Golf and nature trails

Visitors to this year’s AIG Women’s Open can discover the incredible wildlife of Walton Heath and how golf is taking a stand for nature with daily Guided Nature Trails and the launch of new biodiversity research at the Festival Village Sessions Stage.

Join guides from the RSPB and The R&A to discover the range of species thriving at Walton Heath and how golf courses are working to ensure ecosystems are nurtured and protected.

With nature discovery kits provided to children visitors of all ages will enjoy looking out for skylarks, green woodpeckers, lizards and bumblebees.

On Saturday 12th The Golf and Nature – Thriving Together speaker session in the Festival Village brings together leading women from the worlds of golf and nature to explore how golf courses can play a key role in conservation efforts.

Hosted by Sky Sports presenter and sustainable sport advocate, David Garrido, the Golf and Nature session will also feature the biodiversity project lead ecologist, Sophie Olejnik, along with Jo Coker, Director of Fundraising and Commercial at the RSPB, Arlette Anderson, The R&A’s Director of Sustainable Golf, and Jasmine, The Jazzy Golfer, presenter, social media influencer and women’s golf advocate.

Shared during the session The R&A Golf Course Biodiversity Project is a ground-breaking five-year study that aims to quantify the biodiversity value of golf courses and identify opportunities for courses to support global goals to halt biodiversity loss.

2022 was the first year of the project, which focused on identifying and recording protected and notable species at Walton Heath and 22 other Championship golf courses.

A summary “Golf & Nature” project report is also available free to download here.

Guided Nature Trails with the RSPB

Departing from the On Course Spectator Village covered seating area between holes 10 and 11 (indicated on maps)

Daily Wednesday, 9 August to Sunday, 13 August approx. 30mins.

• 10.00 am
• 12.00 noon
• 2.00 pm

Golf and Nature – Thriving Together speaker session

Festival Village Sessions Stage

Saturday, 12 August

• 3.40 pm