Here are some ideas for your club, aimed at improving communications about course management and environmental issues.

Communication:

• Identify interested people within the Club who could assist in gathering information, or who themselves may be able to bring expertise to the Club.
• Set up an informal group or sub committee to discuss environmental issues. This could be added in to the remit of the greens Committee, but it may be better to have a separate group linked to the Greens Committee, which devotes their time to discussing environmental and out of play issues.
• Utilise the club newsletter as much as possible to keep other Committee members and members up to date about projects and progress.
• Ensure environmental and course management issues are on the agenda of all full committee meetings and AGM's.
• Make sure greenstaff have ample opportunity to advise the Committee, and the opportunity to discuss matters in full.

Awareness Raising:

Within the Club:

Some ideas which the Club could initiate to raise awareness of the golf course's environmental attributes include;

• Continue ongoing and regular liaison meetings within the Club and with outside agencies. Ensure environmental issues are on the agenda of each meeting.
• Undertake evening presentations or guided walks for interested (and sceptical) members.
• Display copies of the initial Wildlife and Habitat Survey in the clubhouse.
• Establish a corner or table in the clubhouse on which to display any information and material relating to the environmental qualities of the course, the actions the club are taking and the results and benefits being accrued.
• Create posters and interpretation boards.
• Produce a small leaflet explaining the value of the golf course for wildlife and the range of environmental considerations the Club are undertaking to conserve and enhance these qualities. It could also explain much of the course's historical background and features of significance.
• Initiate discussions with Ranger Services, Scottish Wildlife Trust and local schools to utilise parts of the course as an outdoor classroom, possibly culminating in school children and teachers taking part in bird and bat box creation and monitoring, wildlife surveys, talks and displays within the school, water sampling of invertebrates and so forth.
• Assist in promotion and implementation of the Scottish Golf Environment Group by becoming involved and striving to achieve the various Awards that are available.

Outwith the Club:

• Invite representatives from local environmental and community groups to sit in on meetings of your Greens or Environment Committees.
• Seek opportunities to promote examples of good environmental practice in local media.
• Produce a small leaflet explaining the value of the golf course for wildlife and the range of environmental considerations the Club are undertaking to conserve and enhance these qualities. It could also explain much of the area's historical background and features of significance.
• Assist in promotion and implementation of the Scottish Golf Environment Group by becoming involved and striving to achieve the various Awards that are available.
• Mention your work to other clubs and encourage them to become involved.