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StewardshipNewsAudubon International’s

Volume 16, Issue 1 Spring 2013

Spring is in the Air | 8

Audubon International Gets a New Habitat | 5

Earth Day2013 | 16

Eagle Cam Draws a Crowd | 7

New Program for Private Landowners | 10

2Cover photo: Eastern Bluebirds, Jennifer Batza

Based on my own personal experience, I’ve always generally agreed with the saying “time flies when you’re having fun.” Even still, it’s hard to believe that 10 months have passed since the Audubon International Board of Directors placed the organization into my trusted care. It’s starting to feel like in the time it takes me to fill up a coffee cup, I’ll realize we need to begin planning a celebration for the organization’s rapidly approaching 50th anniversary (we just celebrated our 25th this past summer). I’ve never believed that hard work and fun are inherently mutually exclusive. In fact, tasks that are particularly stimulating and meaningful – especially when mission-oriented in nature – are often the most rewarding (the phrase “nothing worth doing is easy” comes to mind)… and, well, that’s where the fun comes in!

Now that I have you nodding your heads, I hope you realize how much fun can be had during the process of becoming (re)certified through one of Audubon International’s rigorous, award-winning environmental education and certification programs! Will it require some mental energy? Absolutely. Will it challenge you to think a little differently about how a facility is designed and operated? You bet. Will it require a degree of upfront financial investment? Yes, but membership in our programs is highly economical, especially when you consider the many benefits of certification:• Measurable improvements in environmental health• Strategic protection or restoration of natural areas• Decreased consumption of energy, water and other

resources• Reduced operating costs (which can be quite

significant)• Reduced liability (including improved worker safety)• Increased staff and visitor satisfaction• Public recognition and enhanced image as a leader in

sustainability• Enriched public awareness and environmental

education

Audubon International prides itself on meeting folks where they are, and we help our members incorporate effective environmental education, planning, and natural resource management into all of their long-term goals. Although it is true that many human activities degrade our natural resource base, it is equally true that ambitious environmental quality objectives can be realized using strategies that are highly compatible with a given facility’s (or organization’s or community’s) socioeconomic goals. We embrace the view that sustainability is more

than sound stewardship of natural resources, and a sustainable future requires a logical integration of activities that are environmentally viable, economically feasible, and socially desirable. As such, each of Audubon International’s programs are designed to help stakeholders, organizations, and communities protect and conserve natural resources (environmental), promote educational opportunities (social), and enhance their bottom line (economic).

Maybe you are already implementing many environmentally-friendly practices? Becoming certified by Audubon International will help you verify the efficacy of what you’re doing, identify additional strategies that can lead to even greater success, and ensure that you receive more recognition for all the commendable actions undertaken.

Audubon International deeply appreciates the enriching and long-lasting relationships we have formed with our members over the last two (plus) decades. The educational process is a two-way street, and we constantly infuse new information that we acquire from our members. We have gotten pretty good at what we do, but we aren’t resting on our laurels. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and are actively expanding our organization’s capacity and scope so that our members and the natural environment glean increasingly valuable benefits.

So, whether you are a prospective member, a member working toward certification, a certified member, or otherwise, I hope you’ll take full advantage of all the ways that collaborating with Audubon International can benefit the work that you do. Give us a call and we’ll start (or resume) the conversation. Remember… time flies when you’re having fun!

Warmest regards,

Message from the CEO:Fun and Exciting Times at Audubon International

Environment

SocietyEconomy

Sustainability

Ryan at the Olympic Jumping Complex in Lake Placid, NY in February 2013.

Ryan J. Aylesworth, President & CEO

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ContentsRyan AylesworthPRESIDENT & CEO

Jennifer BatzaMEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Katie HopkinsEXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Laura KarosicSPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR

Joellen LampmanASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

Joanna NadeauASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

Fred RealbutoASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

Paula RealbutoDIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Nancy RichardsonASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

120 Defreest DriveTroy, New York 12180518-767-9051www.auduboninternational.org

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

STAFF

Stewardship News Volume 16, Issue 1 Spring 2013

Announcements | 4Read what we have been up to

Audubon International Gets a New Habitat | 5AI has moved its headquarters to Troy, NY

Finding my Fit | 6New staff member Laura Karosic describes her journey toward making a living doing what she loves

Eagle Cam | 7A golf course gets a closer look at its neighbors

Spring is in the Air | 8Get ready for the spring season with these tips

A New Program for Northeastern Landowners | 10Audubon International Announces New Conservation Services for Private Landowners

