Stats for the country of Portugal Certified Signature Sanctuaries: 1 Featured Signature Courses: Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe

Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe
This 18-hole, links-style golf course, designed by Arthur Hills, is set on approximately 138 acres in the Needle-Leaf Forest Natural Vegetation Region of Europe near Cascais, Portugal within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.  Nearly half of the property remains in undeveloped natural areas, with golf holes connected by green corridors for movement of wildlife through the three dominant plant communities: wooded, open, and sand dune areas.  A mosaic of sand dunes, heavily pine-forested flatwoods, and dense stands of umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) characterize the site.  Because of its proximity to open dune areas, vegetated valleys, and the Atlantic coast, the Oitavos property plays an important role in the overall biological integrity of the local ecosystem.  The site is devoid of surface water features, but “quinta tanks” provide watering holes unique to Oitavos.   These tanks are recycled bathtubs and sinks set into the ground, disguised with riprapping and native vegetation, and filled with water from course drainage or rainfall. The tanks help to increase the biodiversity of the site and provide much needed water for wildlife without changing the integrity of the landscape of the property.  A major focus of habitat management for the site was to remove invasive plants, such as Acacia and iceplant, and revegetate with native vegetation primarily grown onsite or moved from disturbed areas.  Verbascum litigisum and Armenia welwitschii, endangered species of plants, have been used to revegetate the sand dunes.  Oitavos Golfe was the first Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary in Europe. Learn more about the first Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary in Europe by visiting their web site at http://www.quintadamarinha-oitavosgolfe.pt