Cabot, the developer and operator of master-planned golf resort communities, sets the standard for environmental stewardship at its award-winning Cabot Cape Breton resort in Canada and plans similar initiatives at the Cabot Saint Lucia resort community under development in Cap Estate. Education, land protection and preservation of animal habitats are top priorities for the Cabot brand.
“Our properties are very special and we know that brings an extra responsibility to protect the sites and coastal environment,” said Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and Co-founder of Cabot. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished at Cabot Cape Breton and we will continue our ethos of environmental stewardship for Cabot Saint Lucia as we fully appreciate the value of this precious piece of land, not just for our development, but to the neighboring community and all Saint Lucians.”
The two world-class golf courses at Cabot Cape Breton have been designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) for golf courses. The award-winning education and certification program helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage. In order to be certified, golf courses must meet standards in six categories: environmental planning; wildlife and habitat management; water conservation; chemical use reduction and safety; water quality management; and outreach and education.
At Cabot Cape Breton, the team understands that water is the earth’s most precious resource and they have taken aggressive measures to minimize their use of water to help protect the environment. A drought-tolerant grass is used on the courses, which minimizes the need for watering, thereby lowering water usage. In addition, the entire turf facility at Cabot Cliffs uses recycled rain water for various functions including cleaning equipment and for use in the washrooms.
Cabot says that its efforts are not just restricted to its golf courses. This year, a significant amount of work was done to stabilize the sand dunes adjacent to its golf courses in Nova Scotia. While coastal dune erosion is a naturally occurring phenomenon, Cabot has recently transplanted thousands of square feet of Marram grass, which helps to hold the sand dunes in place. All of this is in an effort to prevent the erosion, protecting the habitat for birds that nest in this area.
A recent installation of more than 40 individual nesting boxes around the woodlands and wetlands at Cabot Cape Breton provide homes for native birds. The company has also posted environmental signage throughout these areas to help educate its guests on the significance of the site, and prevent foot traffic around the nesting boxes. With little traffic in these sensitive areas, the native Marram grass can thrive and offers a quiet place for wildlife to habituate.
Cabot’s environmental stewardship extends to Cabot Saint Lucia where their best-in-class approach is being tailored to the local environment. Specific monitoring and management plans for the entirety of the development will be created in collaboration with local and regional partners.
Cabot Saint Lucia, located on a 375-acre peninsula in Cap Estate, is the first international property of Cabot and will contain a brand-new golf club, residential community and resort. The property will feature a masterful Coore and Crenshaw designed 18-hole golf course, a stunning collection of residences ranging from hillside townhomes to expansive single-family homes and customizable beachfront lots, and a boutique resort.
