An average golf course ranges in size between 100 to 190 acres. With 14,000 golf courses in the United States alone, that is a lot of nature to have a potential impact on. Golf courses have the opportunity to make a positive impact within their communities by providing shelter to wildlife, supporting native wildlife and plants, promoting positive stewardship to the public, and more. However, we understand that a lot of those things require additional time and resources that are not always feasible within a course’s budget. That’s exactly why The FairWays Foundation was created. The foundation will fund conservation projects and activities that impact communities within the turf industry for the better. Some examples of this are conservation-based projects, community education, and the enhancement of environmental stewardship practices.
Conservation-based Projects
These projects can be described as work that would conserve or safeguard the environment and natural resources on your course or within your community. Please note that course-based projects that would be considered capital improvements to the course are excluded from funding.
Examples of Conservation-based-Projects:
- Pollinator Gardens
- Wildlife and Habitat Management
- Bird Boxes
- Duck Houses
- Bug Houses
- Composting Vegetative Waste
Community Education
An important part of safeguarding the environment is educating others on how and why they should do so. Golf courses are full of learning opportunities for this and we want to help provide the resources you need in order to spread your environmental knowledge around your course and community.
Examples of Community Education:
- Monitoring Nest Boxes with a Local Scouting Group
- Environmental Workshops at Your Local School or Library
- Engaging Members in an Ongoing Wildlife Species Inventory
Environmental Stewardship Practices
The large footprint of a golf course helps to maintain green spaces for native flora and fauna, and offers incredible potential for positive environmental impact. While regular maintenance practices may be implemented in an environmentally conscious manner, we know that other beneficial projects may fall beyond the scope of what the annual budget would allow. The FairWays Foundation can help provide funds to implement projects and practices that promote greater environmental stewardship.
Examples of Environmental Stewardship Projects:
- Installing Natural Buffer Strips Near Waterways
- Management of Native Negation
- Heather Management
- Creating Rain Garden Wash Pad Area
- Creating/Maintaining Wildlife Corridors
The above are just a few examples of what The FairWays Foundation is seeking to fund. All are welcome to submit grant applications for projects that fall within these over-arching categories during our grant submission period which opens annually between February 1 and April 30. Questions or concerns regarding the foundation or how to apply for grants can be directed to the foundation team at [email protected].
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