Audubon International
Encyclopedia
Audubon International is a not for profit 501(c)(3) environmental education
Environmental education
Environmental education refers to organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function and, particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and ecosystems in order to live sustainably. The term is often used to imply education within the school system, from primary to...

 organization based in Selkirk, New York
Selkirk, New York
Selkirk is a hamlet in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York. It is located south of the city of Albany, it is an suburb of that city....

. Established in 1987, the organization has helped thousands of developments, hotels and golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...

s in 30 countries to advertise and promote their "green" consciousness. It is the first organization to team up with the golf industry in educating members of the golf world about environmental issues and possible solutions.

The organization is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society
National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Incorporated in 1905, Audubon is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and uses science, education and grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission...

. Some have suggested that it is using the Audubon name to confuse consumers, potential donors and program members. The National Audubon Society sued
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...

 to prevent the organization from using the Audubon name, but in 1991 a judge ruled that the National Audubon Society did not hold an exclusive right to the name Audubon, and had not shown that the use of the name by Audubon International was causing confusion.

Vision and mission

Members of Audubon International work to protect land, water, wildlife, golf courses, hotels, and other developments.

Programs

There are several programs in the organization that help members and non-members alike to understand and help the environment.

Audubon Partners for the Environment

This program focuses on person or groups pledging to complete one environmental improvement project a year, which is then given in a report to the organization who will in turn send back an award for the accomplishment. Audubon International has a list of sample projects to give people an idea of what is involved.

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

This program focuses on helping companies and organizations learn about what they can do to help manage their surroundings that will in turn enhance their efficiency and conservation efforts. Audubon International will focus on many things, including: Energy and Water Conservation, Waste Management, Wildlife and Habitat Management and Outreach and Education.

Some of the developments that have received this certification are:
  • Bakery Feeds, Inc., Centre, AL
  • Aurora Sports Park, Aurora, CO
  • Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL
  • Griffin Industries, Inc., Florida
    Florida
    Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

  • Kapalua Land Company, Hawaii
    Hawaii
    Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...


Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses

Similar to the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, this program works solely with golf courses and helping them to create environmentally friendly areas while still having great places to play golf. It also focuses on: Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management and Outreach and Education. The entire process can take 1 to 3 years to complete.

There are over 2,110 golf courses that participate in this program in 24 countries.

Some of the courses that have earned this certification are:
  • Prairie Dunes Country Club
    Prairie Dunes Country Club
    Prairie Dunes Country Club is a golf course located just outside Hutchinson, Kansas. It is frequently ranked among the best golf courses in the United States, and has hosted several United States Golf Association national championship tournaments....

    , Hutchinson, KS
  • The Golf Club at Briar's Creek, Johns Island, South Carolina
    Johns Island, South Carolina
    Johns Island, also spelled John's Island, is the largest island in the U.S. State of South Carolina. It is one of the many Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina.-Background:...

  • The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WV
  • Gull Lake View, Augusta, MI
  • Lake Malaren Golf Club, Shanghai, China
  • Victoria National Golf Course
    Victoria National Golf Course
    Victoria National Golf Club is located in Newburgh, Indiana which is in the southwest part of Indiana. Victoria is an eighteen hole golf course that is owned by the Terry Friedman family. Victoria was constructed in 1996 by world famous designer Tom Fazio on land that was used for strip mines from...

    , Newburgh, IN
  • The River Club, Suwanee, GA
  • Westfields Golf Club, Clifton, VA

Audubon GreenLeafTM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels

This program works with hotels to ensure that they are using green practices in their upkeep and everyday running of the establishment. It helps with cost savings, conservation, cost avoidance and the ability to increase market share. It also awards one to five green leaves as part of its eco-rating.

Some of the hotels that have earned this certification are:
  • Hotel Sofitel
    Sofitel
    Sofitel is a luxury hotel chain managed by Accor, which opened its first property in Strasbourg in 1964. Its first overseas opening in Minneapolis, USA was in 1974. In 1995 Sofitel had 100 hotels in 40 countries and employed 12500 people....

     Chicago Water Tower, Chicago, IL
  • Resort, Cedar Grove Lodge, Huntsville, Ontario
    Huntsville, Ontario
    Huntsville is a town in the Muskoka Region of Ontario, Canada. It is located north of Toronto and south of North Bay....

    , Canada (4 Leaves)

Audubon Signature Programs

This program works with new housing developments and helps them to create living areas that are environmentally sound. There are three levels to this program: gold, silver and bronze with gold being the top of the list. After completing the program, a development can receive, among other things, certification as an Audubon International Sanctuary.

Some of the developments that have received this certification are:
  • Evergrene, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach, FL
  • Black Forest at Lake James, Morganton, NC
  • Oitavos Dunes, Portugal
    Portugal
    Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

  • Conserve School
    Conserve School
    Conserve School is a semester school for environmentally and outdoor minded high school students located in Land O' Lakes, Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States...

    , Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin

Audubon Classic Program

This program is similar to Audubon Signature Programs, but it is for established developments that are either being redeveloped or restored or simply want to make their areas more environmentally friendly. There are some minimum requirements and a development will not get certification until they pass a final audit.

Sustainable Communities Program

This program works with communities to ensure that they are great places to live, work and play. There are two different tracks: Public Sector and Private Sector. The public sector is geared towards the local government while the private sector is more for properties run by an association, landlord or other such private entrepreneur.

Some of the communities that have received this certification are:
  • Eufaula, AL

Other programs

In addition to these programs, Audubon International also participates in the following:
  • Nestbox Network
  • North American Birdwatching Open

Green Skiing

It was announced in November 2007 that Audubon International helped its first US ski resort become green. Stowe Mountain Lodge was built in 1937 and worked with the organization to become the first ski resort in the United States to earn the Audubon Green Community Award from Audubon International.

External links

Audubon International

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

Audubon GreenLeafTM Eco-Rating Program for Hotels

Audubon Signature Programs

Sustainable Communities Program

Miscellaneous

Articles
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK