To become a Virginia Green Golf Course, click on one of the links below to fill out the application:
click here for a fillable MS Word version
click here for an Adobe PDF version
Virginia Green is now offering an application specific to Golf Courses! Golf courses are a big part of Virginia’s tourism industry. Golf courses are closely tied with their surrounding environment and properly managed facilities can greatly minimize their impacts on the environment through various best management practices (BMPs).
Golf courses have many opportunities to minimize their environmental impact by making simple, common-sense changes, almost all of which can save money.
What does it take to be a Virginia Green Golf Course? At a minimum, golf courses commit to:
- Having a nutrient management plan approved by DCR: Your facility must have a nutrient management program that has been approved by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
- Minimizing the use of pesticides and other chemicals: Your facility must comply with all regulations regarding the use of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, and fungicides and have a program in place to minimize their use.
- Recycling: Your facility must have highly-visible locations/containers that provide the opportunity for guests to recycle aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles, or other disposable products purchased at the facility. Recycling of cardboard, plastic, paper, and composting of organic waste is highly encouraged as well.
- Reducing solid waste: Your facility must be actively working to reduce its solid waste generation.
- Using water efficiently: Your facility must have a plan in place and have taken steps toward reducing its water use.
- Conserving energy: Your facility must have a plan in place and have taken steps toward reducing its energy use.
- Educating Golfers & Staff: Informational materials describing ongoing “green” activities should be placed throughout the facility (signs, scorecards and brochures). In addition, staff must be trained on the overall goals and objectives of the program as well as in their own areas of work.
Approved Nutrient Management Plan
Having an approved Nutrient Management Plan is a requirement of joining Virginia Green as a Golf Course and we ask that you submit a copy of your approval letter from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) with your application. All Virginia Golf Courses are required to have an approved Nutrient Management Plan by 2017. For more information on DCR's Nutrient Management Program, visit their website.
Getting an approved Nutrient Management Plan
In order to be an official approved Nutrient Management Plan, it must be written by a Certified Nutrient Management Planner and be accompanied by a letter of approval from the Department of Conservation and Recreation. To find a listing of planners certified by the DCR, visit http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/stormwater_management/documents/nmdir.pdf. Once the plan in complete, submit it to DCR for approval. Contact DCR Urban Nutrient Management Specialist, Robert Habel at Robert.Habel@dcr.va.gov with plans for approval or if you have any questions.
Participating Golf Courses
Other information about "greening" golf courses
Virginia Green is a partnership program supported by