Mountain Golf Course at Incline Village Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Apr 12, 2008

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PR/Marketing Coordinator
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:            Joellen Zeh

                        Audubon International Program Manager

                        (518) 767-9051 ext. 14

Mountain Golf Course at Incline Village Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Incline Village, NV- The Mountain Golf Course at Incline Village has retained its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by Audubon International. The Audubon program that promotes ecologically-sound land management and the conservation of natural resources on established golf courses. 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.

“Mountain Golf Course at Incline Village 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 Joellen Zeh, Audubon International Program Manager.

Mountain Golf Course at Incline Village is one of three courses in Nevada and 643 courses in the world to receive the honor. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. The golf course was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2004. After designation, courses go through a re-certification process every two years.

This year, the re-certification process, coordinated by Shaun Riley, Superintendent at Mountain Golf Course at Incline Village, required a visit by a local community representative. Matt Vitale, Senior Program Manager- Water Resources for the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District, was given a tour of the course and sent his observations to Audubon International.

Vitale states, “While walking on the golf course, I still had the impression I was in a mountainous forest setting. After learning the water quality and conservation practices done at the course, I have full confidence the Mountain Golf Course staff are doing their part to keep Lake Tahoe clean and clear.”

“We see the site visit as an important component of a course’s re-certification,” state Zeh. “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.”

Audubon International is an environmental organization dedicated to educating, assisting, and inspiring millions of people from all walks of life to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them. In addition to golf courses, the Audubon International also, provides programs for schools, businesses, communities, and individuals. For more information, contact Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them via the Internet at acss@auduboninternational.org, or visit their website at www.auduboninternational.org. For more information on golf and the environment, visit www.golfandenvironment.org.

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