PGA Catalunya, a world-class resort that restores wetlands and welcomes back nearly extinct species.
PGA Catalunya, a world-renowned resort that restores wetlands and welcomes back nearly extinct species.
PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness, a partner of the Golfy Network, has been recognised by STRI Group, administrator of the Golf Environment Awards, for its commitment to developing and preserving its green infrastructure.
PGA Catalunya, a finalist in the Golf Environment Awards 2022, was applauded in particular for its attention to the important role that biodiversity – both flora and fauna – plays in the day-to-day running of operations on and off the course and around the resort more widely.
Since 2015, Spain’s leading golf resort, located in the La Selva region of the Costa Brava, arguably one of the most biodiverse areas in Europe and close to 16 other protected areas such as Estanys de Sils, has been committed to increasing the biodiversity of every micro-ecosystem on the 36-hole site.
It has done this by adopting a maintenance approach that is closer to that used for nature parks and reserves and that takes into account the policies set out in the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 and 2030, rather than those applied by ordinary golf courses.
PGA Catalunya’s efforts – particularly over the last three years – have focused on restoring the wetland ecosystem, including the cultivation of vegetation around the lake, the seasonal creation and preservation of ponds and addressing the regression of natural streams and their flora.
Biologist Oriol Dalmau, who has obtained more than ten degrees in biological sciences over the past decade, including a master’s degree in plant biology under Mediterranean conditions, is a strong advocate of how golf courses and hotel complexes can, if properly addressed, provide a wide variety of habitats where an incredible number of species can thrive.
Oriol Dalmau said, “All our actions and efforts contribute to our desire to become a nature reserve with a robust green infrastructure, rich in a multitude of species in decline throughout the territory.”
“We have enabled the recolonisation of almost extinct species, such as the Lutra lutra, an endangered otter species that has found refuge and food in the PGA Catalunya basin, European Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and The Hoopoe (Upupa epops).”
The PGA Catalunya Stadium Course has recently undergone a €1 million upgrade with a focus on sustainability, which has enabled the greenkeeping team to improve the management and maintenance of the golf courses and the environmental quality of the complex, while also improving the well-being of players and residents.
www.pgacatalunya.com | www.hotelcamiral.com
