"Backyard Habitat" comes full circle at Bellevue Golf Course, aka "Bellevue Muni" among locals, where the course serves both avid golfers and the environment, strengthening the community and preserving the sport. As an avid enthusiast of backyard habitats, news of Bellevue Muni caught my particular attention, especially as my husband and ActiveRain's Jon Washburn, ActiveRain's Bob Stewart, and MTG's Tyson Knavelsrud regularly play there.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses is an opt-in program. Receiving certification requires passing stringent tests, and the public course at 5500 140th Avenue NE, managed by Premier Golf Centers, is a stellar recipient.
Ponds are protected by a buffer, with cart paths steered away from them. Native plantings replace invasive blackberry and ivy. Brush piles and feeder boxes foster safe breeding grounds for local birds.
Although not the first course to go this route (Bellevue GC is the eleventh course in the state to win certification, Bellevue's Glendale Country Club gained certification in 1998), the move toward greater environmental responsibility challenges the notion of "business is business".
To Bellevue City Council, "business as usual" means making the world a better place, and what better place to start than at home. With a rich tradition of stewardship, Bellevue passed numerous resolutions last year including reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions, further implementation of green building practices, and measures such as promoting greater rainfall absorption into the ground through open spaces and permeable sidewalks/asphalt.
Kudos to both Bellevue Golf Course, and our exceptional City Council. Keep up the good work!
Bellevue City Council Press Release
Steps you can take: Become a Green Golfer and support your local golf course in becoming green.
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Sara, I think that's a beautiful idea. We have a beautiful golf course here with nature trails, hiking and many other activities but it's not a sanctuary. I would love to see them do it here.
Hi Carole!
I was pleasantly surprised myself when I learned golf courses could go this route! I think it's superb. Are you sure your course isn't a wildlife sanctuary? I played on Glendale with my husband for years and never knew it was a sanctuary! Certainly it doesn't mention it anywhere on their website... or on BGC's... I really like the idea of a course interweaving nature trails into its design.
I know a few of ours have to be....much wildlife as well as preservation land here. My mom is an avid golfer (at 80 years old) and she plays all over Oahu with rolling hills, cliffs, streams and such. Now look...I have to go check this out now. :)