Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program at Olde Florida Golf Club

Olde Florida Golf Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Naples, Florida - Originally certified in 1995, Olde Florida Golf Club has retained its designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. 

In 1995, under the guidance of Darren J. Davis, Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Olde Florida was the 4th golf course in Florida, and the 50th in the world to achieve certification. After designation, courses go through a recertification process every three years.

Participation is designed to help course personnel plan, organize, implement, and document a comprehensive environmental management program and receive recognition for their efforts. To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas including: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

“Olde Florida Golf Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International. 

This year the recertification process required a visit by a third party. Brian Beckner, Founder Native Bird Boxes, Inc, was given a tour of the course by Davis and sent his observations to Audubon International. “Olde Florida has gone above and beyond with Audubon Internationals certification program. Mr. Davis uses every opportunity to promote the importance of wildlife habitat management,” Beckner reported.  

“We see the site visit as an important component of a course’s recertification,” stated Kane. “It provides an objective verification of some of the more visible aspects of the course’s environmental management activities. In addition, it offers an opportunity for golf course representatives to share publicly some of the voluntary actions they have taken behind the scenes to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them.”

Olde Florida Golf Club is one of over 900 courses in the world to hold certification from Audubon International. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Central America, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. 

                                                                                              

In 2020 Olde Florida Golf Club celebrated its 25th anniversary as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, a program established and administered by Audubon International  

Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities. 

For more information on the program you can contact Audubon International at 120 Defreest Drive, Troy, NY 12180, 1-844-767-9051, e-mail at acsp@auduboninternational.org, or visit the Audubon International website.