Salmon-Safe Golf Course Certification

Protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat through innovative golf course operation

Photo Credit: David Phipps

Co-presented by Stewardship Partners, Salmon-Safe golf course design and management standards represent a new level of environmental certification for Northwest golf courses

Piloted with leading Oregon and Washington golf courses, Salmon-Safe Golf focuses on operation and ongoing management golf courses, but also provide guidance for new facility upgrades within existing golf courses. The project is a collaboration between Salmon-Safe and our Seattle-based implementation partner Stewardship Partners, with significant input from the Northwest golf industry.

Qualifying Candidates

  • + Golf course owners and superintendents interested in designing, constructing, operating and managing golf courses in a manner that protects watersheds and enhances fish and wildlife habitat.
  • + Golf sites in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia

Certification Process

1

The Salmon-Safe process for golf courses begins with a day-long site assessment including habitat enhancement, irrigation efficiency, stormwater management, IPM and water quality protection, and stream and wetlands area management.

2

The assessment is conducted by an independent 3- or 4-member team that typically includes an expert in golf course design and operation as well as a university IPM professional, stormwater expert, and a salmon biologist or other restoration ecologist.

3

The Salmon-Safe team also reviews management policies and documents and provides guidance related to environmental management of facilities and grounds.

4

Certification of golf courses is valid for 5 years with annual verification of progress in meeting any recommendations from the Salmon-Safe assessment team.

Interested in Golf Course Certification?

Fill out this form if you’d like to be Salmon-Safe Certified for Golf Courses.

A project lead will reach out to you as soon as possible.

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Salmon-Safe Golf is co-led by Seattle-based Stewardship Partners