Rain

April showers bring May flowers.

So we should have a lot of flowers popping up in the next month. So far in April, we have had 4.4 inches of rain. According to Weather Underground, the average rainfall for April is 1.85 inches, so we have that beat by more than 2.5 inches.

Here are some of those May flowers getting ready to burst onto the scene. (Lilac buds near the maintenance barn)

Blue Winged Teal

These four ducks were out on the pond on #8 this morning. I believe they are Blue Winged Teal.

Red-tailed Hawk

This guy was on the bluebird house at #11 tee this morning. He was about to take off. Here is a picture of him in the tree behind the same birdhouse.

Ann Arbor Learning Comunity comes to Leslie Park

Last Wednesday, members of Tracey Marchyok's 4th and 5th grade class from the Ann Arbor Learning Center along with Stefan Szumko from the Leslie Science and Learning Center, came to the Leslie Park Golf Course to test Traver Creek for various factors, such as pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and temperature. ( A link to an Ann Arbor.com article is here)

Scott Spooner, superintendent of Leslie Park, spent some time talking to the class about the things the golf course is doing to enhance wildlife habitat and become certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

We then went out and tested the water. Stefan was nice enough to don the waders and pull the water out for the kids and then spent a half an hour searching around for macro-invertebrates in the mud.

The class then walked through Black Pond Woods back to the science center.

Bio-Diesel

In an effort to lessen environmental impact of Leslie Park Golf Course, we have used B20 biodiesel in all of our equipment since 2008. B20 is a blend of 20% soy-based fuel and 80% conventional diesel fuel. Not only does this decrease our dependence on petroleum, it also decreases the amount of hydro-carbon emissions.

Phosphorous Regulations

As part of our commitment to water quality management, the city of Ann Arbor does not allow the use of phosphorous fertilizer except for new seeding or when a soil test shows a deficiency. This complies with the Huron River Watershed Council's recommendation. The State of Michigan is adopting a similar regulation that is going into effect statewide in January 2012.

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

Leslie Park also is working on becoming a certified sanctuary through Audubon International's Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. This program was developed by Audubon International, and helps golf courses protect our environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. By helping enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, enhancing efficiency, and minimizing potentially harmful impacts of golf courses, the program serves as a vital resource for Leslie Park.

The Audubon program is designed to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources in and surrounding the golf course. Currently Leslie Park has achieved status in the Environmental Planning category. We are working towards achieving full certification as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. There are five more categories in which we need to achieve full Cooperative Sanctuary certification. They are:

1. Chemical Use Reduction and Safety

2. Wildlife and Habitat Management

3. Water Conservation

4. Water Quality Management

5. Outreach and Education