The Sustainability Journey of Rio Verde, Arizona | 12A desert community embraces green living

Continuously Improving | 14The first certified Classic Program member undergoes a second renovation and demonstates that there is always room for greater sustainability

Earth Day 2013 | 16Join an Earth Day event near you

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The Encompass Championship to be held at ACSP Certified Golf CourseNorth Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois will be the host of The Encompass Championship from June 17-23. The event will be raising money for charities including Bears Care and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The championship will include a Pro-Am format in which professional golfers will partner with celebrities and other amateurs and a traditional 54-hole professional tournament for a title and prize. Well-known names will be present to compete including Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, and Tom Watson.

Ryan Aylesworth to Speak at

ASGCA Annual MeetingPresident & CEO Ryan Aylesworth will be speaking at the annual meeting of the American Society

of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) in April. The meeting will take place in Greensboro, Georgia at Reynolds Plantation, where all six golf courses are certified members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The annual meeting is considered by ASGCA to be “the signature event for interaction, innovation and education relating to golf course architecture in the United States.”

Riverwood, Florida Joins the Sustainable

Communities ProgramThe private community of Riverwood, Florida has become the most recent community in Florida to join Audubon International’s growing Sustainable Communities Program. Riverwood, located just one hour from Fort Myers, FL, has a vibrant community of more than 2,600 property owners who determine the community’s priorities. They have determined a major priority is the ecological sensitivity of the area, which includes an eagle preserve and bird sanctuary.

Audubon International launches partnership with Ski IndustryAudubon International is very excited to announce that it recently entered

into a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). The NSAA is the trade association for ski area owners and operators, and it represents over 300 resorts that account for more than 90% of the skier/snowboarder visits in the United States. In addition to memorializing a formal partnership, the MOU establishes a general framework of cooperation that will be used to achieve the common goal of advancing sustainable natural resource management on ski area and resort properties.

Two New Staff Members Join Audubon

International’s TeamLaura Karosic joined the team in December as the Special Projects Coordinator. Originally from Pennsylvania, she completed her Master’s Degree in Sustainable Systems at Slippery Rock University. In February, Katie Hopkins took on the role of External Communications Coordinator. She is originally from Wisconsin and holds a Master of Public Affairs degree in Sustainable Development and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University.

Linda Snow Leaves Kentucky OfficeOver the last 16 years many of you have come to know the familiar, friendly voice of Linda Snow, who fielded all calls to our Signature Program Office in Kentucky. With bittersweet emotions we announce that in early March, Linda accepted a position as the Office Manager of a physical therapy practice in Henderson, Kentucky and is no longer with Audubon International. While we are saddened to lose such an invaluable asset, we are thrilled at the opportunities this new position presents for Linda. We will miss not only her ever-present good cheer, but her expertise and efficiency as well. With warmest regards, we wish Linda much success as she assumes her new position.

AnnouncementsOur year has started out with a bang. Here are some of the things we have going on:

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On February 18, Audubon International began operating out of its new headquarters in the Rensselaer Technology Park in Troy, New York. Prior to the move, the organization maintained its headquarters at the nature preserve known as Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary in Selkirk, New York. The preserve’s 138 acres were generously gifted to the organization by the late Dr. Robert Rienow and feature rare geologic features, mature hardwood forests, a meandering segment of the Onesquathaw Creek, a tranquil pond, an expansive network of caves, and healthy populations of resident and migratory wildlife.

The new headquarters in Troy allows Audubon International to operate out of an energy-effienicient building in a more central location and gives the organization room to grow in the future. Audubon

International will continue to care for Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary to ensure that the property’s natural landscape is managed in a “forever wild” state and it remains a unique place, free and open to the public to recreate and reconnect with nature.

Audubon International’s new contact information:120 Defreest Drive, Troy, New York 12180phone: 518-767-9051 | fax: 518-767-9076

Audubon InternationalGets a New Habitat

The primary boardroom at the new headquarters

The new building’s lobby area

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I grew up in rural Pennsylvania with no neighbors and a state

forest as my backyard. Much of my time was spent running through the woods with my sisters, identifying trees with my father, and admiring the quiet beauty of the forest at dusk. Somewhere along the way, I grew up, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, moved to various urban areas, and worked various jobs completely unrelated to my major. My love for nature remained a pastime, but something was missing. While living in Berkeley, California, I spent four years in the field of youth development and education, and explored the natural beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area on my days off. Instead of doing what I loved as a pastime, could I do it for a living? But didn’t that mean I would have to figure out what I loved doing and how to make a living out of it?

