We are striving to improve all the golf course properties we manage. A top priority in 2013 for each of our facilities is to achieve the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program certification. To achieve this certification we must look at all facets of our operations of the golf course. Every department must take part in the program. The Golf Course Maintenance, Golf Shop Operations, Restaurant, Outside Services, and even the guests at our properties must take part. We want to improve our environment while improving the experience of golfing at any of our facilities. Our commitment to continuous improvement is in environmental performance through stewardship education, employee involvement, and best management practices.
Key components of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP)
Site Assessment
The site assessment tells us about your organization and property. By filling out information regarding the landscape and management challenges, you will develop important baseline information upon which future measurements can be made.
Environmental Plan
This form helps you evaluate your current environmental management practices against key environmental priority areas and determine appropriate conservation projects for your organization. It includes setting goals, and projects that safeguard and enhance the quality of the environment.
Environmental Planning
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is concerned with five key environmental priorities. These components form the basis of our educational materials and are the focal points for achieving certification. These categories begin with comparing your current management practices against a list of management practices, or Environmental Performance Indicators. These practices are pided into five key Environmental Priority Areas:
- Environmental Planning
A sound environmental management program starts with planning. Assessing current strengths and weaknesses, setting goals and objectives, delegating responsibility, and encouraging employee involvement lead to long-term success. - Wildlife and Habitat Management (Including grounds and landscape maintenance)
Proper grounds maintenance and landscaping can help you conserve the unique natural heritage of your area, prevent pollution, and contribute to community environmental quality. The program takes a flexible approach to account for the great variety of land uses and property sizes enrolled. - Water Conservation and Quality
Water conservation encompasses the use of efficient technologies, proper equipment maintenance, conservation measures to maximize the efficient use of water. Best management practices protect surface and ground water quality. - Resource Management
Resource management is a management strategy of doing more with less. The ACSP focuses on energy conservation, waste management, and integrated pest management to optimize the use of resources, reduce environmental impacts, and reduce costs. - Outreach and Education
The ACSP includes a focus on educating and involving employees and patrons in good stewardship to build support for environmental management programs. - ACSP members must implement 75% or more of applicable environmental performance indicators in order to have the property designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
- Mounting or monitoring nest boxes
- Installing or maintaining wildlife gardens
- Inventorying wildlife species
- Maintaining or using a nature trail
- Creating or maintaining a display
- Writing newsletter articles or brochures
- Hosting nature walks or environmental field trips
- Hosting workshops on stewardship projects or environmental issues
- Monitoring environmental quality improvements
- Photographing environmental projects and activities
- Monitoring water quality
- Participating in community projects, such as cleanups or beautification
- Adopting a local school in Audubon Partners for the Environment
Certification
Links:
www.auduboninternational.org