Monarchs in the Rough on golf courses

The Monarchs in the Rough program provides golf course managers with regionally-appropriate milkweed and wildflower seeds to convert one acre of land into pollinator habitat. Reduced management in the forms of water, fertilizer and pesticide applications helps maintain habitat quality while also reducing costs for venues owners and operators. Golfers enjoy experiencing natural habitats, particularly when signage is provided to explain the benefits of alternative management actions for wildlife, as well as materials signalling the importance a course places on sustainability and biodiversity protection, can have reputational benefits. The United States Golf Association collects and publishes positive examples and best practice guidelines for managers that help them take appropriate actions and avoid problems encountered by other managers when implementing changes to support nature. Audubon International informs scientific guidelines and recognises success by designating golf courses Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, if they meet a set of environmental management criteria. Certification can come with economic benefits: research has found a price premium for golf courses certified as wildlife sanctuaries.