The bat is the poster child: “60 percent of all listed bats in France have been found on golf courses,” says Maximilien Lambert, responsible for sustainability at the French Golf Federation. There is a hint of pride in this sentence, and he adds: “We simply need to communicate these issues even more.” In fact, the figures provided by the French Golf for Biodiversity Program (PGB) are convincing: 67445 species data and 16173 habitat data have been recorded on the participating golf courses since 2010.
Strong political backing in the association
The curve has been rising sharply since 2020. There are two main reasons for this. “The public debate has made more and more golf courses realize how high the pressure is and how close climate change and its effects are,” explains Lambert. The French Golf Federation itself is now strongly promoting the biodiversity program, the department for environmental issues has been significantly strengthened and numerous information programs for clubs have been launched. “We actually expect our clubs to take part in PGB,” Lambert makes clear. Ultimately, the association’s commitment is also due to the conviction of the Executive Committee, which concluded a four-year partnership agreement with the French Biodiversity Agency in 2021, among other things. “Our golf courses are and will be even more assets for the protection of biodiversity tomorrow,” says Pascal Grizot, President of the French Golf Federation, setting out the guidelines.
Cooperation with nature conservation group mandatory
A commitment that is not easy for some systems because it is associated with high costs and a lot of effort. You have to spend 3000 to 6000 euros for the entry level in bronze alone, for silver you should calculate 8000 to 12000 euros. “We have a very ambitious program here, which we have set up together with the National Museum of Natural History,” Lambert explains the reasons. For the natural history experts, it was clear before the cooperation began that the golfers’ biodiversity program would include monitoring and reporting. Participation in the program is only possible for clubs if the golf course has signed an agreement with a local nature conservation association to take over the monitoring. The data collected will then be integrated into the National Inventory of Natural Heritage (INPN) in France. This diagnosis is essential in order to define recommendations for action adapted to the respective location. Two years of work to achieve the bronze certification are certain.
The ambitious targets are clearly not a deterrent: 29% of the 687 golf courses had committed to the biodiversity program by the end of 2023. The two major golf operators Ugolf and Bluegreen, which represent more than 100 golf courses in France, are behind the program.
Gold badge as a real goal
In an age of inflationary certification, even in golf, the gold badge, which the Terre Blanche and La Rochelle courses have now pioneered, stands out. Four other facilities have applied for this award this year, but the certification process has not yet been completed.
Terre Blanche, one of France’s flagship golf courses with 36 holes in Provence, now has its own biodiversity working group to promote species diversity. Technical support has been provided for years by a company of environmental experts. A program with workshops, guided tours for children and adults and communication focuses has been created around the theme of golf and biodiversity.
Of course, there are also bats in Terre Blanche, which like to seek refuge in the roofs and walls of old sheds. However, the biodiversity team is really proud of the Hermans tortoise and the Cistude tortoise, which can be observed on the site if you are lucky. The two species of turtle are only found very occasionally in the region, but apparently feel at home among golfers and holidaymakers. Two more species in the national nature register – discovered on golf courses. Where else?
