The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is designed to help golf courses enhance wildlife habitats and protect natural resources for the benefit of people, wildlife, and the game of golf. This program allows golf course superintendents to maintain golf courses and the environment with integrated pest management methods, monitoring water quality, and conserving golf course wildlife and their habitats.
Achieving certification as an Audbon Cooperative Sanctuary demonstrates the leadership commitment, and high standards of environmental management. Becoming certified involves 6 conservation projects:
Environmental Planning
The purpose of Environmental Planning is to balance the demands of golf with the responsibilities to the natural environment. This plan will help safeguard the quality of the environment and responsibly care for the water, land, and wildlife habitats on the course.
Wildlife and Habitat Management
The purpose of Wildlife and Habitat Management is to enhance natural areas and landscaping on the golf course to protect and improve native habitats and the wildlife that depend on them for survival.
Chemical Use Reduction and Safety
The purpose of Chemical Use Reduction and Safety is to ensure safe storage, applications, and handling of chemicals and reduce actual and potential environmental contamination associated with chemical use.
Water Conservation
The purpose of Water Conservation is to ensure adequate water supplies not only for irrigation, but also for the healthy ecological functioning of water bodies, such as rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, and ponds.
Water Quality Management
The purpose of Water Quality management is to ensure clean water supplies and protecting the health and integrity of water bodies, such as oceans, rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, and ponds.
Outreach and Education
The purpose of Outreach and Education is to ensure ongoing support for stewardship initiatives, strengthen local community connections, and extend participation in environmental conservation activities.