GC Hetzenhof relies on cooperation with NABU
“This could become an outpost – and that would be great” – we’re talking about the collared snapper here. The two gentlemen who are talking about the bird, which is considered an endangered animal on the Red List, are from the Lorch local group of NABU . The area they have chosen as an outpost for the collared flycatcher is the Hetzenhof golf course . 27 holes, 130 hectares in total, 26 years old. A facility that has been growing for years and focuses on a healthy mix of sport and society, of young and old. “In the end, it’s always about a holistic approach,” explains owner Heiner Mohring. Because this is the case, the factors of sustainability, nature and environmental protection are included in our daily work anyway.
Mohring, himself a forester, relies on the expertise that makes new measures possible through the cooperation with NABU Lorch. “First of all, we’re going to put up a whole row of nesting boxes that were bought here, and then we’ll take care of monitoring and cleaning,” say Rainer Graf and Simon Bischoff from the local group. Little owl gooses will be there because one would like to settle this endangered species of bird next to the collared flycatcher at the Hetzenhof and bring it to breed. “For the hoopoe, the golf course area could also be an important stepping stone.”
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For NABU Lorch and the Hetzenhof golf course, the cooperation, which has been maintained since 2020, means a win-win situation. On the one hand, the golf course brings in a large, undeveloped area with lush hedge structures, meadow orchards and biotopes that can serve as a habitat for numerous birds, other animals and plants. After all, 90 hectares are ecological compensation areas, only 60 hectares are used for games. On the other hand, the golf course operators are looking for experts who can help with their expert knowledge, especially with the sensitive structures. “In the case of the fruit trees, for example, two external employees take care of the professional pruning,” explains Mohring. “Of course, our greenkeeping staff does not have the expertise to hang up nest boxes either.” After all, you can’t expect that.
At NABU, people are positively surprised by the opportunities for nature conservation that the golf course offers. He was very skeptical at the beginning, sums up Graf, 2nd chairman of the Lorch local group. He likes the newly planted flower strips between the golf courses as well as the heaps of stones on which not only lizards feel at home. In a conversation with Mohring, it becomes clear that the topic of sustainability has an impact on many areas of the golf course. A photovoltaic system will soon be installed on the newly built large building for carts, as well as on the older house next to it. “We are definitely working on getting away from fossil materials when it comes to energy,” summarizes Mohring.
But the next big project concerns water management . The permit for the construction of a large water reservoir has already been granted. The pond, which is located in a transition area between two golf courses and will be built next year, is to hold 35,000 to 40,000 m³ of water. In order to keep evaporation as low as possible and to achieve maximum storage capacity, the depth is eight meters, and a planted mound of earth will surround the storage pond on the surface. “We hope to achieve security in the long term when it comes to water supply,” summarizes Mohring. The previous reservoir will be optimized as a biotope after completion. Hopefully with the support of NABU.
