Lee Park is an easy walking parkland course of 90 acres and supports a wide variety of habitats from expanses of grasslands, water features, pockets of mature woodland and plantations. Our Club successfully applied for a grant from English Nature in early 2006 to provide advice on actions to gain the coveted EGU Environmental Award. Following a visit by Lee Penrose, a leading golf course ecologist from STRI, an advisory report highlighted several ecological and environmental opportunities to provide an enhanced oasis for wildlife. Based on his recommendations, a development plan was formulated and has been operating for the last 2 years. Throughout this period, our members and visitors will already have noticed many of the actions being implemented by one of our Starters Ian Evans. Using his knowledge and expertise from his previous work on woodland management, some of these actions include:
	1st and 12th hole ponds – improved water clarity by use of reed beds, barley straw bales and surface algae removed. Banks were left to grow wild for wildlife habitat. Pond edge wildflower mix was introduced. Areas were identified around the surrounds of five tees – the ground was cleared for wildflower over seeding. Behind the 9th green - ground ivy cleared, self seeded trees removed to open woodland canopy; pathway cleared; dormant English bluebells now flowering; bird/bat boxes installed, wildflower seeds planted. Along the 16th lateral water hazard - removal of Himalayan balsam along brook. We also introduced a new regime of reduced grassland cutting in order to allow fine leaved  grasses to grow in front of several tee areas.
	Bird and bat boxes were made in house and sited around course. Several areas were developed for recycled grass cuttings around the course. Log piles were also created to provide improved wildlife habitat. Wildlife now on the course has increased significantly. Both ponds are identified breeding areas for the great crested newt, a protected species. Many types of butterflies/dragonflies are also evident around both pond areas. Many of the photographs you see on this page are courtesy of one of our members, Steve Young. A follow up visit in July 2008, reviewed our actions and led to our club gaining the Environment Award – the first golf club to achieve this award on Merseyside.
	Our course of 90 acres not only provides an attractive and varied setting for playing golf, but in years to come will equally support considerable ecological interest and provide valuable habitat for wildlife.