Florida News

A Clarification on Golf Course “Certification”

By Jonathan Webber
Conservation Campaign Manager
Published March 11, 2011
This article is from ԹϺ Florida . Find ԹϺ near you here.

Legislation introduced in the Florida House and Senate last week proposes to site five golf courses by Jack Nicklaus in Florida State Parks. The preambles to the bills suggest Nicklaus’ previous courses were environmentally sensitive because they were endorsed by “ԹϺ International.”

ԹϺ International is an entity which is not related to the conservation organizations ԹϺ of Florida, ԹϺ or ԹϺ chapters in Florida, commonly referred to as “ԹϺ.” While some golf courses may work to reduce their “footprint” by limiting irrigation, limiting fertilizer use, and attempting to create habitat, ԹϺ does not certify them.

Read on for details.

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY STATEMENT ON AUDUBON INTERNATIONAL

New York, NY, The ԹϺ (ԹϺ) was founded in 1905 for the purpose of conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife, and their habitats. ԹϺ is supported by over 400,000 members with state offices, programs, and 500 chapters across the country.

ԹϺ receives many calls and letters from people who have confused ԹϺ with a different organization calling itself ԹϺ International.  Since its inception in 1991, ԹϺ International, funded in part by the United States Golf Association, has been certifying golf courses that pay an annual membership fee as ԹϺ Cooperative Sanctuaries.  Similar fee-based certifications are available from ԹϺ International to developers of cemeteries, municipal parks, campgrounds, resorts, stores, industrial facilities, marinas, residential communities and preparatory schools.

ԹϺ is not associated with ԹϺ International in any way.  ԹϺ does not certify golf courses, or any other development, as being environmentally sound.  Indeed, ԹϺ very often opposes such development.  Furthermore, ԹϺ sanctuaries are protected natural spaces for public enjoyment.  No ԹϺ sanctuary is certified for development.

We ask your cooperation and care in distinguishing between ԹϺ and ԹϺ International, and in clarifying that these various certification programs are not endorsed or supported by ԹϺ.