Stewardship News | Volume 17, Issue 4 | Fall 2014 by Audubon International

StewardshipNews Audubon International’s

Volume 17, Issue 4

Fall 2014

Beekeeping on the Golf Course | 19

Mexico’s Mayakoba | 8 Meet our Board | 12

The Audubon International team poses for a shadow photo while on a staff golf outing.

Message from the Executive Director:

Building Our Team As we roar into the holiday season, a favorite lyric comes to mind: “Suddenly it’s Christmas, right after Halloween; forget about Thanksgiving, it’s just a buffet in between.” The autumn colors have been amazing this year here in the Northeast, but they are fading, and suddenly, the Christmas ornamentals are appearing in the supermarkets. This year, change is good at Audubon International! We are leaner, but definitely not meaner. Tara Pepperman, with whom many of you have spoken already, has been promoted to Director of Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. As Membership Coordinator, Tara was the person on the phone, answering questions, helping with invoices, and generally putting everyone at ease (including the staff!). Her excellent communication and administrative skills are matched by her environmental science background and education, and is an excellent choice to manage our ACSP and ACSP for Golf, AI’s largest and oldest. Please help me welcome Tara to her new role! Delphine Tseng has joined us as the new Membership Coordinator. Delphine comes to us from Ethos Homes, LLC, a green design and sustainable building firm that she co-founded with Dr. John Blouch. Delphine has a deep background in for-profit and nonprofit sustainable practices, is an avid golfer, and speaks multiple languages, including French, German, Japanese and three Chinese dialects. Please help me welcome Delphine to our team! A group of AI volunteers that is so often hidden from sight—generally only getting a nod in a side-bar list in our documents—gives more time, expertise, effort, and enthusiasm than they ever get credit for. Our Cover photo: A Roseate Spoonbill at Mayakoba in Mexico, photo by James Batt

board of directors deserves a lot more attention and recognition. In this issue, take a look and see who guides the organization. As with any board, we are lucky to have people with a wide range of expertise, background, leadership, and commitment to environmental and business sustainability. Three of our board members are winners of GCSAA’s prestigious President Award for Environmental Stewardship. Our board includes pioneers in golf course design and academic turf science research. Several of our board members helped AI create our award-winning environmental sustainability programs by being the first to lead their community and/or facility through our rigorous certification. We have board members who were executive leaders in state and federal environmental agencies, who bring expertise in media and communications, and who have extensive land and wildlife conservation experience. We have board members who have been with us for over a decade and some who have been with us for less than a year. As with any non-profit, one measure of the strength of the organization lies in its staff and board. By this standard, we are not only strong, but have an excellent future ahead of us. I hope you will be in touch with staff, and that you look at our board roster and remember that they represent an essential, committed, and enthusiastic part of our Audubon International team. Fondly,

Doug Bechtel, Executive Director

STAFF

Doug Bechtel

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Katie Hopkins

Contents Stewardship News Volume 17, Issue 4 Fall 2014

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Joe Madeira

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Announcements | 4

Joanna Nadeau

Read what we have been up to

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Tara Pepperman

DIRECTOR OF COOPERATIVE SANCTUARY PROGRAMS

Fred Realbuto

Featured Member Project | 5 City of Coconut Creek’s sculptural biofiltration wall

Small Steps | 6 Joanna Nadeau talks about working toward a daunting goal

CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

Nancy Richardson

Featured Photos | 9

DIRECTOR OF SIGNATURE & CLASSIC PROGRAMS

Great photos sent in by members

Delphine Tseng

Mayakoba: A World of its Own | 8

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Mayakoba in Mexico is a wildlife photographer’s paradise

Meet our Board | 12 Get to know our board of directors

Mahalo, Kohanaiki | 14 120 Defreest Drive Troy, New York 12180 518-767-9051

Kohanaiki becomes the first Certified Signature Sanctuary in Hawaii

Beekeeping on the Golf Course | 19

www.auduboninternational.org

How some golf courses are helping the bee population

You can reach our staff via email using each person’s first name followed by @auduboninternational.org

Wildlife-Friendly Projects in Florida | 22 Great examples for community projects from Florida members

Retailer Recycling Programs | 24 Where to bring your difficult-to-recycle items

Announcements Here are some of the things we have going on: Henry DeLozier Named to Board of Directors

Henry DeLozier has joined Audubon International’s board of directors. Mr. DeLozier is currently a principal at Global Golf Advisors. He is recognized around the world for his leadership in strategic planning for golf-related businesses, and he was called one of the “Most Influential People in Golf” since 1999 by the Crittenden publications.

Tara Pepperman Named Director of Cooperative Sanctuary Programs

Tara Pepperman, who joined the Audubon International team at the beginning of the year as the membership coordinator, has now transitioned into her new role as the Director of Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. She will manage the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) and ACSP for Golf.

New York State Parks Recommit

The New York State Park System has chosen to recommit all 25 of its courses to the ACSP for Golf. These courses have been part of the program since 2006, and we are proud of their continued dedication.

Recertification Notices

Recertification notices for ACSP for Golf have been sent out, and if you are due for recertification, you should have received one. If you have any questions, please contact Tara at tara@auduboninternational.org.

Delphine Tseng Joins the Staff Delphine Tseng has been named the new Membership Coordinator. In her role, she will provide member services support for all of Audubon International’s programs. Delphine previously worked at Ethos Homes, a green building firm. She can be reached at 518-767-9051 x100 or at delphine@auduboninternational.org.

Discount for AASHE Members

Audubon International is offering 50% off the first year of membership in ACSP or the Sustainable Communities Program for AASHE members. If you know of an interested property or community, this is their chance to get started on becoming an environmental steward and save big on their first year of membership! To be eligible for the ACSP discount, the property must also be an AASHE member (golf courses are not eligible). A new Sustainable Communities Program member must be referred by an AASHE member institution, and must note when joining which AASHE university they heard about the program from or are affiliated with. Call or join online today! Use the coupon codes online to receive 50% off (for an ACSP membership: AASHE-ACSP14; for a Communities membership: AASHE-SCP14). Mention the affiliated AASHE member to receive discount. Discount offered through March 31, 2015.