Finding My FitNew staff member Laura Karosic describes

her journey toward making a living doing what she loves

So began the search for my passion. While in Berkeley, I enrolled in a couple of night classes in environmental studies at a local community college. They blew me away with simple truths: the secret to gardening in a dry Mediterranean climate is native plants; restoring damaged ecological areas is best accomplished by mimicking natural processes and patterns; working with nature instead of against it allows for the maximum benefit of the entire system. I enrolled in some more classes, became heavily involved in volunteer management and ecological restoration efforts at the school – and began to see that, with some strategic planning, I could get myself into graduate school and ultimately find work in a field that I am passionate about.

I obtained a Master’s degree in Sustainable Systems and joined Audubon International in December 2012 as the organization’s Special Projects Coordinator. I came to New York with a background in education/curriculum development, community engagement, and sustainable natural resource management. Luckily for me, Audubon International’s newly created interdisciplinary position

was designed to address a number of needs that aligned well to my mixed professional background. As you know, for over 25 years, Audubon International’s certification programs have evaluated and recognized the environmental performance of facilities and operations (i.e., golf courses, resorts, residential developments, agricultural lands, etc.). Over time, a number of these property managers have expressed an interest for professional training on how to sustainably manage the natural resources on the properties where they work.

I can’t think of a better way to put my “mixed bag”

background to use.

That’s where I come in: I am charged with developing and implementing a new individual professional certificate program in sustainable natural resource management and supporting the implementation of Audubon International’s long-standing environmental education and certification programs. I can’t think of a better way to put my “mixed bag” background to use. I also can’t think of a more natural

Laura and her dog, Timber, on a hike in Martinez, CA in 2011

Laura volunteering for a native plant restoration at Merritt College in Oakland, CA in 2010

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progression of Audubon International’s 25 years of expertise than providing individual-level education and certification to a population that wants it and needs it most. In recent years, an attempt to break down the compartmentalization that exists among the fields of environment, economy, and social equity in the name of sustainability has been a global trend. I see this professional credential program as a way to holistically approach property management by encouraging managers to understand how their activities affect the natural environment. I see it as an opportunity to fill a niche that no one else has attempted to fill – one where maybe, just maybe, this roundabout path I have taken will come in handy and fit right into place.

https://www.auduboninternational.org/store

eStoreAudubon International

Coming

Soon!

Watch for the newest items coming soon to our eStore! Tell the world that you are proudly eco-certified with these durable

indoor/outdoor signs!

Eagle Cam

Bear Trace Golf Course at Harrison Bay State Park near Chattanooga, Tennessee has found a creative way to spread the message that golf courses can be successfully integrated into wildlife habitat. After a pair of American Bald Eagles arrived a couple of years ago and declared the golf course their new home, Harrison Bay staff established a project, with the help of a grant from USGA and other generous donors, to install high definition cameras in the new nest.

A Golf Course Gets a Closer Look at its Neighbors

Harrison Bay set up a website and a Facebook page for the project, and on January 5, 2012 the camera began to deliver live footage. After losing both of their eaglets during the last nesting season, the eagle pair, named Elliott and Eloise, successfully hatched two healthy eaglets last month. The live footage of the avian family has garnered so much attention from all over the country that at one point the live stream crashed due to Web traffic. The project has brought some great publicity to the golf course and continues to serve as a great educational tool. www.harrisonbayeaglecam.org

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Clockwise: Elliott and Eloise prepare their nest in 2012 for two eaglets that eventually do not survive; the newest eaglets continue to grow in April 2013; a high definition shot of the nest and its view

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Spring is in the air, and for many wildlife species that signals one thing: mating. This is the time when a flurry of activity characterizes birds, mammals, amphibians, and insects alike as they don brighter colors, croak, sing, and search for the ideal partner and suitable place to shelter their young. Hence, the time is here for you too to get ready for the season’s activity.

Check Your Nest Boxes

• Clean out your nest boxes, especially if you didn’t clean them in the fall. Remove old nests, any insect cases, or debris inside. Repair any damage to hinges or openings.

• Set up a simple system for checking your boxes. Once a week is ideal. Keep a record chart handy to record what you see and monitor the success of your boxes. Audubon International can supply you with a monitoring record.

