse
River Otter
Striped Skunk
Texas Kangaroo Rat
Virginia Opossum
Birds
American Peregrine Falcon
Bald Eagle
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Blue Jay
Burrowing Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Bluebird
Inca Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Mockingbird
Pine Warbler
Red-shouldered Hawk
Whooping Crane
Amphibians
Barred Tiger Salamander
Houston Toad
Southern Leopard Frog
Fish
Blue Catfish
Common Carp
Fathead Minnow
Green Sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Rainbow Trout
Red Snapper
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Seatrout
Walleye
White Bass
Yellow Bass
Invertebrates
Blue Crab
Eastern Oyster
Fiddler Crab
Gulf Stone Crab
Reptiles
American alligator
Bullsnake
Green Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Louisiana Pine Snake
Northern Earless Lizard
Red-eared Slider
Southern Copperhead
Texas Horned Lizard
Texas Tortoise
Timber Rattlesnake
Western Cottonmouth
Reference for additional information: : https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/
Texas golf courses provide the necessary living spaces for many different types of wildlife, from bats to alligators to bobcats. Ponds, lakes, streams, and designated wetlands allow for frogs, toads, turtles, and fish to survive, while native landscape and natural grasslands allow for birds and mammals to find shelter and food. Forested buffers along golf course streams and wetland areas provide sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife, while protecting water quality. When riparian buffers connect isolated blocks of habitat, they also serve as important travel corridors. Natural vegetation should be retained and enhanced through supplemental planting of native trees, shrubs, and grasses in non-play areas.
References for additional information:
https://ballotpedia.org/Endangered_species_in_Texas#Listed_species
Education
Train the crew on identifying endangered species and educate members and guests through newsletters, meetings, and signage. Section off habitat areas so that nesting wildlife is left undisturbed. Plan and implement a public awareness program to increase landowner and land manager knowledge of wildlife needs.
External Certification Programs & Standards
Environmental management programs, health and wellness platforms, and environmentally-friendly building design can help courses protect the environment and promote community relations. These programs can help enhance natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide and improve efficiencies. Obtaining certifications and adhering to standards can enhance community, member/guest, employee, and civic relations.
Certifications and internationally-recognized frameworks that golf courses and clubs can pursue range from environmentally-focused programs to certifications related to health and wellness. Establish a communications plan to educate members/guests and the community.
Reference GCSAA Environmental Institute of Golf for more information: https://www.eifg.org/
External Certifications and Frameworks
Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, Signature, and Sustainable Communities Programs https://www.auduboninternational.org/
US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) https://new.usgbc.org/leed
Global Reporting Initiative GRI Standards https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/
Blue Zones Project https://www.bluezonesproject.com/
B Corp Certification https://bcorporation.net/certification
Sustainable Development Goals https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs
