Focus Areas

Collaboration is vital to the success of The Environmental Institute for Golf (The Institute). Over the last three years, The Institute has embarked on a collective mission to advance environmental stewardship and strengthen the compatibility of the game of golf with the environment. The Institute has engaged more than 100 volunteers representing environmental, regulatory and golf organizations as part of the GCSAA Environmental Programs Committee (EPC) and issue specific task and advisory groups in the following five focus areas:

• Water Management
• Integrated Plant Management
• Wildlife and Habitat Management
• Energy and Waste Management
• Golf Course Siting, Design and Construction

EPC and issue-specific groups

The EPC provides perspective, insight and recommendations regarding the strategic vision, direction and execution of the association’s environmental programs to ensure they are consistent with the vision of The Institute. The task groups and advisory panels are aligned under the EPC and develop specific goals, identify best management practices and develop tools to ensure measurable progress in each of the five focus areas. View a list of the 2007 Environmental Programs Committee Members.

During 2004 and 2005, task groups met to clarify environmental issues, develop long-term goals and recommend programs and projects for the future. The recommendations from the groups were:

• Develop environmental goals with measurable targets to document progress
• Compile baseline data on the natural resources found on golf course properties
• Continue to develop a broad range of environmentally based information resources and education programs