Lake Tahoe Golf Course recognized for environmental excellence

Lake Tahoe Golf Course has retained its designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through its international program for golf courses.

Efforts were led by Golf Course Superintendent Bobby Jaeger to earn the recognition again.

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.

"LTGC 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 Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International.

Lake Tahoe Golf Course is one of over 900 courses in the world to hold certification from Audubon International. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Central America, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. The golf course was originally designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2003. After designation, courses go through a recertification process every three years.

“We see the site visit as an important component of a course’s recertification,” stated Kane. “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 behind the scenes to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them.”

"We hosted a site visit from Audubon international this spring where they essentially audit all of our environmental efforts to ensure we are doing what we say we are," said Jaeger. "It’s a very lengthy process. The site visit is required every three years and we passed to maintain our certification."

Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities.