While golf courses by their very nature are green, The Wilderness in Lake Jackson is looking a little greener, environmentally speaking.
The Wilderness has achieved a Level 1 certification in KemperSports’ Green to a Tee environmental initiative.
KemperSports, father company of The Wilderness, created the program at the beginning of the year to encourage all of its golf courses to be environmentally safe and supportive, said Kit Thomson, general manager of the course.
The course has instituted a recycling program and changed light bulbs to energy-saving ones, Thomson said.
Officials there also started an integrated pest management system, said Blayne Sparks, golf course superintendent. When pests are found, the management applies pesticides to the specific location instead of blanket applications, he said.
Organic fertilizers now are used, as well, Sparks said.
There remain areas for animals and birds throughout the golf course, Thomson said.
“We’ve always been environmentally sensitive and friendly,” Sparks said.
From the beginning, the city and the golf course have been concerned about protecting the environment, Mayor Bob Sipple said.
The course was certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2007, Thomson said. This program helps a golf course enhance the natural areas and wildlife habitats, improve efficiency and minimize the potentially harmful effects of golf course operations.
The golf course is near some environmentally sensitive wetlands which were off-limits to construction.