VANCOUVER PARKS GOLF Courses Complete Commitment to the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

Vancouver, B.C., June 25, 2009 – Vancouver Parks Golf Courses, Fraserview, McCleery and Langara, have retained their designation as “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. Vancouver Parks Golf courses were first designated as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries in 2003 and are three of the only eight courses certified in British Columbia. There are only 81 courses certified in all of Canada.

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, Mexico and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program.

“To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas,” explained Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation and Water Quality Management. Courses go through a recertification process every two years. For more information on golf and the environment, visit www.golfandenvironment.org.

Projects that the golf courses completed include a weed removal project with an emphasis on physical/mechanical solutions as opposed to chemical applications when not necessary, engaging local school groups in a bat house project and educating the community regarding environmental stewardship efforts taking place at the courses.

“This is a great success for our three Championship courses and our team of staff really put forward a great effort to ensure we minimize our ecological impact on the environment,” said Howard Normann, Supervisor of Golf Operations. “We remain deeply committed to the Audubon Program and look forward to remaining leaders in sustainability,” he added.

About Vancouver Parks Golf
Vancouver Parks Golf is made up of the Fraserview, McCleery and Langara Championship Golf Courses. Fraserview recently won bronze in the "Best Public Course in Canada" category, and was voted one of the "Most underrated golf courses in Canada" by the SCOREGolf Magazine Golfer's Choice Awards. McCleery boasts a very active junior instruction program which helps to get young people started in the game and has developed an inner city youth golf program that introduces the game to children of the Downtown Eastside. Langara Golf Course offers enjoyment with peace and tranquility in the heart of Vancouver. The course offers top notch greens that are well protected by bunkers providing a challenge for every level of golfer.
3 Great Courses…One Great Experience.

About Audubon International
Audubon International is a not-for-profit, environment education organization dedicated to educating, assisting and inspiring millions of people from all walks of life to protect and sustain the land, water and natural resources around them. Its award-winning education and certification programs, has helped more the 5,800 businesses, golf courses, schools, communities and new developments improve environmental performance and manage natural resources responsibly on more then one million acres of land. For more information, contact Audubon International at 518-767-9051 or acsp@auduboninternational.org or visit their website at www.auduboninternational.org.