Environmental Sustainability

Our Sustainability Pledge

We take pride in preserving, protecting and helping our environment flourish

Central Oregon’s rich landscape is the perfect backdrop for our multi-faceted resort. Our 700 acres wind through a peaceful forest clearing rich with wildlife and character. Tetherow has pledged to ensure environmentally sound philosophies and practices are integrated into nearly every aspect of the resort’s development.

Audubon

Committed to preserving the natural landscape, Tetherow is an Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary and was the first golf course in Oregon to achieve the certification. Tetherow’s pledge to ensuring environmentally sound philosophies and practices are integrated into nearly every aspect of the course development and on-going agronomic practices that support sustainability and environmental excellence.

Noteworthy Facts

There are only 87 Audubon International certified signature sanctuary golf courses worldwide. We are proud to be one of them.

Tetherow’s Audubon Sanctuary Plan

Tetherow’s Audubon Sanctuary Plan is a comprehensive document that guides the development and management of the property in conjunction with the requirements and guidelines set forth by the Audubon Sanctuary program. Operational costs for implementing our Natural Resource Management Plan are comparable, if not lower, than those of a non-signature development. This makes sustainability both a physical and financial reality.

Noteworthy Facts

Each year we work with Audubon International and our Advisory Committee to update our goals as we continue to improve our work in being a sustainable golf course.

Harvesting From Within

With 700 acres at our fingertips, we are proud to use building materials from our own property. Some of the natural resources found on site that were used during construction include plant material, rock and soil. We’ve also preserved rock piles and snags to provide shelter along the golf course for native animals.

Buildings such as the Golf Academy, the snack shack and the comfort stations feature “living roofs” made up of native vegetation. Various monuments around the resort use rocks found on the property, many of which weigh more than 5 tons each!

Additionally, a majority of the plants that must be moved for development are replanted throughout the resort. Because Tetherow is committed to preserving its natural landscape, much of the vast native vegetation was either left untouched or replanted throughout the property during resort construction.

Noteworthy Facts

The rock fascia on the buildings, patio and pool area is tri-colored basalt. It was mined from Hole 13 of the golf course and used throughout the clubhouse, outbuildings, pathways and patio areas.

Course Maintenance

Tetherow’s course uses many products that are either sustainable in their production or come from a waste product. We use fertilizers that contain plant waste and kelp that is harvested and processed in the northern Atlantic. We create beneficial microbes that benefit our soil through nutrient release and improving the soil structure. We utilize dogs to help control the prevalence of geese on the golf course in an environmentally friendly (and cuddly) manner.

Noteworthy Facts

Tetherow has 160 acres of total golf course property and 9 acres of lakes and wetlands. Eighty of the 160 acres were left natural or were re-naturalized, and 80 acres are maintained turfgrass. (The average Bend-area course has approx 110-130 acres of maintained turfgrass.)

Pesticides

We use pesticides and fungicides as little as possible at Tetherow. Through diligent use of irrigation, our need to use fungicide has dramatically decreased. We spot-spray weeds throughout the maintained portion of the golf course; anywhere else, weeds are pulled by hand.

Noteworthy Facts

Tetherow generally uses half as many pesticides and fertilizers as neighboring golf courses, which helped us gain certification from Audubon International.

Grass

Our grass is not as green as other courses, and that’s on purpose! We picked our grasses (Fescue and Bentgrass) because they work well for a links-style golf course design like ours. The fine fescue does not naturally get as green as other turf types. While some courses use additional fertilizers and irrigation to make their grass greener, Tetherow does not.

Noteworthy Facts

The grassing plan for the entire course is a blend of Fine Fescue and Colonial Bentgrass. This combination of grasses creates a different look (the color) and feel (playability) on the golf course. It also dictates the resource management of the course.

Wildlife

With the help of East Cascades Audubon Society, ongoing efforts promote and protect various bird species by placing bird and bat boxes around the course. More than 45 different species of wildlife have been spotted on the property, including great blue herons, Rocky Mountain elk, deer, ducks, osprey, marmots, bunnies, coyotes, countless birds, frogs, bats and so much more.

Noteworthy Facts

Tetherow has established wildlife corridors to aid in the migration of native fauna and fowl and preserved snags, rock and brush piles throughout the property as natural habitat for smaller animals.

Creating Habitat

Rock piles and snags (downed trees) have been retained throughout the property to provide shelter for native animals. These are especially visible near the bridge between Holes 2 and 3 on the golf course. Bat boxes are housed throughout the resort. (Check out the one near Hole 6 on the golf course.)

The year-round water supply in the ponds throughout the golf course have allowed many animals to make Tetherow their home, or at least a nice rest stop!

Noteworthy Facts

The Lewis’ woodpecker is currently on the watch list for endangered species. We are working with the Cascade Bird Conservancy to help improve their nesting potential by placing bird boxes in strategic locations around the property. We have placed 80 bird boxes available for bluebirds and swallows around the resort, and 8 boxes are available for Lewis’s woodpeckers.

Pond Stocking

The lakes throughout the golf course are populated with bluegill. These hungry fish help keep the mosquito population in check and keep our ponds clean, naturally!

Noteworthy Facts

The Tetherow resort contains 9 acres of lakes and wetlands.

Operations

This is our home, too! We work hard to incorporate sustainability into our daily operations and business model as often as possible. Explore below to learn about our daily commitments to honoring this amazing planet.

Noteworthy Facts

Operational costs of implementing our Natural Resource Management Plan are comparable if not lower than those of a non-signature development. This makes “sustainability” both a physical and financial reality.

Education

We love sharing our knowledge and experiences! In the past, grade school class field trips and member open houses at the maintenance facility have allowed us to expand upon our environmental sustainability programs and initiatives. We hope to inspire home owners, guests and other resorts to take an environmentally-friendly approach their future projects.

Tetherow has hosted seminars on ornithology, ‘fire-free’ xeriscaping, creating wildlife habitat and more. Tetherow Members and guests are encouraged to contact us to learn more about building bird and bat boxes, native landscaping and more.

 

Building

Tetherow’s buildings are environmentally responsible in a variety of ways. To operate the lights in the Tetherow Lodges, guests must place their electronic door keycard in the receptacle near the entry. When departing, removal of the keycard automatically turns off all lights, saving energy. Tetherow’s Clubhouse features motion-activated lights. If a room in unoccupied, the lights will not be on.

Noteworthy Facts

Buildings such as the Golf Academy, snack shack and comfort stations feature “living roofs,” which absorb rainfall, help create clean air and provide natural insulation for the buildings they protect.

Recycling

Recycling, recycling and recycling – the cornerstone of any environmental sustainability program. We recycle plastics, grass clippings, glass bottles, tree branches, paper,  food waste from the kitchen, wash water/rinse water, motor oil, plant material from thinning projects and rock, just to name a few.

Noteworthy Facts

Our to-go cups are made from corn-based plastic and are compostable, too.