Follow these suggestions to increase your chances of attracting bluebirds to your boxes:

• Place nest boxes near short, mown grass.Sites with mature trees and near grasses and other low vegetation under the shade of 20-foot high trees are also noted to be among the most successful nest box sites. Golf courses and cemeteries can be ideal locations.

• Open land, similar to a meadow, is preferred. An expanded front or backyard with a garden

Spring is in the Air

Attracting Bluebirds

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is fine. Sites that are wooded or highly suburbanized are not likely to attract bluebirds.

• Place boxes away from nearby buildingsthat may harbor house sparrows. Housesparrows can parasitize bluebird nests andkill the young.

• Overhead utility wires, or nearby scatteredtrees, provide a place for bluebirds to perch while hunting for insects below.

Remember all the fall outdoor chores that you didn’t get to—leaves that still need raking, hedges that need trimming, patches of lawn that need renovation? Then add all the chores that winter whipped up—fallen branches, broken fences, winterkilled shrubs—and soon your list of spring-cleaning chores is longer than ever. Here’s a small habitat conservation tip that may help shorten your list: Avoid cleaning up too much.

• Leave some dead branches for birds to perch on. Likewise, leave dead trees where they don’t pose a safety hazard—you’ll be rewarded by a host of woodpeckers and other cavity nesters.

• Don’t remove all the fallen leaves from wooded areas. Leaf litter provides valuable cover for many wildlife species and helps return nutrients to the soil.

• Before clearing or thinning hedgerows along property boundaries, evaluate their value as wildlife habitat. Many birds nest in hedges or seek them out for protection from predators while feeding or resting. Leave hedgerows that can serve as corridors that link larger habitats.

• Do you really need to mow it all? Survey your property for areas that could be naturalized with taller grasses and wildflowers.

Fire is beneficial to the health of many ecosystems. In fact, grassland and pine communities require periodic fires for rejuvenation. Plants and animals of fire-dependent communities are not only adapted to a life with fire, many cannot survive without it. Spring presents a window of opportunity for property managers to burn grasslands and fire-dependent forests safely. Many ACSP members use controlled, or prescribed, burns as an effective management tool. If you are interested in learning more about how to conduct such a burn, consider the following key points:

• A prescribed fire is one purposefully set in a skillful, preplanned manner, under predetermined weather conditions, in a definite place, to achieve a specific purpose. Preparation is crucial to the success of a controlled burn program.

• A typical program involves training in fire safety, behavior, and ecology; educating and notifying the public; preparing a burn plan; and establishing a program to monitor the effects.

• Your burn plan should detail equipment needs, specific burn objectives, and required weather parameters, such as wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature, and fuel moisture levels.

• Contact your state conservation department for information about laws regulating the use of prescribed fire and training opportunities. Your regional offices of the USDA, Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have a variety of information on fire safety, fire management laws, and values and methods of conducting controlled burns.

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Audubon International is now offering a wide range of natural resource management services to private landowners in upstate New York, southern Vermont, western Massachusetts, and western Connecticut. Our expertise includes wildlife planning and habitat management, forest resource planning and management, natural resource inventory and assessment, regulatory compliance, conservation payment programs available to private landowners, and estate planning (i.e. conservation easements). Simply put, we offer a systematic approach to developing an effective conservation strategy and will also lend valuable assistance with the selection of those professionals whose services will be needed to help execute various elements of the plan (i.e. appraisers, environmental engineers, surveyors, certified foresters, conservation biologists, real estate attorneys, and government officials).

Who is this for?Our services are available to a wide range of clientele: industrial and commercial forests, family forests (i.e. non-commercial), recreational lands (i.e. leasable hunting lands), agricultural lands, lightly developed residential and and commercial parcels,

a new program for

NortheasternLandownersAudubon International Announces New Conservation Services for Private Landowners

and lands protected under conservation easements. Whether you are a small business, real estate investment group, agriculture producer, or a family forest owner, our natural resource planning and management expertise will help you promote conservation value on your property.

What is the process?We can work with you to develop a prescription for a small area (i.e., a single stand of trees, a patch of grassland, or a seasonal wetland) or prepare a comprehensive natural resource management plan that articulates measurable objectives and practical strategies that will allow you to track progress toward your long-term vision for the entire property.