Featured Member Project Member: City of Coconut Creek, Florida Project: Sculptural Biofiltration Wall In 2008, the Seminole Tribe of Florida pursued development of their parking garage located on non-sovereign land in the MainStreet District within the City of Coconut Creek. The initial site plan included the parking structure but did not incorporate wrap-around retail and other design elements as required in the City’s 2004 MainStreet Design Guidelines and the 2008 Public Art Ordinance. Through a series of negotiations with the Department of Sustainable Development, a compromise was reached to encourage a mixture of the conspicuous display of “green” technology and the City’s requirement of art in public places. The green technology/art concept was embraced by the Seminole Tribe who engaged the studio of artist Michael Singer to fulfill the vision. The final product is described as a sculptural biofiltration wall incorporating photovoltaic rooftop panels that capture rainwater which is directed through a series of filtration ponds and released into an on-site retention basin, becoming advantageous to the surrounding wildlife. Living green wall panels provide a backdrop to the artistic design and the forty-foot tall environmental art project provides an iconic focal point to the building entryway. The project was completed in 2012 and stands as the premier example of the concept the City envisioned when enacting the design principles of green technology and public art. Public opinion has been very positive and the design is a feature piece on the artist’s website. [The City of Coconut Creek has been an Audubon International Certified Sustainable Community since 2011.]

From Our

Perspective

Small Steps Joanna Nadeau, Director of Community Programs, talks about working toward a daunting goal

’d say I am the least athletic member of my family. Maybe I owe that to my mom, who has lots of energy and many talents, but never identified as an athlete. It became obvious after college, because without a team to call practices, I stopped getting regular exercise. There were just too many other interesting things to do. And running—what my friends did to work out—was miserable. I knew I’d eventually have to incorporate exercise into my life, but I just kept putting it off. It’s kind of like planning for sustainability. Even if you’re not doing it now, you know you will have to do it eventually for the health of your community. But you put it off because it seems like a lot of work. Then I met my husband, Chris. We connected over our love of the outdoors; the difference was that he did extreme outdoor sports, and I was more of a hang-outoutside person. Always up for trying new things, I found that my agility and fast responses worked well for mountain biking, surfing, and rock climbing.

Joanna and her husband getting ready to kayak in Mexico.

regular workouts as I gradually increased the difficulty and distance. I discovered that I could cover some distance on my bike, especially in a race situation. Except for the elite few, most people do a race like that to test their limits, so the energy on race day is excitement and friendly encouragement, which can help you go further than you have before. Discovering that I had the ability to work up to that gave me confidence. I decided to tackle my nemesis: running. On a whim, I ran a 5k with no preparation in the June Arizona heat. I won’t lie, it was pretty miserable. I had to alternate walking and running in order to finish, helped along with lots of water breaks. But I did it! And that was all the evidence I needed to sign up for a sprint triathlon.

Having a concrete goal (and having invested money to sign up!) motivated me to be diligent about working out so that I could enjoy the race. I didn’t want to overdo it and go back to my old, sedentary ways. I’d heard that triathlons are a great form of exercise, because Joanna rides her bike in the Holualoa Tinfoilman of the mix of low and high impact Triathlon in Tucson, Arizona in November 2010. The big shift in my approach events. I laid out a training plan to to exercise happened when I was exposed to get from being barely able to run two miles without endurance sports. Cycling is Chris’s main passion, and stopping to swimming a half mile, biking 12 miles, and so a few years into our relationship I started tagging then running three. Over several months, working along on easier rides. At the beginning, 10 miles was a out three or four times a week, I slowly increased the tough day of riding for me. When all our friends signed distance I could run, bike, and swim without tiring. up for a major bike race, I picked the shortest route At my first sprint triathlon I kept reminding myself possible—a 33 mile bike ride. With no small amount to take it easy, knowing the adrenaline and air of of trepidation, I started training with the group. My competition would naturally bump up my pace. I progress followed what I now know to be a common smiled at my fellow competitors. I waved to my friends. path: slow, gradual improvements came from diligent, I almost dawdled in the transition area. But I finished,

overcome with the joy of accomplishment and a feeling of strength. After that, I was bit by the bug. I signed up for another triathlon the next year, and this time, I wanted to do better. I pushed myself in training, and I pushed myself at the race. The only fun part of the race this time was beating my husband in the swim, because the rest was all business. But hard work pays off. When I crossed the finish line, I shaved 20 minutes off my original time. I whooped and cheered with my friends and marveled at how far I had come. I have learned a lot about myself by doing triathlons. I learned that my limits will change over time, if I keep pushing them. I learned that setting a goal, and sticking to a training schedule, pays off in major improvements in ability, even if day to day I can’t see major gains. Once you start, sometimes you have moments of breakthrough, where you see yourself doing something you never have before. Other times, it feels like you’re going backwards, and you just have to keep at it and believe that it is worth the pain. I think any major change, whether physical, mental, or both, is a testament to the power of the human spirit—our ability to adapt, to grow, to persevere. We all need encouragement and camaraderie to keep going, but there’s really nothing like the reward of discovering something within you that you didn’t know was there.

Featured Phot s

Twin Isles Country Club A sandhill crane poses near an Audubon International sign at Twin Isles Country Club in Punta Gorda, Florida.

This is what Audubon International offers. Like a personal trainer, we can help anyone get in better environmental shape. You don’t have to change everything overnight. You just have to commit to the goal and be willing to take baby steps every day to get there. You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve and how much you are already able to do. I often hear about how hard it seems to incorporate sustainability into an already complex management situation. Or, a prospective member will ask how far they have to go to get certified, apprehension clear in their voice. They’ll say, “We have so much to do to become sustainable!” But what seems like a daunting task gets easier once you start. Even small changes, when added up, make a huge difference and eventually, take you further than you thought possible.

Marriott’s MountainSide A moose drinks from a water feature at Marriott’s MountainSide, a resort in Park City, Utah. Share your photos! If you would like to see your photos featured here or on our Facebook page, e-mail them to katie@auduboninternational.org.

