Audubon International continues to see growth

Audubon International, the environmentally focused non-profit organization, reports that 2024 continued to see growth in new certifications across all of its programs.

Most new certifications were awarded in the golf and lodging categories, while nearly 300 recertifications were also awarded to existing partners, some of whom have maintained their certifications dating back to the 1990s. Programs include Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, ACSP for Golf, Green Lodging, Green Hospitality, Signature Sanctuary and Sustainable Communities. Each program provides third-party on-site verification of vetted, science-supported sustainable practices and benchmarks across all required categories. In the case of golf, that includes Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management and Outreach and Education.

“Once again, 2024 was a strong year for new certification growth across our suite of programs,” CEO Christine Kane said. “We are particularly heartened and proud to see deeper interest in and pursuit of certification in our Green Lodging/Green Hospitality programs, which reflects the industry’s acknowledgement of sustainable best practices as a business and market response necessity. Audubon International continues to lead the way helping golf courses, resorts, communities, and businesses of all kinds invest in a brighter future for the planet, and for all who coexist on it.”

While the ACSP for Golf continues as the organization’s flagship certification path with nearly 2,000 courses worldwide, Audubon International continues to build on its enhanced Signature Sanctuary Platinum level option for new projects–a comprehensive, overarching path that includes golf, lodging, other buildings and infrastructure.

Each year, Audubon International’s team of environmental specialists perform initial site visits at prospective certified properties as well as recertification visits across the country and internationally. They then provide feedback based on each venue’s location, resources, budgets and needs, help keep them on track through the process and sign off on new certifications and recertifications once all criteria are met. Timelines vary but can take up to a year or more. Once certified, each partner has powerful proof of their sustainability efforts to report to members, customers, managers, owners and other stakeholders.