County course goes green Jeremy Schaefer, maintenance superintendent at Charleston Springs Golf Course, explains to visitors the course's environmentally friendly features. MILLSTONE- In this age of environmental concern, going green has come natural to theMonmouth County Park System. The park system's Charleston Springs Golf Course has become a model of innovative design techniques and best management practices aimed at protecting and conserving water resources, minimizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and enhancing habitat for wildlife. The course is designed to be ADA (Americans with DisabilitiesAct) accessible, environmentally sensitive, and supportive of diverse on-site plants and animals. Recent green initiatives include the course's computerized "fertigation" system that allows precise application of water and fertilizer to the grass root zone, minimizing chemical nutrients, water and runoff. Man-made ponds collect the runoff and recycle it for use as irrigation. Not only does this recapture-and-delivery system reduce energy costs and save water, it also results in healthier turf. Healthy turf is better able to resist insects and diseasewhile reducing the need for pesticides. Pesticide use is further reduced with an Integrated PestManagement (IPM) system that features such things as beneficial insects and nematodes to control other insects and disease. To reduce maintenance costs, out-ofplay areas at the course have been planted with drought-tolerant, native,warm-season grasses andwildflowers. The landscape provides habitat for a diversity of wildlife. Golfers report spotting chipmunks, rabbits, hawks, deer, egrets, and an occasional glossy ibis. To find out more about Charleston Springs Golf Course or any of the other 37 areas managed by the Monmouth County Park System, visit www.monmouthcountyparks. com or call (732) 842-4000.