One of the most common objectives of conservation-minded private landowners is to conserve or enhance their property’s habitat benefits to native game species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, rabbits, furbearers, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, mourning dove, waterfowl, and a wide range of non-game wildlife (including raptors, song birds, reptiles, amphibians and endangered species). To help landowners achieve their goals, Audubon International can outline a wide range of options for managing, conserving or enhancing the full spectrum of habitat types, including agricultural lands, forests (of all age classes and species compositions), grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas, and urban/suburban open space.

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Audubon International alsohelps landownersenhance hunting,wildlife observation, andother wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities thatimprove a property’s recreational usage and/or re-sale value. Our professional staff will use their expertise in the latest scientific research, wildlife management methods, government programs, and environmental law and compliance to enhance the conservation and recreational value of your property.

Even if you are limited in the extent of habitat changes you can make, Audubon International would welcome the opportunity to explore how your property can be managed using practical and affordable strategies that increase its natural resource potential.

Our PhilosophyAudubon International places a high value on our professional commitment to serving our clients. Collectively, our team has over 100 years of experience working in the natural

resource managementfield. Every piece ofproperty is unique,and presents a widerange of challenges andopportunities. Our staff willhelp you to articulate your goals,assess your property’s natural resource potential, and recommend strategies that will enable you to achieve your objectives. When it comes to developing management plans for your property, we will do what is necessary to ensure delivery of the highest quality technical product, presented in a clear, concise, understandable, and, most importantly, actionable form.

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The Sustainability Journeyof Rio Verde, ArizonaA Desert Community Embraces Green Living

JOANNA NADEAU

Nestled high in the Sonoran desert, Rio Verde, Arizona is an active community sitting along the

western edge of the Verde River, one of Arizona’s few flowing rivers, and adjacent to McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The community is known for its spectacular mountain views, its serenity, and its outstanding services and amenities, and now Rio Verde residents are involved in a process to ensure sustained sensitivity to the land, water, and cultural heritage of the area. Because most of the 735 acres of the community operates as residential, commercial or recreational space, Rio Verde models how a small, planned community of 1400 residents can protect and enhance the environment while advancing economic development and preserving a vibrant social fabric.

Resident Sal Celona, volunteer Sustainability Coordinator, initiated the effort to make Rio Verde a Certified Audubon Sustainable Community. “The residents and visitors to the Rio Verde community will benefit from the many advantages of being an environmentally responsible, sensitive and sustainable member of this vital and important region of our country,” says Celona. Rio Verde

residents take part in a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities that include, golf, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Respecting the desert’s ecological limits is an essential element to preserving this way of life.

Joining the Audubon International Sustainable Communities Program in 2010 was a natural next step to expand on the community’s green practices. The Community Association had installed solar panels on the Community Center earlier that year to reduce the building’s energy demands. Due to the original design of the on-site wastewater treatment facility, turf areas in the community’s Country Club are irrigated with water treated and recycled from residential use, extending the limited desert water supplies.

For this desert community located about 40 miles north-east of Phoenix, being sustainable also means having a healthy micro-economy within the community. Two local entrepreneurs adapted one corner of the property into a garden, offering locally grown produce and reducing the need for out-of-town trips to the grocery store. Once completed, the

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planned Village Green/Town Center will offer additional local business services for residents.

The Community Association is run by a small professional staff and augmented by volunteer committees that assist with management of streets and services. In 2008 a strategic planning group was formed to begin the process of evaluating Rio Verde’s strengths and weaknesses. They identified a number of areas that would require an initiative and developed a strategic plan for addressing some of these issues that was approved in 2010. Building on the momentum of several sustainability projects and this planning exercise, Celona approached Audubon International for assistance in moving the community forward. Celona notes, “We needed some organizational focus to lead a concerted effort to educate our residents in areas of interest and importance to our community.”

After receiving the Green Community Award, the Rio Verde Sustainability Community Alliance (SCA) produced a Sustainability Portfolio, highlighting priority projects for the future and resources available for each project. To encourage the continued development of green initiatives within Rio Verde, this fall the SCA will begin to solicit more community involvement through public meetings to collect feedback and determine what areas are of most interest and importance to residents.Community outreach and education on sustainability was initiated several years ago

with a one day conference on “Green and Clean” sponsored by the community, which covered water and energy conservation, desert gardening, and solar power. Now, the annual “Living Green in the Verdes” Fair brings in regional experts on water and desert landscaping to offer residents green tips and products. To support the increased emphasis on resident involvement, a new column titled “The Sustainable Way” is published in the community’s newsletter that provides residents with information on a number of sustainable projects, programs and activities that are already in existence and others that are being contemplated or under consideration for the future. Together, these highlights showcase a commitment to the environment in Rio Verde and a resolve to expand that commitment in the future.

