This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for 'green' golfers
22/06/2004
Funding worth £90,000 was announced today for the
Scottish Golf Environment Group (SGEG). The Group are a
partnership of the Scottish Golf Union, the Royal and
Ancient and Scottish Natural Heritage.
For 12 years they have been carrying out a range of
important strategic projects to benefit golf clubs and the
environment.
Speaking at the Environment Group's conference, Deputy
Environment Minister Allan Wilson said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to maintaining and
enhancing our rich and diverse environment and conserving
our natural resources. The Nature Conservation Bill and our
Biodiversity Strategy are key elements in this
approach.
"Our golf courses, although not significant in land mass
terms, are important in environmental terms as they
comprise areas of greenspace, coastline and lowland heath.
In fact there are 33 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI's) on golf courses throughout Scotland.
"The cutting edge work being co-ordinated by the
Scottish Golf Environment Group is helping conserve sand
dunes, coastal heath, parklands, ponds and wetlands. This
is resulting in the conservation of a wide range of birds,
mammals, amphibians, insects and plants.
"Our golf courses are renowned throughout the world for
their quality and scenery. The £90,000 which I am providing
to SGEG will enable further work to these courses to
improve Scotland's natural and environmental heritage."
During the conference, the Minister also presented
Environmental Excellence Awards to four golf courses.
Downfield, St Andrews Links Trust, Gullane and West Linton
received the awards which recognise golf clubs efforts in
relation to nature conservation.