What’s Next: 2021 Growth

• Cog Hill received the inaugural grant from The FairWays Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at funding global conservation projects in the turf industry. The funds awarded to Cog Hill have been used to create an environmentally-conscious wastewater and flood mitigation solution, called a Bioswale, that can be viewed along Course 4 Dubsdread’s Hole 18. A bioswale is a vegetated wetland filled with native plants that take in and purify large amounts of water before rejoining the water table on property.

• Farm expansions comprised of orchard trees, berry patch, and a pumpkin patch open to the public.

• Property-wide signage and interactive exhibits to facilitate communication and participation with ongoing projects listed above.
  
  
• Natural algae control starting on all golf course ponds.
  
  
  • Through the use of sterile grass carp and barley straw to help naturally filter ponds of filamentous algae throughout the season.
    
    
• Constructing several new types of wildlife housing to implement on all courses.
  
  
  • 60 Bluebird houses and 30 Bat Boxes were constructed for Cog Hill by Lockport Township High School STEM students, with more to come.
    
    
• Working towards long-term goals of native prairie restoration on all courses.
  
  
  • Research in prescribed burning techniques and practices.
  • Introduction and cultivation of native, golf-friendly species.
    
    
• Enacting “Minimum Levels for Sustainable Nutrition” program on areas of the golf courses.
  
  
• Beginning groundwork and site prep for on-course protected pollinator gardens.
  
  
  • Continued site prep and restoration of out-of-play rough areas to be converted to protected pollinator plots in partnership with Monarchs In The Rough program presented by Audubon International and Environmental Defense Fund.
  • Sections of out-of-play rough will be converted to milkweed plantings mixed with native wildflower perennials for pollinator forage and habitat.
    
    
• LHS Eco-Art collaboration; living exhibit to be held at Fairway Farms.

To learn more about Cog Hill’s Environmental Sustainability practices, be on the lookout for signage throughout the golf course!