b'Butterflies are Free And its worse in the western population, where you are, where theres been a 95 per cent drop in numbers, said Marcus Gray of Audubon Golf courses in B.C. and throughoutInternational.In Canada, the monarch is listed as threatened on the Canadian Canada create over 1,000 acres of butterflygovernments species at risk registry.habitat through Monarchs in the Rough The eastern migratory group moves between east of the Rockies to the Oyamel Forest of central Mexico, where declines of greater than 50 GOLF COURSES ACROSSNorth America are doing their part to save theper cent have occurred over the past decade. The western migratory Monarch butterfly and other pollinators. Through Audubon Internationalsgroup from southern B.C. overwinters along coastal California.popular Monarchs in the Rough initiative, over 700 golf properties haveMilkweed is the only plant that Monarch caterpillars eat, which make committed 1,020 acres to plantingmilkweed that monarchs need to survive.itcritical to the butterflys life cycle. Monarch butterflies, as well as many By developing a unique partnership of golf course superintendents,other pollinators, also feed on the nectar of milkweed flowers.golf management companies, Environmental Defense Fund, MonarchMany golf superintendents are already receiving positive feedback on Joint Ventureand the United States Golf Association (USGA), thetheir efforts from golfers, Boards of Directorsand course owners.golf industry is in a leadership position in the efforts to save pollinatorsLeveraging a $150,000 grant from the National Fish andWildlife and,specifically, the monarch butterfly and its legendary annual migrationFoundation, Audubon International offers regionally appropriate seed across North America.mixes in key areas, along with technical assistance to superintendents and In British Columbia, courses participating in this program includedothers in golf operations in creating, protecting, and maintaining milkweed Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Arbutus Ridge, Salmon Arm, Pentictonand other native plantings. The organization is also tracking the success of G&CC, Quadra Island, Tsawwassen Springs, Swaneset Resort andthe plantings from site preparation through full establishment. Richmond CC. They are among the 30 courses across Canada and theFunding is now being sought to continue assisting superintendents 250 so far across the U.S. that have committed to growing the flowers on ainterested in transitioning areas to native milkweed and wildflowers as well half hectare of land on their courses. as those wishing to scale up now that they have observed how the project Chateau Whistler has signed up and is awaiting its shipment of seeds,fits into their routine. according to the hotels head gardener, Jennifer ORourke. As more operations see the ecological and financial benefitsenjoyed She said Monarchs in the Rough fits in with the hotels plan toby their peers, the concepts are expected to spread, growing the habitat increase the number of pollinating plants to attract bees, hummingbirdsnetwork butterflies use on their migration and for reproduction. and butterflies, she said. The resorts bee hives produce 635 kilograms ofCole Thompson, Environmental Research Director at the USGA, honey a year for use in its restaurants. said, Golf courses can serve as wildlife sanctuaries when they are We dont want to have a negative effect on the area, said ORourke.managed properly. Monarchs inthe Rough has made it easier We occupy a large chunk of land on the side of the mountain and wefor golf courses to get involved by establishing and want to keep it as natural and attractive as it can be. enhancing pollinator habitat that directly benefits The orange-and-black beauties traditionally start their 5,000-kilometretheir communities. The USGA has been proud migration north from Mexico to Canada, or a shorter distance fromto champion this project as part of its ongoing California to B.C., in early spring. commitment to sustainability and is excited by the But a survey showed a 15 per cent drop in the numbers of monarchsprograms progress and future goals. in the fir forests of central Mexico where they hibernate each winter,The next phase of the work is to use Monarchs according to report in March by the World Wildlife Fund and the Mexicanin the Rough plots as study sites to measure planting National Commission for Protected Areas Right. results, butterfly use and management practice That meant 16 million fewer monarchs than this time last year. adaptation in response to the need for lower inputs The number of the summer visitors to flower gardens and wildflowerrequired for restored sites. fields has plummeted 90 per cent over the past 20 years, according toVisit monarchsintherough.org for more Audubon International. information. Environmental Defense Fund and Audubon International staff visit golf courses throughout the country to see habitat restoration efforts underway.6BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF |SEPTEMBER 2020'