By Katie Hopkins “Do people go swimming here?” I look around at the contemporary white villas whose wooden docks sit lightly atop the glassy water. To me, it looks like an inviting place to swim. It takes a moment for my companions to respond, their eyes fixated on a boat-billed heron partially concealed in the thick vegetation. “No, no one goes swimming here,” Iván finally says. “Not unless they want to go swimming with the crocodiles.” The statement is a reminder that I am in a place dominated by nature, and also that I am in an environment far different from my home in upstate New York. James, my host for this tour, instructs the driver to turn the electric boat and head toward a marsh area. Along the way we wave to a couple on the deck of their villa starting their morning sipping coffee, wrapped in comfortable bath robes, and looking out over the water as the sun burns away the mist. James and Iván turn their attention to the reeds. I sit silently, camera ready in my hands, not quite sure what we are looking for. Then James spots one, a least bittern, and the two photographers—one amateur, one professional—begin the rapid camera clicking. The elusive little bird, a type of small heron, perches in the reeds and makes photographing him difficult. To see if he can coax him out of his hiding place, James uses his phone to produce a least bittern call.

Minutes pass and the little reed-dweller seems quite content in his location. Suddenly, the boat driver is waving his hands to get my attention. I look to where he is pointing, and lo and behold, another least bittern comes strutting along the edge of the reeds. He is looking for breakfast and doesn’t mind that he has an audience. I am fascinated as I watch this little guy use his legs to anchor himself in an acrobatic fashion, and after a moment of intense concentration, darts his beak into the water at lightning speed to catch a fish. Fully satisfied with the display we have witnessed, we continue on with our journey. Mayakoba is a world of its own. Located just south of Cancun in the Riviera Maya of the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, the resort property gives guests a secluded experience away from the hustle and bustle of the mega beach resorts. In the early 1990s, a construction company was so inspired by the unique, undeveloped property, that it set up an entirely new division of its business aimed to create a place that would simultaneously be financially successful and conserve the natural environment. A team of biologists, architects, and designers spent six years carefully planning before construction even took place. The team’s priority to was to protect as much of the mangrove as possible. The mangrove, a unique coastal shrubland found in tropical areas, provides habitat for many species and also protects the coast from erosion and storm surges. Other resorts in the area bulldozed the mangrove in order to build right near the beach. The developers of Mayakoba

Opposite: A black iguana sunbathes at El Camaleón Golf Club. Above: The overwater villas at Rosewood Mayakoba. [Photos by Katie Hopkins]

recognized the vital importance of the mangrove and decided to tuck the majority of the resort behind it. Today Mayakoba contains three resorts: Banyan Tree, Fairmont, and Rosewood. Two more resorts are currently under construction. Though all of the resorts provide access to the beach, the beach is not the attraction at Mayakoba. Buildings here are integrated into the jungle, with copious amounts of tree and their accompanying calls from native birds. Guests transport themselves on winding paths by bike or on foot, or if you need a lift, a staff member will pick you up in an electric golf cart. The curving nature of the paths and the lush vegetation create a very intimate space, and as a result you are never quite sure how big the place is or how many people are staying there. Threaded through Mayakoba are six miles of fresh water canals, providing electric boats as another option for transportation and increasing the habitat for wading birds and water creatures. The property is also home to El Camaleón Golf Club, the only golf course in Mexico on the PGA tour. El Camaleón has been a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary since 2006. Superintendent Logan Spurlock uses few pesticides and herbicides.

He fertilizes the turf with chicken manure and hand pulls weeds whenever possible. Much like the rest of Mayakoba, the course is teeming with birds, iguanas, deer, coatis, and other wildlife. Logan passes on these good environmental practices by training other superintendents in the area. Aside from golf, there are many other activities at Mayakoba where you can experience nature and wildlife. The property just finished constructing its two-mile nature trail which meanders through the jungle and past canals and cenotes, underground rivers that have been exposed to the surface. Guests can take kayaks through the aqua waters of the cenotes as well. And it is in these same waters that I experience the ultimate nature activity at Mayakoba: an early morning wildlife photography boat tour as part of the Wildlife Photo Masterclass. I am accompanied on the 6:30am tour by James Batt, vice president of operations and marketing at Mayakoba, and Iván Gabaldón, a photographer based in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The Wildlife Photo Masterclass often also includes a National Geographic wildlife photographer. The electric boat picked me up right outside the lobby of the

Left to right: A limpkin dines on apple snails [Photo by Katie Hopkins]; A boat glides past El Camaleón Golf Club as part of the Wildlife Photo Masterclass [Photo by Iván Gabaldón]; Masterclass participants snap photos [Photo by Iván Gabaldón]; A least bittern perches in the reeds spying his breakfast [Photo by Katie Hopkins]; A boat-billed heron shyly peers at the photographers [Photo by Katie Hopkins]

Banyan Tree Resort, and we headed out into the canal, passing the overwater dining area of Saffron Thai Restaurant where James and I had enjoyed a delicious meal the night before. A combination of the lack of sun at this hour and the overnight rainfall have left the water crystal clear. I can see numerous fish, mostly the striped Mayan cichild, and turtles swim close to the canal’s sandy floor. Neotropic cormorants leave their perches to dive deep into the water, and I can see their streamlined bodies gliding toward unsuspecting fish. The boat passes through narrow channels in the high rock walls, and again I am thankful for the crystal water as I watch the fish and turtles explore subsurface caves. Throughout the morning I see many species of birds and learn their names, including the green heron, the great kiskadee, the moorhen, the northern jacana, and of course, the least bittern. I also see a limpkin who is dining on apple snails, and I remember the pile of empty snail shells near the canal back at my villa.

barely acknowledges our presence and keeps a distance, but he is the reminder that despite the comfortable accommodations, first-class dining, and championship-level golf course, Mayakoba is an authentic nature experience.

