Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Audubon Recertification

Des Moines Golf and Country Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence

WEST DES MOINES, IA – The Des Moines Golf and Country Club golf course has retained its designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. 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.

"Des Moines Golf and Country 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 Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist at Audubon International.

Des Moines Golf and Country Club is one of 6 courses in Iowa and 783 courses in the world to receive the honor. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Central America, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. The golf course was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2007. After designation, courses go through a recertification process every two years.

This year the recertification process, coordinated by Rick Tegtmeier, Director of Grounds at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, required a visit by a local environmental expert. Dr. David Minner, Extension Professor at Iowa State University, conducted the site visit and sent his observations to Audubon International.

“We see the site visit as an important component of a course’s recertification,” stated Sluiter. “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 to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them.”

Minner was impressed with the environment management projects planned and completed in the property. “Des Moines Golf and Country Club has put considerable resources into protecting a natural habitat that meanders through the facility preserving wildlife in a unique partnership between championship golf and environmental stewardship,” said Minner.

Audubon International is an environmental organization dedicated to educating, assisting, and inspiring millions of people from all walks of life to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them. In addition to golf courses, the Audubon International also provides programs for schools, businesses, communities, and individuals. For more information, contact Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them via the Internet at acss@auduboninternational.org, or visit their website at www.auduboninternational.org. For more information on golf and the environment, visit www.golfandenvironment.org.