Audubon International

Audubon International is a not for profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization located in Selkirk, NY. Established in 1987, the organization has helped thousands of developments, hotels and golf courses in 30 countries to advertise and promote their "green" consciousness. It is the first organization to team up with the golf industry in educating members of the golf world about environmental issues and possible solutions.

The organization is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society. Some suggest they are using using the Audubon name to confuse consumers for corporate benefit. [http://hillcountrywater.org/AudubonInternational.htm]

The Pledge

Members of Audubon International work to protect land, water, wildlife, golf courses, hotels, and other developments.

Programs

There are several programs in the organization that help members and non-members alike to understand and help the environment.

Environmental stewardship and management

Audubon Partners for the Environment

This program focuses on person or groups pledging to complete one environmental improvement project a year, which is then given in a report to the organization who will in turn send back an award for the accomplishment. Audubon International has a list of sample projects to give people an idea of what is involved.

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

This program focuses on helping companies and organizations learn about what they can do to help manage their surroundings that will in turn enhance their efficiency and conservation efforts. Audubon International will focus on many things, including: Energy and Water Conservation, Waste Management, Wildlife and Habitat Management and Outreach and Education.

Some of the developments that have received this certification are:

* Bakery Feeds, Inc., Centre, AL
* Aurora Sports Park, Aurora, CO
* Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL
* Griffin Industries, Inc., Florida
* Kapalua Land Company, Hawaii

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses

Similar to the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, this program works solely with golf courses and helping them to create environmentally friendly areas while still having great places to play golf. It also focuses on: Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management and Outreach and Education. The entire process can take 1 to 3 years to complete.

There are over 2,110 golf courses that participate in this program in 24 countries.

Some of the courses that have earned this certification are:

* Prairie Dunes Country Club, Hutchinson, KS
* The Golf Club at Briar's Creek, Johns Island, South Carolina
* The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WV
* Gull Lake View, Augusta, MI
* Lake Malaren Golf Club, Shanghai, China
* Victoria National Golf Course, Newburgh, IN
* The River Club, Suwanee, GA

Audubon GreenLeaf^TM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels

This program works with hotels to ensure that they are using green practices in their upkeep and everyday running of the establishment. It helps with cost savings, conservation, cost avoidance and the ability to increase market share. It also awards 1 to 5 green leaves as part of its eco-rating.

Some of the hotels that have earned this certification are:

* Hotel Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Chicago, IL

Eco-Design and Development

Audubon Signature Programs

This program works with new housing developments and helps them to create living areas that are environmentally sound. There are three levels to this program: gold, silver and bronze with gold being the top of the list. After completing the program, a development can receive, among other things, certification as an Audubon International Sanctuary.

Some of the developments that have received this certification are:

* Evergrene, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach, FL
* Black Forest at Lake James, Morganton, NC
* Oitavos Dunes, Portugal
* Conserve School, Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin

Audubon Classic Program

This program is similar to Audubon Signature Programs, but it is for established developments that are either being redeveloped or restored or simply want to make their areas more environmentally friendly. There are some minimum requirements and a development will not get certification until they pass a final audit.

Community planning and engagement

ustainable Communities Program

This program works with communities to ensure that they are great places to live, work and play. There are two different tracks: Public Sector and Private Sector. The public sector is geared towards the local government while the private sector is more for properties run by an association, landlord or other such private entrepreneur.

Some of the communities that have received this certification are:

* Eufaula, AL

Other programs

In addition to these programs, Audubon International also participates in the following:

* Nestbox Network
* North American Birdwatching Open

Green Skiing

It was announced in November 2007 that Audubon International helped its first US ski resort become green. Stowe Mountain Lodge was built in 1937 and worked with the organization to become the first ski resort in the United States to earn the Audubon Green Community Award from Audubon International. [Lash, Rochelle. [http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/preview/story.html?id=afa632ff-e22e-4a06-87bb-e07e6fdd12d5 "Greening of Stowe"] , "Montreal Gazette", 1 November 2007.]

References

External links

[http://www.auduboninternational.org/ Audubon International]

"Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program"
* [http://www.bakeryfeeds.com/ Bakery Feeds, Inc.]
* [http://www.auroragov.org/AuroraGov/Departments/Parks___Open_Space/Parks/Sports_Park/index.htm Aurora Sports Park]
* [http://www.aipfl.com/ Amelia Island Plantation]
* [http://www.griffinind.com/ Griffin Industries, Inc.]
* [http://www.mauiland.com/kapalua_land_co.shtml Kapalua Land Company]

"Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program"
* [http://www.prairiedunes.com/ Prairie Dunes Country Club]
* [http://www.briarscreek.com/ The Golf Club at Briar's Creek]
* [http://www.greenbrier.com/ The Greenbrier Resort]
* [http://www.gulllakeview.com/ Gull Lake View]
* [http://www.golf007.com/english/golf_course/shanghai/lake_malaren/index.htm Lake Malaren Golf Club]
* [http://www.victorianational.com/ Victoria National Golf Course]

"Audubon GreenLeaf^TM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels"
* [http://www.sofitel.com/frm_fiche_hotel.svlt?code_hotel=2993 Hotel Sofitel Chicago Water Tower]

"Audubon Signature Programs"
* [http://www.evergrenehome.com/ Evergrene, Palm Beach Gardens]
* [http://www.lakejamesrealestate.com/community/black_forest_lake_james.asp Black Forest at Lake James]
* [http://www.quintadamarinha-oitavosgolfe.pt/uk/golfe_01uk.asp.htm Oitavos Dunes]
* [http://www.conserveschool.org/ Conserve School]

"Sustainable Communities Program"
* [http://www.eufaulaalabama.com/ Eufaula, AL]

"Miscellaneous"
* [http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/travel/ Tuscon's Audubon International Birding Trips]

"Articles"
* [http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=26273 Audubon International Certifies First Eco-Friendly Community Developments]
* [http://intrafocus.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/green-golf-course/ Playing Golf in Friendly Confines]
* [http://www.blogs.marriott.com/default.asp?item=2173010 Marriott Golf Gets Greener with Audubon International]
* [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-greengolf_25met.ART.State.Edition2.46231a4.html Golf courses going green, getting Audubon certification]