Page 44 - Transitioning Turfgrass

TRANSITIONING TURFGRASS

C

Nature Conservation

at Golf della Montecchia

Enzo Moretto, Guglielmo Pezzolo, Esapolis Museum of Padova and the Butterfly Arc of Montegrotto Terme
(Padua, Italy)

Conserving biodiversity has become one of the insects and can destroy wildlife habitats. A project
most important global priorities of our time; given launched by Golf della Montecchia developed
that, it is important to remember that insects are in collaboration with the Butterfly Arc (a min-
the largest existing group of invertebrate animals. iature tropical forest where hundreds of butter-
Growing awareness of the danger of extinction of flies fly free) is proposing ecological interventions
some insect species such as silkworms, bees, and that are friendly and healthy to both humans
butterflies has begun to affect public opinion and and nature. The project aims to demonstrate that
government policies. Insects are primarily in dan- even a work/play environment, such as a golf
ger because of the widespread use of pesticides course, can promote wildlife conservation and
and herbicides that are toxic even to beneficial biodiversity. The project involves monitoring pol-

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