Sustainability Certification Programs now offered at no additional cost to Platinum Members

PALM HARBOR, Fla. - June 5, 2013 - PRLog -- As a mission-driven organization, ISC-Audubon has made it part of their core set of organizational values to be fiscally responsible both to themselves, their members, and society at large. In as such, ISC-Audubon is now announcing that they are now offering of their certification programs free of charge to ISC-Audubon Platinum Members.  These programs include; The Sustainable Golf Facility Program, The Sustainable Equestrian Facility Program, The Sustainable Landscapes Programs, The Sustainable Homes Programs, and the Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary Programs. These programs are now also freely accessible and downloadable in their entirety to the public, and are accessible via the ISC-Audubon website.

R. Eric Dodson, Executive Director of ISC-Audubon said, “Our organization is serious about fostering sustainability and we believe that all of our program materials and the various standards and requirements for certification should be publically available for download and use. We believe that these materials represent Best Management Standards for sustainability and everyone should have access to them for use where they live, work and play. The organization is able to provide all of the materials free of charge only through the support of memberships, sponsorships and contributions,” Dodson continued.

ISC-Audubon views public accessibility, review, and transparency as simply one of many things that set their programs apart from other certification programs.  Because their materials are freely available, and not kept as trade secrets like other existing certification programs, they continually receive feedback from the general public and experts alike on ways to improve upon their materials, programs, and the requirements.

It is ISC-Audubon’s view that any reputable non-profit organization who offers certification based upon standards should operate in this manner in order to retain credibility through true transparency.  

The basic objective of the ISC-Audubon Programs are to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, create healthy, productive environments, and inform the public, residents, guests, clients and employees about the benefits of sustainably managed places, and to help landowners to become more economically viable.

Through participation in the programs, ISC-Audubon assists facility managers, staff, and planners who desire to manage and operate themselves more sustainably. The programs are geared toward assisting those seeking to become local, regional, national and international models of sustainability by incorporating sustainable principles, concepts, and management strategies with in their operations.

“The importance of offering these programs for free to ISC-Audubon Platinum Members is a huge benefit.  For example, let’s say that a municipality becomes an ISC-Audubon Platinum Member; the community can then participate in our Bird City USA program, and they could attempt to obtain certification in our Sustainable Landscape Program for their City Hall, or multiple City Parks, and even if they maintain a Municipal Golf Course they could participate in the Sustainable Golf Facility Program… all free of charge.  But, even if they don’t chose to actually participate in any of our Certification Programs, just by being a Platinum Member the city is helping us make all of our materials available for public use and to help ISC-Audubon to continue to “Spread the SEEDS of Sustainability. It’s tremendous!” concluded Dodson.

All of the ISC-Audubon program materials can be found on the organization’s web site.  For information on becoming a Platinum Member of ISC-Audubon visit their website at www.isc-audubon.org