Celona is eager to lead his community through the planning process and to certification. “We will accrue the economic advantages, pride of accomplishment and knowledge that we have been an active participant in an essential program of growth and betterment,” he says.

Audubon International is currently working to develop leadership role models of sustainable communities throughout the country. A goal is to make Rio Verde the sustainable community model for the West. The City of Eufaula, AL and Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont are also certified members of the Sustainable Communities Program.

Stopping the Salty CycleThe Utilities Committee considered the impact of water softening discharges to the water treatment facility that uses reclaimed water to irrigate the golf courses. As a result of these discharges, high sodium levels were found in the turf, causing issues with turf health. Portable, self-contained water softening units were recommended to all residents that would eliminate all discharges from water softeners into the waste stream.

Find out more about our Sustainable Communities Program

Join Joanna Nadeau for a

WebinarMay 28, 1:00pm EST

Rio Verde’s Projects Include:

The Moore GardensAn 8,000 square foot garden produces spinach, arugula, lettuce, beets, carrots, and scallions for Rio Verde residents on what was previously under-utilized ranch land. No pesticides are used after vegetables are planted, and the goal is to eliminate all pesticide use in the future.

Attracting ButterfliesAdjacent to Hole #17 on the golf course, a butterfly/hummingbird demonstration garden provides an oasis for native species and a place to educate the public. By adding native flowering plants to this high-visibility location, community volunteers and Country Club staff created an attractive site for pollinator conservation.

“Smart” Irrigation ControllersThrough partnership with the Salt River Project (SRP), residents were encouraged to convert existing irrigation controllers by purchasing a “smart” controller at a discounted price. This new irrigation technology allows water to be dispersed automatically to plants and trees at variable time intervals based on season, reducing the water supplies that must be drawn from community wells and saving residents money on their water bills.

To register, go to:www.auduboninternational.org

Select Knowledge Hub, then Webinars

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Continously Improving

Typical buffers around the lakes at Pearl Beach

The first certified Audubon Classic Program member undergoes a second renovation and demonstates that there is always room for greater sustainability

NANCY RICHARDSON

April 2009 held an important first for Audubon International. In the

previous year, we created a new program called the Audubon Classic Program, which was designed to work with, among other things, golf courses that had undergone or were currently undergoing a renovation. The first in the world to be certified in the

Classic Program was Tianjin Pearl Beach Golf Club (TPB) located just south of Beijing. The celebration of their 2009 certification was a huge event. VIPs from around China participated, and a lot of press about the project was released throughout Asia.

The city of Tianjin lies in the northeast of the North China Plain, west of the Pacific Ocean,

with the Bohai Sea to the east and the Yanshan Mountains to the north. Tianjin City is one of the four municipalities that come directly under the jurisdiction of the central government. It is an economic center in north China, an international port city, and an ecological city. Tianjin Bohai Sea is an economic gateway, and, because of that status, projecting the need for sustainable development is very important.

Since the time of my last visit to the Tianjin Pearl Beach Golf Club, a lot has happened to that property. Under its new owners, Keppel Land China, the golf course has been undergoing another renovation to not only improve the golf course from a playability standpoint, but to enhance the environmental stewardship of the golf facility within the new development region of the Eco-City. The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City “is the result of a collaborative agreement between the governments of China and Singapore to jointly develop a socially harmonious and environmentally friendly city in China designed to tackle environmental protection,

resource and energy conservation, and sustainable development, and serve as a model for sustainable development for other cities in China.” Because of Pearl Beach’s location near the Eco-City, upgrading its status is of utmost importance.

As stated by its owners, “TPB is a proud certified member of the Audubon Classic Program and environmental stewardship remains important to the

operations of the club not only today, but also for the future.” Tripp Davis and Associates (TDA) Golf Architecture from Norman, Oklahoma was retained by Keppel

Presentation of certification to community and project leaders in 2009

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Tianjin

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The following offers a picture of the golf course’s ecological features once the renovations are complete:

Enhanced Water Quality•Aminimumof2.5%surfacedrainage flows to catch basins to help keep lakes flushed and oxygenated, therefore improving water quality.•Increasedplantdensityalong water edges ensures soil coverage and natural filtration of surface water.•Densenativegrassareasreduce migration of silt and provide better ground cover for wildlife.•Wetlandshelvesenhancebuffer and wildlife habitat. •Golfcoursedrainagesystemskeep lakes flushed and oxygenated during extended periods of drought.•Sandcappingofallmaintainedturf areas allow a filter through root zone profile before entering the drainage system, improving water quality and reducing the impact of salt issues.

