Bettendorf’s Palmer Hills Golf Course Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Bettendorf's Palmer Hills Golf Course Recognized for Environmental Excellence October 3, 2025 - The City of Bettendorf is proud to announce that its award-winning golf course, Palmer Hills, has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, making it one of more than 900 properties in the world to hold this certification."It's an honor for Palmer Hills to receive this certification," said Jon Waddell, PGA Head Golf Professional. "This did not happen overnight. Our Golf Maintenance Manager, Brian Hickey, and his staff have worked tirelessly to make our golf course an environmentally responsible one.""My goal has been to make Palmer Hills a leader in the community through ecological restoration, regenerative turf management, education and outreach, and providing the highest quality of golf experience to our guests," said Brian Hickey, Golf Maintenance Manager, who led the effort to obtain this designation and was recently Mayor Bob Gallagher's guest on his weekly Mayor's Message."Palmer Hills has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program," said Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International. "They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property." To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that it maintains a high degree of environmental quality in several areas. Those categories include Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.Palmer Hills' accomplishments include: Reducing chemicals by improving cultural and best management practices Promoting and protecting quality wildlife habitat Conducting maintenance practices responsibly Engaging with local stakeholders and youth groups "Palmer Hills exemplifies how environmental stewardship, innovative turf management, and community programming can converge to create a climate-resilient golf facility," said Audubon International in its announcement. "Located within city boundaries and bordered by homes and businesses, Palmer Hills is both an ecological green space and a critical site of climate adaptation. The course's transformation, rooted in soil regeneration, water conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and education, illustrates a nuanced and place-based approach." The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program. Share this page Share this page × Copy and paste this code into your website. https://http://www.bettendorf.org/news_detail_T11_R358.php">Your Link Name Share this page on your favorite Social network Facebook Twitter Reddit Close Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility