Marriott Golf announced the next property to become Audubon certified, as part of the Company’s efforts to ensure that all managed golf properties in North America and the Caribbean become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries by the end of 2008. Grande Vista Golf Club, a nine-hole golf course, 32-acre practice facility and part of The Faldo Golf Institute in Orlando, Fla., becomes one of eight Marriott Golf properties that have achieved certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses.
Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, which enable golf facilities to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats, are part of a systemwide commitment by Marriott International, Inc. (MAR:NYSE) to promote environmental stewardship. In order to achieve Audubon Certification, a golf facility is required to demonstrate that it is maintaining the highest degree of environmental quality in several areas including Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
Grande Vista works closely with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program to preserve the diverse wildlife, flourishing palmettos, and exotic wetlands of the property.Throughout the past year, Grande Vista has implemented a variety of programs to demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship. Highlighting the property’s efforts is the creation of a nature trail that runs throughout the property and hosts a number of native Floridian plants. Each plant is identified with a post that describes the plant in details and serves to educate guests. Moreover, Grande Vista has worked to provide habitats along streams and lakes that provide food and shelter for wildlife, and 35 acres of habitat area has been protected throughout the property.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program.