Southwest Florida golf courses are going green
andyHALL Special to Florida Weekly

Golf courses are going green and they have the papers to prove it. Florida currently leads the country in Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Programs for golf courses, and Southwest Florida is particularly active with over 40 clubs certified at various levels.

The ACSP is an education and certification program run by one of the largest organizations in the country advocating good environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management. The cooperative was designed to help golf courses protect the environment while preserving the natural heritage of the game of golf.

Participating golf courses and clubs strive to enhance their valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats by providing sustainable open space, improving efficiency, and by minimizing potentially harmful impacts caused by golf operations.

Certification by Audubon International at any level isn't easy, demanding golf courses implement and document management practices in environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, water quality management, and outreach and education programs.

COURTESY PHOTO Natural habitat sustained by Shadow Wood Preserve Golf Club in Ft. Myers, FL.

Certification requires golf courses to submit a variety of documentation demonstrating specific efforts and measurable results. Keeping track of a number of environmental stewardship efforts includes recording wildlife active in developing habitats, testing for water quality, and providing visible proof through photos and videos for assessment by Audubon International.

Golf courses in Southwest Florida contribute significant amounts money and labor participating in the program, but gain much more in return. The environmental management practices required for certificationn improves the quality of land, water, and air, while conserving natural resources for future generations. A proper and well-managed environmental program cuts down on waste while promoting operations that are more efficient.

In today's green conscious world, Golf clubs are continually trying to differentiate themselves from others by touting their environmental performance. Developers know the added value it provides in boosting pubic perceptions helps attract homeowners seeking a community more in harmony with nature. More importantly, surveys show golfers rank "being outside in nature" among their top reasons for playing the sport.

The financial incentive for participating in ACSP has been discovered by participants currently active in the program nationwide and in 26 other countries. Environmental management programs can result in reduced insurance premiums, as well as reduced costs for energy, water, pesticides, fertilizers, equipment wear, and labor. Additionally, worker safety and reduced legal liability is realized through better chemical management and use of organic products, reducing problems associated with storing, handling and applying chemicals.

As of last year, there were over 2254 golf courses involved with the ACSP with 29 percent or 654 clubs certified by Audubon International. Southwest Florida golf courses have embraced the environmental movement as they continue to strive to be the best natural resource stewards in the game of golf. For more information on Audubon International, visit www.auduboninternational. org.

Kermit the frog may have said, "It's not easy being green", but many in our area say it's worth the effort. ¦ If you go Audubon International Conservation Activities

>> Number of conservation organizations directly involved with Audubon Program Members as a result of their participation in our programs - more than 500

>> Number of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries with endangered/threatened species - 328

>> Number of bird species sighted on 53 golf courses participating in the 2006 North American Birdwatching Open - 289

>> Number of new birds fledged from nest boxes on 86 golf courses reporting in the 2004 Nest Box Survey - 5069

>> Number of people educated by Audubon International in 2005/06 through classroom seminars, conference presentations, team meetings, and fieldwork - more than 3,000