Callippe Preserve is More Than a Golf Course

Ranking high on the list of reasons why living in Pleasanton is ideal is the fact that people can be outdoors all year round. Playing a round of golf does not have to wait until the spring thaw and walking a beautiful trail and appreciating wildlife can be enjoyed almost any day.

Callippe Preserve Golf Course is the perfect location to do both activities. Not only is it an outstanding 18-hole, par 72 golf course, it is also a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary." The designation is bestowed by Audubon International to golf courses that meet strict guidelines and demonstrate a high caliber of environmental dedication in areas such as environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, and water quality management.

Callippe Preserve Golf Course first achieved the designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" in 2006 and received recertification in January. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf is an award-winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. The programs' mission is to protect and enrich the natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, as well as to improve efficiency, and minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations.

Callippe Preserve Golf course, which opened in 2005, was carefully and thoughtfully designed to not only enhance its natural surroundings, but to allow wildlife to become established and flourish. They take great pride in being a leader in environmental stewardship. Wildlife habitat preservation, as well as resource conservation and integrated pest management are all key concepts in Callippe's environmental management philosophy. The golf course has specific, environmentally sensitive areas where golfers and golf carts are not allowed.

"Being certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary is a genuine honor since we are only one of 68 courses in California to hold this honor. We are very proud to be recognized not only as a great place to play a round of golf but also as a great place to get out and enjoy nature and wildlife, such as the red-tailed hawk, which can be seen here at Callippe," said Eric Thompson, Callippe Preserve's General Manager.

On and around the golf course there are areas designated as a permanent natural habitat or preserve. Within the golf course, there are 17 acres for plants with over 3,000 native plants, including 17 plants that are native to the bay area. There are several sensitive species in the habitat, including the California Tiger Salamander, the California Red-Legged Frog, as well as the Callippe Silverspot Butterfly which is the project namesake.

Surrounding the core 145 acres of this upscale course are 280 acres of land preserved as permanent open space which also features three miles of hiking and equestrian trails. The property offers The Callippe Preserve Hiking Trail which surrounds the golf course and some of the home sites.

The marriage between golf and the Audubon Society began in 1930 when the National Association of Audubon Societies published a "Golf Clubs as Bird Sanctuaries" book to assist clubs in "attracting and holding desirable wild birds." It seemed obvious that golf courses can be havens for all sorts of interesting wildlife. Slowly, the concept of naturalistic courses began growing in popularity, and more recently the golfing community became more responsive to aesthetic and environmental concerns.

With the involvement of ecologists, this burgeoning interest in natural habitats on golf courses may significantly increase the amount of wildlife habitat, and Callippe Preserve Golf course is leading the way.

For more information about Callippe Preserve Golf course, visit their website at www.playcallippe.com.

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