Wildlife Photo Masterclass at Mayakoba Mayakoba is a birder’s paradise, and you can join a National Geographic photographer for a Wildlife Photo Masterclass right on the property. Learn more at: http://www.banyantreemayakoba. com/signature-offers/wildlife-photomasterclass.htm

And near the end of our boat ride I finally see the king of the Mayakoba wildlife, a crocodile. He

Meet our Board Chuck Bassett

Chuck Bassett spent 40 years working in government, environmental affairs and the news media. His career started in newspapers, including NYS Capital correspondent for United Press International. Before retiring, he spent 15 years as publisher of an independent environmental regulatory newsletter, New York Business Environment. He also served as assistant commissioner for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and was press secretary to the Monroe County government as well as NYS Assembly Minority Leader. He has a degree in economics from the University of Rochester.

Since retiring, he lives in Clifton Park, NY and The Villages, FL where he pursues his hobbies: golf and photography. He has been a member of the Clifton Park Environmental Conservation Commission for 21 years and has served on the Audubon International board for four years, being named chairman of the board this year.

Jan Bel Jan

Jan Bel Jan comes from a Pittsburgh, PA golf family. From her PGA professional uncles and her pro-superintendent father, she learned the game and business of golf. Jan began her design career with Tom Fazio with whom she held a senior position in golf course design, construction and project management for more than twenty years. Her experience as a registered Landscape Architect, Certified Arborist and former assistant superintendent, provide her with a unique outlook on the playability, strategy, ecology, economics and aesthetics of golf courses.

Jan was elected into the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) in 1990, and she represents the ASGCA as a board member of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf. Jan formed her golf course design firm in 2009 and is a managing partner in the National Women’s Golf Alliance. She is a long-time contributor to the multiple disciplines of golf. In December 2000 and February 2005, Jan was noted in Sports Illustrated Plus lists of the “Top Ten Most Influential Women in the Game of Golf.” In January 2014, Jan was presented with the Women in the Golf Industry’s President’s Award.

Matt Ceplo

Matt Ceplo is the golf course superintendent at Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, NY where he has spent most of his career. In 2000, he guided the course through certification in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf. He expanded his involvement with Audubon International to become a member of the Audubon Steward Network and has been a tireless advocate for various environmental initiatives. Matt is a graduate of the State University of New York-Delhi’s two-year associate’s degree program in horticulture. He is a 28-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and served on the MGCSA board for 18 years, including serving as president in 2008. He currently serves as president of

the Tri-State Turf Research Foundation of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Matt also currently chairs the Rockland Water Quality Committee and is a member of the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance. He was selected by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Board of Directors to receive the 2013 GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship.

Henry DeLozier

Henry DeLozier is recognized around the world for his leadership in strategic planning for golf-related businesses, and he was called one of the “Most Influential People in Golf” since 1999 by the Crittenden publications. He joined Global Golf Advisors in 2008 as a principal after nine years as the vice president of Golf of Pulte Homes, where he helped the company become the largest developer of golf communities and golf courses in the United States. Henry serves on the Employers Advisory Council for the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA). He is also a Past President of the Board of Directors for the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) in America. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma State University where he was an All-American Golfer.

Tim Hiers

Tim Hiers has been in the golf business since 1969 and employed as a golf course superintendent since 1976. He is currently the Director of Agronomy at The Old Collier Golf Club and Senior Agronomist and Vice President for Turf Dynamics, LLC. His accomplishments include assisting Collier’s Reserve Country Club to become the first certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary. In 2000 Tim joined The Old Collier Golf Club and led the effort to achieve the designation of first Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary. Tim has been a speaker at numerous GCSAA, PGA, and CMAA conferences and workshops and is the recipient of numerous awards. He is an experienced golf course consultant for the private club and resort industry as well as a lecturer for numerous college agronomy programs. Tim has also served as President of the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Florida Turfgrass Association.

Ted Horton

Ted Horton is the Senior Consulting Superintendent for ValleyCrest Golf Course Maintenance, Director for the California Golf Course Owners Association, and Immediate Past President for the California Golf Alliance. He specializes in environmental stewardship, golf course safety, security and risk management, turfgrass agronomics, and the administrative functions of large property maintenance. His role has given him the opportunity to consult on golf course maintenance and development projects throughout the world, namely Canada, Ireland, Morocco, Taiwan, and the United States. He has earned numerous awards including the Environmental Steward Award from the Superintendents Association of America and the 2008 Green Section Award from the United States Golf Association, and in 2005 he was listed in Golf Digest Magazine as one of the top 100 most powerful people in golf. Ted began his career as the golf course superintendent at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York after studying agricultural biology at McGill University and turfgrass management at the University of Massachusetts. He went on to work for Westchester Country Club, The Fairways Group, and Pebble Beach Company. Through his guidance, The Links at Spanish Bay became the first golf course in California and the 16th in the nation to be designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Jay Jaxon

Jay Jaxon served five terms as Mayor of the City of Eufaula, Alabama making him Eufaula’s longest serving mayor. Under his leadership as mayor, Eufaula became Audubon International’s first Certified Sustainable Community, and was also named one of the Top 100 Retirement Communities in the United States as well as one of 20 Southern Dream Towns by Garden and Gun magazine. Upon his retirement, the Eufaula City Council passed a resolution designating him Mayor Emeritus. Jay is president of J.J. Jaxon Company, a family business specializing in cemetery and public memorials, historic markers and sculpture for public and corporate clients. He serves on two foundation boards: one a regional health care provider, the other for his alma mater the University of Montevallo. Also he serves on the board of a natural gas production/distribution company.

Marvin Moriarty

Marvin Moriarty began his career in conservation with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service in 1972. He first served as a field biologist reviewing development activities impacting sensitive habitats in the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays and working with developers and regulators to reduce or eliminate such impacts. Subsequent experience in Washington DC, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO, gave him experience in working with Federal and State agencies, Corporate, NGO, and local parties in conservation design. He later assumed senior management positions in the Service’s Midwest Region (Minneapolis, MN) and it’s Northeast Region (Hadley, MA) where he retired in 2011.

Marvin decided to focus his post retirement activities on joining groups whose missions centered on informing and educating communities and developers in the strong belief that better decisions affecting the public are made this way. He is the co-chair of the Friends of Silvio Conte National Wildlife Refuge Science and Stewardship Committee, a member of the board of directors of Partners for Amphibians and Reptiles, and joined AI’s board in February, 2014. Marvin is also pursuing his lifelong passions of traveling and photography as well as his love of hiking, fishing, and winter trekking.

