Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Launches Creative Recycling Effort – “Grease for Greens” brings biodiesel fuel to course golf course first began, the City of Arlington chose to build according to the requirements of Audubon International’s Signature Sanctuary Program because of its strong focus on preserving and improving wildlife habitat, protecting water quality, reducing chemical use, incorporating recycling, and requirements for ongoing education and outreach to the public. Tierra Verde is always coming up with innovative ways to meet these goals, like their “Grease Audubon International Signature Sanctuaries undergo recertififor Greens” program. cation site visits with AI staff every three years, this photo was The endeavor started taken during Tierra Verde Golf Club’s 2019 site visit with an effort to keep grease out of kitchen Unfortunately, creating biodiesel drains and turned into an environthat is not as simple as just pouring used mental benefit that also saves money “everything is bigger in Texas,” one cooking oil into the tank of the machinby reducing fuel costs. Today, the club particular Texas golf club is having ery! According to Arlington Parks and is collecting used cooking oil from the great success making its environmental Recreation Department, the used cookcommunity including its own restaufootprint smaller. Tierra Verde Golf Club ing oil goes through a 30-hour process, rant and converts it to biodiesel fuel for continues making significant headway to strip the glycerin from it before its maintenance machines. For every 40 in eliminating unnecessary waste since the remnants are washed with water, gallons of used oil collected, the club achieving Bronze Certification as an dried, and then, combined with diesel. generates 30 gallons of biodiesel. Audubon International Signature SancOnce these steps are complete, Tierra According to the U.S. Department of tuary in 2000. Verde is left with the finished product, Energy, this biodegradable fuel reduces Tierra Verde is an 18-hole public, biodiesel. emissions, and offers greater greenmunicipal golf course located in ArlingTierra Verde Golf Club’s environmenhouse gas benefits than traditional ton, Texas, on the outskirts of Dallas. tal efforts don’t cease at the “Grease diesel fuel. When discussion around developing a for Greens” program. The club also recycled 800 pounds of aluminum and 1800 pounds of plastic and other Numerous wildlife species can be observed on golf materials in 2019. Other environmental courses due to the excellent wildlife habitat they provide, like this bobcat at Tierra Verde Golf Club projects at this Signature Sanctuary (photo credit: Tierra Verde Golf Club) include composting grass clippings, informational signs about local wildlife, and joining Audubon International’s Monarchs in the Rough program, an initiative to plant native milkweed and wildflower seed on golf courses to promote pollinator awareness and create monarch butterfly habitat. Audubon International’s environmental certifications are helping numerous golf courses make significant strides in reducing their environmental footprint. Tierra Verde Golf Club is an excellent example of how it is possible to do this every day - in all the areas where we live, work, and play.
Despite the common thought
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Golf Central • Volume 20, Issue 10
