Windstar on Naples Bay Recognized for Environmental Excellence

NAPLES, Fla. - Dec. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Windstar on Naples Bay has retained its designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.

The golf course was originally designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1998, and is one of 113 in Florida and 869 courses in the world to receive the honor. Courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Central America, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program.

Participation is designed to help course personnel plan, organize, implement, and document a comprehensive environmental management program and receive recognition for their efforts. To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas including: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. After designation, courses go through a recertification process every two years.

"Windstar on Naples Bay has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Laura Karosic, Associate Director of Environmental Programs at Audubon International. We see the site visit as an important component of a course’s recertification. It provides an objective verification of some of the more visible aspects of the course’s environmental management activities. In addition, it offers an opportunity for golf course representatives to share publicly some of the voluntary actions they have taken to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them.”

About Audubon International

Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities.

For more information, contact Audubon International at 120 Defreest Drive, Troy, NY 12180, (518) 767-9051, e-mail at acsp@auduboninternational.org, or visit the website at www.auduboninternational.org.