Pat Vittum

Pat Vittum is an educator and expert in turf entomology. She has served as a professor on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts for over 20 years. Pat is the senior author of “Turfgrass Insects of the United States and Canada,” Second Edition, which is widely regarded as the bible of turf entomology. Her research interests involve the biology and management of several turfgrass insects, including white grubs and annual bluegrass weevils, and optimizing the effectiveness of biological control alternatives. Pat is originally from western New York. She received a B.S. in Chemistry from The College of Wooster in Ohio and a Ph.D. in Entomology from Cornell University.

Conversation with Ted and Marvin What excites you most about AI’s Future? Ted Horton: AI continues to provide a very efficient medium for lending guidance to managers of large out-of-doors properties, golf courses in particular, to make those properties as environmentally friendly as possible. The guidance is friendly, never intimidating nor accusatory thus enabling the property managers to make appropriate changes as time and resources permit. The successful programs have resulted in significant contributions to the natural habitat of plants and animals, greater attention to management of chemicals and fertilizers, improved irrigation and storm water management and improved golfer interest while saving property owners money. Marvin Moriarty: Conservation and recreation are “top of mind” considerations to many in communities seeking to grow and prosper economically while improving or maintaining their quality of life. I see AI as being in a unique position to assist the sport of golf in contributing valuable recreation experiences to communities while providing environmentally sensitive open spaces that contribute to community wellbeing.

What attracted you to AI and helped you decide to become a board member? Ted Horton: I have always believed that well-managed golf courses contribute significantly to the environment of suburban America and have found that AI provides our industry appropriate guidance and a great medium to share our successes in environmental sustainability with others. I want to help AI to achieve its goals and believe that membership on the board offers me greater opportunity to do so. Marvin Moriarty: When I was approached about becoming an AI board member I studied the many and varied issues and opportunities associated with golf and large landscape recreation development in general. I was quickly drawn to AI’s mission and core beliefs to which I strongly attach. AI and its mission provides me with an excellent forum to educate and inform the recreation industry as it works with communities in their efforts to build and maintain a high quality of life for their residents while contributing to landscape scale sustainability.

Mahalo,

Kohanaiki By Nancy Richardson

lthough over the years I have visited several of the Hawaiian Islands, this recent trip was my first visit to the Big Island of Hawaii. I had learned during previous trips that the Hawaiian Islands are a very special place where the beauty and the cultural assets are of utmost importance to its citizens. What I found on this trip was that, along with seeing the many natural resources, many of the cultural assets of the islands could be seen right on the property that I was visiting, and that many of the natural resources were in fact cultural assets.

Left to right: Keoki Downes, Joseph Przygodzinski, Brian Tanner, and Steven Rose

Site Description

My destination for this trip was Kohanaiki, a 450acre private residential community, located two miles south of Kona International Airport and five miles north of Kailua-Kona. It is home to a Rees Jonesdesigned 18-hole golf course, 9-acre practice facility, clubhouse, multiple restaurants, and other amenities. Stretching along a mile and a half of coastline on the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leeward side with room for 500 homes, Kohanaiki is dotted with anchialine pools and 13 Ahu (rock shrines) plus an existing historic trail

(Mamalahoa Trail) crossing through the property. The Kaloko-Honok hau National Historical Park borders the property to the south and the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean forms the western edge. Kohanaiki takes its name from its traditional land division: the Kohanaiki ahupua’a. Ahupua’a are part of the ancient Hawaiian land division system and are narrow wedges of the land that extend from the ocean to the mountain. Up until the early 19th century, these lands sustained a thriving village where islanders harvested fish from the sea and fishponds and cultivated gourds, coconuts, and taro on upland slopes. The Kohanaiki ahupua’a is a name that means “small bareness,” which refers to the lava flows that cover its lower slopes, disgorged by Mount Hualalai some 3,000–5,000 years ago.

Pictured is the Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus schauinslandi, the most endangered marine mammal in U.S. waters. The Hawaiian name is ‘ilioholoikauaua, which loosely translates to “dog that runs through rough seas.” This particular seal is Maka’iwa, a 15-year-old female who regularly visits Kohanaiki’s beach. [Photo by Brian Tanner]

On September 16, 2014, Kohanaiki became the first Certified Signature Sanctuary in the state of Hawaii. As Joe Root, president and chief executive officer of Kohanaiki says, “The entire Kohanaiki team is proud to have reached this benchmark and shares the commitment of taking care of the land with Audubon International.” To become certified, Signature Program members must implement and follow a site-specific Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) that addresses wildlife conservation and habitat enhancement, water quality monitoring and management, integrated pest management, water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction and management, and green building products and procedures. In addition, the property must pass an on-site audit, and this was the reason I came to Kohanaiki.

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Vegetative Buffers: Tall native grasses along the edge of the numerous water bodies help to filter the water and prevent erosion. A 25-foot “no spray zone” ensures that pesticides will be absorbed before they reach any water body.

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Landscaping: Xeriscaping, the use of drought tolerant plants to reduce or eliminate additional watering, has been implemented throughout the property to promote efficient irrigation practices and reduce maintenance.

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Waste Management Program: A property-wide waste management program is in place to ensure the sustainable use and reuse of almost all products and to enable the creation of soil from landscape materials.

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Endangered Species: The Hawaiian Stilt (Ae`o), federally and state listed as endangered, nests onsite. The Hawaiian Monk Seal, one of the rarest mammals in the world, and the Nene, the world’s rarest goose, can also be spotted around the property. This was one of the most exciting times for me during the visit to see these endangered species thriving on and along a Signature Sanctuary.

To talk about all of the environmental assets of the property would take more space than allotted here so I will briefly list the main environmental highlights. They are: •

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Drainage: Drainage water from the golf course is routed to dry wells that contain charcoal to filter out pollutants. This also provides protection for the holes near the ocean and for the anchialine pools. Water Monitoring: To ensure the anchialine pools are not degraded from construction or long-term use of the property, a water quality-monitoring program was designed and implemented by Dr. Richard Brock, University of Hawaii, and continues into the operational and long-term management phase of the project.