Enhanced Water Conservation & Reduction of Maintenance Input•Tighterspacingofirrigationheads provides improved control and water distribution on a windy site, ultimately using less water.•Nopermanentirrigationinnativeareas results in less competition from weeds. •Aquickcouplershouldersystemallows hand watering of tees and greens during dry winter after main

irrigation system has been drained for winter, eliminating the need for large heads and excess water to spot irrigate. This improves turf quality going into the season.•Moreheatanddroughttolerantturfgrasses reduce water consumption.

Turf grass varieties are also adaptable to the site so that adequate playing surfaces can be achieved with less artificial input.

Enhanced Area of Habitat and Migration Corridors•Anincreasedoverallareaofunmaintained native grasses and tree groupings reduce the area that is maintained within the confines of the golf course, which reduces input and water usage while increasing wildlife habitat. •Nativeareasarenon-irrigated, helping reduce water consumption of property. •Maintenanceofnative/naturalareas does not require mowing and weeds are picked by hand to promote greater purity of grass types.•Turfareasalongwaterareplaced only where necessary for the “play of the game” and in those locations the turf density helps provide habitat. All other areas are native/natural areas providing habitat. •New“streams”helpprovidenatural connection between water bodies allowing for migration and animal movement.•Treespeciesarehighly

adaptable to high pH soils and have been successful in other areas of the region. •Treesgrowinlargergroupsandoffer enhanced habitat for birds and enhanced travel corridors for wildlife habitat.

Layout showing golf holes interspersed with native areas

The Vision for a MoreSustainable Golf Course

Land China to provide golf course design and consulting services. TDA has also retained the agronomic services of Troon Golf to provide professional agronomic expertise to the TPB team. TPB challenged TDA to re-design this golf course to enhance the Audubon International objectives for the golf course which include having high water quality, reducing the use of irrigation water,

reducing maintenance input/impact, reducing the overall area that requires daily maintenance, and adding valuable wildlife habitat.

When fully complete, this new Tripp Davis-design will fall within the standards established by Tianjin Eco-City as well as maintain Audubon International’s Classic Program criteria to

improve wildlife habitat, water conservation, and water quality. More importantly, the golf course and its vision for sustainability will serve as a model to be emulated for other renovation projects in China and throughout the world. I look forward to seeing the new course on my next visit to Tianjin.

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EPA National Sustainable Design ExpoNational Mall, Washington, DCApril 18-19, 11am-6pm, 9am-6pmCollege students will display their sustainability innovations and compete for an EPA award. There will also be fun activities for all ages.

Earth Day San Francisco FestivalCivic Center Plaza, San FranciscoApril 20, 10am-6pmThis free day-long festival features musical performances, speakers, workshops, hands on projects and exhibits, kids activities, and organic food vendors.

Earth Day 5K RunMyrtle Edwards Park, SeattleApril 20, 9amThis Earth Day event empasizes that human health and environmental health go hand -in-hand. Proceeds benefit the Green Seattle partnership.

Party for the PlanetBrookfield Zoo, Chicago areaApril 21, 10:00am-5:00pmIn addition to the fun of seeing the animals, kids and adults will enjoy live music, presentations about endangered animals, tours of eco-friendly features at the zoo, and planting activities. The event also includes an electronics recycling drop-off.

Green FestivalJavits Center North, NYCApril 20-21, 10am-6pm, 11am-5pmThe event features an eco-fashion show, organic food vendors, the Sierra Club Green Cinema, live music, speakers, workshops, and green products for sale.

14th Annual Earth Day Charles River CleanupCharles River, Boston areaApril 20, 9am-12pm

Thousands of people will comb the banks of the Charles

River to pick up trash. Last year, volunteers removed

approximately 50 tons of litter! Participants will receive t-shirts and snacks.

Earth Day Tampa BayUSF Botanical Gardens, TampaApril 20, 10am-4pm

This year’s event focuses on the importance of

fresh, local food. Enjoy green vendors, activities for

kids, and an exhibit of eco-friendly vehicles.

