How the Rare Alcon Blue Butterfly Returned to Golf & Country Club Zurich
The latest episode of Syngenta Golf's sustainability docuseries The Green Report takes viewers inside Golf & Country Club Zürich, where an ambitious rewilding project has created the largest native biodiversity area in its municipality and brought the elusive Alcon Blue butterfly back from the brink.
In this episode we explore:
How Golf & Country Club Zürich has transformed 40 hectares of its course into native habitats, now becoming the largest area of biodiversity in its commune.
The story behind the emergence of 70 wildflower species, including the rare Marsh Gentian which has enabled the return of the endangered Alcon Blue butterfly.
What other golf course businesses can learn from this story to successfully integrate sport with conservation
From Fairways to Flourishing Ecosystems
Following a major redevelopment in the late 2010s, Golf & Country Club Zürich transformed its landscape:
Half of the 80-hectare site is now dedicated to native habitats, carefully monitored year-round to track species recovery and ecosystem health.
The results have led to more than 70 wildflower species now flourishing across the property, including the rare Marsh Gentian, a plant that has triggered the return of the Alcon Blue butterfly, one of Europe's most threatened species.
In this episode, The Green Report host Gary Firkins meets the team behind the transformation: Course Manager Yannick Weber, Greenkeeper Martin Hügli, and Sustainability Consultant Alba Stamm. Together, they reveal how cross-disciplinary collaboration is the secret to their success.
"What we have achieved together, we are both very proud of," said Weber. "Those species would not exist if we were not working closely together."
Beyond Butterflies: What other wildlife now thrives on the golf course?
The biodiversity initiatives extend beyond wildflowers. Greenkeeper Martin Hügli has engineered dedicated nesting areas along the riverbank, attracting bird species including the vibrant Kingfisher and White-throated Dipper, both of which are indicators of pristine water quality and healthy ecosystems.
How are Golf & Country Club Zürich proving golf is good for the environment?
Beyond conservation, the club is pioneering community engagement around environmental stewardship.
Course Manager Yannick Weber explains in the episode how Golf & Country Club Zürich hosts public events alongside consultant biologists, educating local residents on the significance of native areas and their role in the wider ecosystem.
A Model for Golf's Future
"Golf & Country Club Zürich highlights the extraordinary value of out-of-play areas in fostering thriving habitats for flora and fauna," said Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape at Syngenta.
"They're not only enhancing the playing experience and visual appearance, the course is now integrated with a flourishing ecosystem, creating a powerful story the club can share with members, stakeholders, and the broader community.
“This initiative complements the work we have done for many years around the world with Operation Pollinator. It shows that golf courses are hugely valuable habitats in a rapidly urbanizing landscape."
Watch Now
Episode 4 of The Green Report is free to watch for all golf industry professionals, environmental stakeholders, and enthusiasts.