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Organic Farm: Mahi ai’ o Kohanaiki is a one acre organic farm created on-site with beds of bananas, papaya, and sugar cane. Vegetables and fruits from the farm are provided daily to staff and guests.

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Historic Trail: An existing historic trail called King’s Highway or Mamalahoa Trail is a rugged lava road built between 1836 and 1855 and extends through the property. Maintenance work is ongoing on the trail to maintain its character and integrity.

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Public Park: The beach along the west side of Kohanaiki was cleaned up and a park was created for use by the public for walking, jogging, picnicking, and surfing. The beach is one of three of the best surfing spots on the island and is maintained by Kohanaiki for the public.

The Anchialine Pool

The major environmental as well as historical and cultural asset on the Kohanaiki property is the anchialine pool. An anchialine pool or pond (pronounced “AN-key-ah-lin” from Greek ankhialos, “near the sea”) is a landlocked body of water with a subterranean connection to the ocean. All sources say that these typically small pools, which form in limestone or volcanic rock, are located throughout the world but more than half of the world’s known anchialine pools are found in the Hawaiian Islands. Anchialine pools are said to have their own unique ecosystems populated by tiny and often rare species of crustaceans and fish. Among these species is Hawaii’s legendary red shrimp, the opae ula (oo-PAY-oo-la) identified during our visit of the pools by Steve Rose, the ponds & near shore waters manager. Water levels in the pools can fluctuate in response to ocean tides and these shrimp can utilize underground cracks to travel between pools. Opae ula can also live in fresh to super salty water and tolerate a 20-degree water temperature change. The Kohanaiki property is dotted with more than 200 anchialine pools which range in size from a fist to a swimming pool and lie mostly between the course and the sea. These ponds were historically used by Hawaiians to raise fish and shrimp. Many pools were divided into compartments by rock walls and used as small fish ponds. Threats to anchialine pools include contamination of water sources, and introduction of alien species, especially alien fish. Kohanaiki staff has worked with many of the ponds in an effort to bring these pools back to their historical function. Protecting these pools is not only a property-wide and a statewide concern but a worldwide concern. There is a lot to see at Kohanaiki and there is a lot to protect, but it is evident from the enthusiasm of the staff there that it is a task that they are focused on and enjoy. Audubon International is proud to be a part of this ongoing protection and of education about the resources of the Hawaiian Islands. Brian Tanner, director of agronomy at Kohanaiki, sums it up, “Being the first golf course in Hawaii to receive Audubon International Signature Certification is a huge honor. It sets the bar for how all properties should preserve and enhance their precious lands.”

Beekeeping on the Golf Course By Kelsey Wentling, Intern

e’ve all danced with bees. In fact, you can probably even picture your last tango with a bee: the oh-so-familiar scene of black and yellow blur buzzing around your head as you casually try to side-step it somehow, while internally panicking and planning your next move. Rarely in our bee-boogies do we stop to watch bees or consider the pivotal role they play in keeping us alive. Bees feed us. They pollinate our crops so that we can eat, and without them we’re in big trouble. Don Cross of Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois has been watching bees for three years now. And he is intrigued. After discovering a feral hive just off the course, Cross started watching the bees and, “in the meantime... got interested, fascinated.” “I just think it’s amazing learning about how a bee goes about its whole life cycle. It’s very interesting how just after it’s born they hatch and have certain tasks already,” Cross said.

However, throughout the past few years, beekeepers have watched as our little, buzzing dance partners decrease in drastically in number, due to a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. Although there are many speculations on the causes of CCD, no single element has been attributed blame for the collapse of so many colonies across the nation. Speculated causes of CCD include natural factors (such as the weather and mites) or human interaction with colonies (such as pesticides and habitat loss). “There’s been a nationwide, very significant decline in honeybee population over last several years, but for many years, recently, there’s been real concern about the population in general disappearing,” explained Cross. “One day have colony of bees, next day be gone.”

Beekeeper at Skokie Country Club

As the superintendent Cross has promoted sustainable practices throughout the property and as a part

of his Audubon International certification, Cross incorporated beekeeping into his course, effectively providing safe habitats for bees. After observing the feral hive on his property and studying bees thoroughly, Cross said he decided to order a couple of hives and maintain them on the golf course to help offset the negative impacts of CCD. “Overall [providing bee habitat] has got to be a good thing,” Cross said. “I don’t expect having a few hives makes that much of a difference, but if it catches on, the overall population should expand and that should help.” Derek Rose, superintendent of Eagle Ranch Golf Club in Eagle, Colorado shares Cross’s deep curiosity and fascination with bees and has likewise begun to keep bees on and around his course. Rose believed that, because of their Audubon International certification, he was particularly interested in beekeeping as a way to incorporate new elements of sustainability into the course, allowing him to tackle new challenges while solving environmental issues around the course and the nation.

“We’re providing a safe habitat where [the bees] are not going to be around systemic insecticides,” Rose said. “So we’re starting to solve hive decline by providing habitat where they won’t get into things that’ll harm them.” Both Rose and Cross agree that, as members learn more about the projects, they have been extremely encouraging—sometimes even more encouraging if they can get a little honey out of it. “The majority of people have been overwhelmingly supportive, and I haven’t had anyone at all indicate that they’re upset about this or that it’s a problem... If we end up with a little bit of honey from it all, that’s fantastic too,” Cross said. Rose agrees that beekeeping on the course has been well-received, saying he enjoys telling people about it and watching their eyes light up when they hear about the project. Beekeeping on the course sends a clear message to patrons: that these courses are aware of the issues the environment faces and they are going to do something about it.

Three pounds of bees are delivered to their new hive at Eagle Ranch Golf Club.

“Since the world honeybee population is hurting we want to do our part and help out with that,” Rose said. “I brought it to board and they said overwhelmingly ‘yes’ and we went ahead and spent some money on it.” Rose and Cross have both spent hours observing bee colonies, entranced by their activity, studying their patterns, memorizing their dances. But in addition to their love of bees, both say keeping colonies on the course can contribute greatly to environmental efforts. “Bees in general should be a good indicator or our environmental health; it tells us how were doing in terms of general use of products on the golf course,” Cross said.