Earth Day 2013

Send us your photos!Send us a photo of your Earth Day activities and we will showcase it on our Facebook page. One winning photo will be selected to be featured in the next issue of Stewardship News!Send photos in jpeg format to katie@auduboninternational.org

Since 1970, Earth Day has been a great opportunity for communities to come together and participate in grassroots efforts to make the planet a healthier and more beautiful place. Here are some Earth Day events happening around the country. Check the internet or your local paper to find events in your area, or create an event of your own!

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New Members

ACSP for Golf

Ayodhya LinksBroad Run GolfBroken Arrow Golf ClubBurke Lake Golf CourseChicopee Country ClubClub Laval-sur-le-LacFirst Tee of Greater SacramentoGolf Club of DublinGolf Club of IndianaGreen Valley Country ClubGypsum Creek Golf CourseHarding Park Golf CourseKings Creek Golf ClubKunming Lakeview Golf ClubLake Forest Country ClubLakeview Yulongwan Golf ClubMeadowbrook Country ClubNorth Jersey Country ClubRedHawk Golf ClubRichland Country ClubRio Secco Golf ClubSailfish Point Golf Club, Inc.San Joaquin Country ClubSea Pines Country ClubStonebridge Golf ClubThe Golf Club at Timber TrailsThe Polo Club of Boca Raton POATowa Golf ClubTsai Hsing Elite ClubWhispering Firs Golf Course

Green Lodging Program

Atlantic Oceanside Hotel

Green Neighborhoods Program

Mediterra Community Association

Signature Program

Crescent SouthPark

Sustainable Communities ProgramRiverwood, Florida

New Certified Members

ACSP for Golf

Battenkill Country ClubCardinal Golf ClubCity Park Nine Golf CourseCountry Club of GwinnettD’Arcy Ranch Golf ClubHampton Hall ClubStonebridge Ranch Country Club at Dye RanchThe Everglades ClubTilden Park Golf Course

New Members and New Certified Members in 2013

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CourseVision is a product of GroundLinkx, the leading provider

of software solutions for golf course asset management.

AHEAD is a designer and marketer of branded headwear,

apparel and accessories.

John Deere is a world leader in agricultural, construction, forestry

and turf care equipment.

Lafarge North America is the largest diversified supplier of construction materials in the

United States and Canada.

Microsoft is committed to software and technology

innovations that help people and organizations around the world

improve the environment.

Ostara is a clean water company that recovers valuable nutrients

from used water streams.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the nation’s oldest technological university

and is well-known for its success in the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace.

Perfect Blend is a leading manufacturer of organic plant

food and incorporates a complete philosophy of advanced soil

nutrition.

Sediment Removal Solutions uses an extremely clean and cost-

effective way of removing the sludge and toxic gases without

interfering with wildlife.

Sonic Solutions is an environmentally safe technology

that uses the resonance of ultrasonic waves to kill algae.

Toro is a leading worldwide provider of innovative turf,

landscape, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation and

outdoor lighting solutions.

United States Golf Association is a global leader in the

development and support of sustainable golf course management practices.

Audubon International Sponsors

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Club Managers Association of America works with Audubon

International to educate, assist, and inspire club managers to become

stewards of the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency encourages environmental stewardship at golf courses through

the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program.

Equine Land Conservation Resource serves to preserve land and promote access for all types of

equestrian use.

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America promotes

environmental education and stewardship to the thousands of golf course superintendent members of

the association.

The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary initiative that designates and recognizes

lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserve and protect

Florida’s natural resources.

New York State Integrated Pest Management Program develops sustainable ways to manage pests and helps people to use methods

that minimize environmental, health, and economic risks.

Sustainable Landscape Integrated Pest Management Network is a coalition of educators promoting

integrated pest management practices.

The National Ski Areas Association’s primary objective is

to meet the needs of ski area owners and operators nationwide and to

foster, stimulate and promote growth in the industry.

New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association promotes and markets the Audubon Green Lodging Program to over 1,300 lodging and tourism members throughout New York State.

The Philadelphia Water Department provides seminars and program assistance to landowners and managers to better manage

stormwater runoff.

The Sonoran Institute inspires and enables community decisions

and public policies that respect the land and people of western

North America.

The First Tee is an international nonprofit youth development

organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to

young people.

Audubon International Affiliates

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120 Defreest Drive, Troy, New York 12180 | 518-767-9051 | www.auduboninternational.org

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