Operation Pollinator

Several years ago, Club Green Meadows in Vancouver, Washington decided to add natural grass areas to places that were difficult and time consuming to mow. A few of the areas were in play, but many were placed strategically between greens and tee boxes. The result was patches of long grass that browned during the summer.

“We only mow the natural areas once a year,” said Superintendent Peter Goodling. “I thought it would be a good idea to add a little color and, at the same time, help give bees an improved habitat.”

The decision was made to enroll in Operation Pollinator.

The Operation Pollinator initiative was developed 15 years ago by Syngenta, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agronomic systems for the golf industry. Participating courses can purchase specially selected wildflowers designed to attract a variety of pollinators and provide habitat for small mammals and birds.

“Most of the time, people think the habitat is only for bees,” said Syngenta Territory Manager Randy Rider. “But these plantings are also meant to attract butterflies and other natural pollinators.”

With the bee population declining throughout the world and especially in the United States, it’s a good thing that Club Green Meadows isn’t alone in this endeavour. According to Rider, it’s hard to get an exact count on the number of Northwest courses participating. There are facilities that plant flowers and post signs, but many simply develop the habitat and then maintain them.

“This is something that courses could really promote, but many of them are simply being good stewards of the environment and giving back to their local community,” added Rider.

Encourage your course to join

If your local golf course or club isn’t already participating, take a few minutes to talk with your head professional or greenskeeper and let them know that you’d like to see more wildflowers on the course and more safe places for bees to live.