As pesticides and development push their way into bee habitats, the colonies suffer at the hands of the intruders, creating a potentially catastrophic situation for bees and for us.

“It’s a positive message that we are concerned from an environmental standpoint,” Cross explained. “I think people that know us and our involvement with Audubon International know we’ve done a lot of things over the years with our property and allowing certain areas to grow naturally, planting lot of native plants and buffer zones, etc.” Cross believed beekeeping was simply the next step. “It’s another part of the whole philosophy to help our natural world if we can.”

Scott Witte, superintendent at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, Illinois, started beekeeping at his course in 2010 after a suggestion from a friend. Scott felt it would fit in perfectly with his involvement in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, and has become very passionate about the project. [Photo by Dan White]

Scott Witte and

Beekeeping at Cantigny Golf “Beekeeping is incredibly important because honey bees need all the help they can get! The continued rapid decline of bees internationally is alarming. The current rate of decline is simply not sustainable. For this reason, I created The Bee Barometer Project. Since honey bees are so intimately connected to the ecosystem, they help to provide a ‘barometer for the health of the environment’. If superintendents can do everything in their power to foster healthy environments throughout their golf courses, we will be doing the bees, and the world, a favor. I am striving to create a movement all across America and beyond to encourage superintendents to start keeping bees. I also encourage garden clubs, homeowners, and other superintendents to create wild flower gardens, or, ‘Honey Bee Happy Zones’ rich with nectar and pollen for bees. Sustaining the game of golf must involve the cultivation of diverse and rich ecosystems with less and less mono-stands of turfgrass. We must retrain the modern golfer’s vision of what true beauty is on golf courses. By this I mean that patches of clover and dandelion in certain areas of the golf course should be celebrated, not forbidden. I sell local raw honey, two varieties of beeswax lip balm, and bee’s wax candles. These have been tremendously successful at helping us fund our environmental programs at Cantigny Golf. I have also begun a campaign to raise money for The Great Pollinator Project and other worthy environmental causes. Golf course superintendents have a real opportunity to ‘bee’ a part of the solution, not the problem! The ball is in our court on several fronts, and we cannot afford to drop it! ‘Bee’ proactive in protecting pollinators at every opportunity.”

Wildlife-Friendly Projects in Florida By Joanna Nadeau

n either side of Florida, two communities working towards the Sustainable Communities Program certification created projects for their communities that support wildlife and educate residents.

After doing some research, the Riverwood Audubon Committee decided to install bat houses, which gave the bats somewhere to go once they were excluded from the roofs.

Bat Boxes in Riverwood

Over the last year, Riverwood residents have installed five bat houses in the Bailey’s Pond neighborhood, and bats have begun using these new structures. Fewer residents are seeing bats in their roofs. And now, the Audubon committee has developed an informational kiosk that tells Riverwood residents about the bats and about the solution. This kiosk also serves as the required demonstration site for the Sustainable Communities Program and helped them earn the Green Community Award.

In the Riverwood community, on the Gulf coast near Fort Myers, some new residents were causing a stir. Evening bats, small, only 2.5” long and weighing less than half an ounce, were found roosting in several residents’ barrel tile roofs. Bats choose roofs as an alternative to their preferred homes, natural tree cavities. Roosting sites are increasingly rare because over five million acres of forest in Florida has been lost. “Bats are very cooperative, social creatures. They only choose a bat house that is big enough for all the bats in their colony,” says Shari Blissett-Clark, a Bat Conservancy board member. One bat can devour 3,000 insects in a night, a significant contribution to controlling Riverwood’s mosquito population. Not wanting to harm the bats, the residents sought a solution that would give the bats their own place in the neighborhood.

All communities pursuing this certification must choose a site on their property that either provides educational information about sustainability themes and issues or highlights specific facilities or environmental features of the community. The goal for the site is to help people learn about community projects or policies by showing them how it works and how A bat box in it is beneficial. The site should be located Riverwood. in a high- traffic, high-visibility area. Sites should include informational kiosks or educational The residents called in a wildlife removal service who signage where people can see sustainability in action covered roofs with nets to keep bats out. But the and pick up brochures and pamphlets. bats moved to other houses in the neighborhood.

Recycled Benches at South Passage Further down the Atlantic coast of Florida, the South Passage neighborhood is also exploring ways to incorporate sustainability into daily life. A member of the Green Neighborhoods Program since 2008, South Passage Condominium Association developed sitting areas for nature enthusiasts with benches made from 90% recycled plastic material that is both durable and low-impact. These fade-resistant benches will never need new paint or other maintenance. This project was just one of five completed by South Passage in 2014, earning them the Neighborhood for Nature Award.

Walking Trails in Hammock Dunes One community on the northeast coast of Florida created a sustainability-themed demonstration project that weaves together wildlife viewing and active living. The Audubon Trails to Fitness at Hammock Dunes was a vision implemented by the residents to enhance their walking trails with information highlighting local birds and wildlife and places to stop and sit along the way. Five trails appropriate for biking or walking wind through the community. Each trail is now marked with a color that corresponds to a map that shows the distance of each trail.

Audubon International

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The project committee chairs pose with the trail map at Hammock Dunes.

To enhance the trails, the committee placed eight benches throughout the trail system. Near the benches, they developed a series of interpretive signs that describe various wildlife native to the area. The Hammock Dunes Owners Association funded the project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What started as a fitness program developed into an environmental educational opportunity!â&#x20AC;? Marjorie Rooyakers, board member and Audubon Committee chair, revealed. For their efforts in completing a comprehensive sustainability assessment and this education project, Hammock Dunes has received the Green Community Award. These types of projects can be done in any community that wants to live in closer harmony with nature. The Riverwood project is an example of a demonstration site that highlights practical environmental management strategiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in their case, for managing human/bat conflicts. And at Hammock Dunes, the demonstration site provides educational information about sustainability themes including native wildlife and healthy activity, to increase resident awareness while walking through the community. Adding a responsible purchasing component to a project, as was done at South Passage, can further enhance your sustainability project. If your community is pursuing certification and wants to establish a demonstration site, contact us for additional ideas or assistance in choosing projects or project locations.

