As the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, Audubon International – the environmentally focused non-profit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play – reports that it is seeing strong growth in first-time membership and recertification applications across its six flagship programs, with particularly strong interest in its all-encompassing Signature Sanctuary Platinum Certification as well as Green Lodging/Green Hospitality and Sustainable Communities Certifications.
Land and water stewardship, alternative energy development, wildlife corridor creation and maintenance, and global climate change are at top of mind for decision makers in many business sectors including golf and hospitality. A partnership with Audubon International gives clubs, companies, and communities the tools to establish and build a strong culture of conservation.
“We are now in our fourth decade as a leader in implementing, teaching and championing sustainability practices for outdoor spaces including golf courses and community common areas, and indoor spaces such as hotels and corporate buildings,” says Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International. “Every year we’ve seen a solid increase in certification and recertification applications, and Earth Day is the perfect time for golf course and resort operators in particular to join us in planning and implementing a more sustainable experience for their customers, members, employees, and community partners.”
Led by Frank LaVardera, Director of Environmental Programs for Golf, Audubon International’s team of environmental specialists have dozens of golf property site visits across the United States on their spring and summer dockets, mostly for recertifications. The 2023 addition of an all-encompassing Signature Sanctuary Platinum level for new and redesigned golf courses, as well as their clubhouses and lodging/hospitality components, has also increased interest in achieving and maintaining the independent, third-party certification that Audubon International offers. In 2024, world renowned golf destination company Cabot committed every course, lodging space, clubhouse, and maintenance facility in its international collection to achieving Platinum Certification over the next several years.
Related: Frank McLaughlin, Golf Superintendent, GCSSA Leisure World Golf Course of Maryland
Meanwhile, the organization’s Green Hospitality and Sustainable Communities certification programs continue to gain major traction as well. Greg Poirier, who directs Green Lodging and Green Hospitality certification programs, has traveled extensively to new and existing partners over the winter and spring months and is impressed with the stewardship strides lodging properties of all sizes are making in every area of operation. “With our guidance, everyone at each site, from top management through front-line and back of the house team members, find that instituting ‘green’ best practices fills a vital customer need while bettering the bottom line. That’s a huge paradigm shift.”
Adds Jill Moore, who oversees the Sustainable Communities program, “Our members do all they can to make the earth a better place, from Litter clean-ups along roadways and waterways to planting vegetable and pollinator gardens, from creating and enhancing wildlife habitat to creating nature walks promoting mindfulness, health and outdoor education. More communities are taking on the challenge every day.”
For more on Audubon International’s certification programs for golf, lodging, communities, and more, visit www.auduboninternational.org.
About Audubon International
An environmentally focused non-profit organization, Audubon International offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play. Its certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both its members and their communities.
