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Date of Graduation
Fall 12-18-2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Integrated Science and Technology
Advisor(s)
Thomas R. Benzing
Wayne Teel
Maria C. Papadakis
Abstract
For the past several years NM government officials have been working to increase economic growth via tourism in NM. As a result several dozen golf courses have popped up around the state. Golf courses are conceived to be problematic as they consume large quantities of water and typically use lots of harmful pesticides to manage turfgrass. Water scarcity has already shown its face in NM: there are drought plans in place and growing evidence that illustrates the decrease in precipitation and an increase in temperatures, which will further reduce water resources. The scope of this paper is to analyze the environmental management strategies of the Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe Golf Course, which is located in a semi-arid high desert region. Many areas were examined including land use and development, integrated pest management, water management, turf management, and energy and waste management. Most data was collected via literary reviews as well as data collected on the field and observations of golf course management tactics. MSL golf course has proven to implement sustainable environmental management strategies that will not only sustain the longevity of the MSL golf course, but also reduce the impact of golf courses in semi-arid regions while protecting the health of the general public and the environment. Furthermore, the MSL golf course has proved beneficial to the local economy both directly and indirectly. The MSL golf course is a leader in sustainable environmental resource management, and these results can be used by other golf course managers who aim to reduce their environmental impacts while avoiding unnecessary costs.
Recommended Citation
Gurule, Angelica V., "Exploring sustainable environmental management practices for golf courses in semi-arid environments" (2010). Masters Theses, 2010-2019. 422.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/422