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Tips & Tools

Retailer Recycling Programs Many municipalities pick up paper, aluminum, plastic, and glass for recycling, but what should you do with other recyclable items? We have compiled a list of retailers who collect items in their stores. Best of all, most of the collection programs are free or even give you store gift cards! Collection programs at store chains can vary by state and specific store. Quantity restrictions may also apply. Please call ahead to a store to make sure they will accept what you would like to recycle. Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Firestone • •

Office Depot

Batteries Plus

• • • •

Best Buy

Staples

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• • • • • • • •

Lead Acid (Pb) batteries Used motor oil

Batteries Electronics: cell phones, laptops, MP3 players, PDAs Light bulbs: CFLs, fluorescent tubes, flood lamps, incandescent, halogens, ballasts, etc. Plastic bags Rechargeable batteries CDs Cords and cables Hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons Vacuum cleaners Fans Most electronics and appliances (receive a gift card for some trade in items)

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Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore • • •

Building materials Furniture Working appliances

Home Depot • • •

CFL light bulbs Rechargeable batteries Christmas lights

Lowes • • • • • • •

CFL light bulbs Rechargeable batteries Cell phones Plastic bags Plastic plant trays, pots and tags Appliances (with the purchase of a new appliance) Some Lowes will recycle aerosols, fertilizer, latex, oil-based paint, pesticides, plastic trays, rechargeable batteries, varnishes, lacquers, thinners and strippers

Cell phones and PDAs Rechargeable batteries Ink and toner cartridges (rewards program) Electronics: monitors, fax machines, PCs, laptops, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, telephones, digital cameras, video cameras, VCRs, DVD players, MP3 players, TVs, cords and cables (a small fee is required to recycle electronics) Ink cartridges and toner ($2 reward for each cartridge) Cell phones Rechargeable batteries Electronics: computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, eReaders, desktop printers, desktop copiers and scanners, fax machines, shredders, mice, keyboards, modems, routers, computer speakers, MP3 players, calculators, GPS, digital cameras, video cameras, cordless phones, digital projectors, A/V receivers, video streaming devices, cable/satellite receivers, external hard drives, small servers

Target • • • • •

Plastic bags Glass, plastic, and aluminum MP3 players Cell phones Ink cartridges

Walgreens • • •

Medications Ink cartridges Cell phones

Wal-Mart • •

Plastic bags Smart phones, MP3players, video games, cameras, laptops and computers (trade in items for gift cards or for an upgrade to another electronic)

New Members and New Certified Members New Members

New Certified Members

ACSP

ACSP for Golf

New York Vale Cemetery, Schenectady Vassar College, Poughkeepsie

Arizona Lookout Mountain Golf Club, Phoenix

ACSP for Golf

Idaho Osprey Meadows Golf Course, Tamarack

California Woodbridge Golf & Country Club, Woodbridge Connecticut Marley Environmental, Avon Florida Atlantic Beach Country Club, Atlantic Beach Maine Riverside Golf Course, Portland New Jersey Berkshire Valley Golf Course, Oak Ridge Wisconsin Tribute Golf Course, Wausau

Florida Heritage Pines Golf Club, Hudson

Illinois Elliot Golf Course, Rockford Michigan Fellows Creek Golf Course, Canton Virginia Willow Oaks Country Club, Richmond Texas The Retreat, Cleburne Washington Tri-City Country Club, Kennewick

ACSP for Golf International ACSP for Golf International British Columbia Cedar Hill Golf Course, Victoria Netherlands Wassenaarse Golf Groendale, Wassenaar

Classic Program Texas Bluejack National, Dallas

Alberta Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, Lethbridge Oman Almouj Golf, Seeb Quebec Mount Bruno Country Club, St. Bruno

Green Lodging Program Florida Best Western Aku Tiki Inn, Daytona Beach Shores

Green Lodging Program New York Caldwell House B&B, Salisbury Mills Ontario NAV Centre, Cornwall

Sustainable Communities Program Idaho Huntsman Springs, Driggs

Audubon International Sponsors Audubon International’s sponsors provide critical support that enables us to deliver high-quality environmental education and to facilitate the management of land, water, wildlife and other natural resources where people live, work, and play. These contributions have made a positive impact on our environment and we are appreciative of the sponsorship we receive for our programs and services.

As a tax-exempt, 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, Audubon International accepts donations from individuals and corporations to support our ongoing efforts in environmental outreach and education. Through programs designed to educate and inspire action, we are finding ways to work with others to make a greater impact. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Joe Madeira at joe@auduboninternational.org.

Sponsor Spotlight

BioFlora® was founded in 1972 and was the first company to make up what is now Global Organics® Group. As a company, and as a part of the Global Organics® Group of companies, BioFlora® nurtures the partnership between crops and soil through biological solutions, which have been empirically proven to stimulate crop yield and quality in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner. Today they have over 30 unique proprietary products that benefit growers, retailers and consumers alike. Their sustainable agricultural programs blend the organic and conventional practices to maximize efficacy and efficiency of traditional agricultural inputs, while keeping in mind their environmental impact.

Audubon International Partners Audubon International partners with organizations to help support our mission. These mutuallybeneficial partnerships involve the sharing of expertise and resources, collaboration on projects, and cross-promotion. Through our partners we are able to expand our impact and more effectively meet our environmental goals.

Audubon International is always looking to partner with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions for collaboration opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a partner, please contact Katie Hopkins at katie@auduboninternational.org.

Partner Spotlight

Audubon International Certified Green Lodging Properties are listed on the website Bookdifferent. com. The aim of the not-for-profit hotel site is to make booking â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? hotels easy for ecoconscious travelers. Bookdifferent.com offers 550,000 accommodations worldwide, 6,000 of which have been awarded one or more high-quality eco-labels. Visitors to the site can find our certified members through a general search of hotels with eco-labels or by specifically searching for Audubon International Certified Green Lodging Properties. The website also donates half of its earning of every booking to a charity of the choice of the booker.

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