CHARLESTON, SC – Membership has its privileges at the Daniel Island Club, but so do more than 100 species of birds, a healthy population of white-tailed deer, raccoons, fox squirrels and the occasional alligator that decides to sun itself along the island’s 23 miles of rivers and creeks. In recognition of the club’s environmental stewardship and protection of wildlife habitat, the Daniel Island Club has been designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System, the educational division of Audubon International, also recognized the Daniel Island Club’s Mike Fabrizio, director of grounds and maintenance; and Jason King, golf course superintendent, for their environmental leadership.
"The Daniel Island Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. It is to be commended for its efforts to protect the local watershed while providing a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Shawn Williams, Audubon staff ecologist.
The certification is based on environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.
The Daniel Island Club, which opened in 2000 and includes the Beresford Creek course designed by Tom Fazio and the Ralston Creek course designed by Rees Jones, is the 17th golf course in South Carolina and the 626th in the world designated as a Certified Audubon cooperative Sanctuary.
The Daniel Island Club gets high marks from environmentalists for its creation and maintenance of wildlife habitat. Maintenance practices around marsh, wetlands and lakes, along with the use of lake aerators, reduce the amount of chemicals needed to maintain turf and control algae. Use of wetting agents and a computer-controlled irrigation system also help conserve water.
"The Audubon certification is testament to the club’s goal to maintain our courses in an environmentally responsible manner," Fabrizio said. "It’s also further evidence of The Daniel Island Company’s commitment to the conscientious development of the island."
In 2003 the Daniel Island Club received one of only 10 "Building With Trees" awards of excellence from the National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing its commitment to tree protection during planning and construction of the Beresford Creek course.
Located within the City of Charleston, Daniel Island is one of the South Carolina Lowcountry’s preferred suburban addresses. This 4,000-acre island town features distinctive neighborhoods with a mix of home styles and prices and landscaped streets with sidewalks that encourage leisurely strolls and neighborly conversations. In addition to nationally recognized golf, tennis and soccer facilities, Daniel Island’s growing collection of amenities includes all of the essential components of a small town – schools, churches, medical offices, restaurants, boutiques, a modern supermarket and more. Access to hundreds of acres of parks, 23 miles of rivers and creeks with docks and boat ramps, bicycle and jogging paths, and a private in-town country club provide Daniel Island residents with a myriad of recreational options.
About Audubon International
Audubon International is a not-for-profit environmental education 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. By helping people make sound environmental decisions and actions, and building from individual to organizational, and eventually community-wide involvement, Audubon International seeks to foster more sustainable human and natural communities. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs were created to provide information and guidance to help people preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources where they live, work and play. Currently, Audubon International has program members throughout the United States and in more than two dozen countries. For more information, contact Audubon International, (518) 767-9051 or go to www.auduboninternational.org.
Contact:
Bill Bryant
(678) 366-3232
bbryant@bryantcomm.com
Julie Dombrowski
(843) 971-3531
j_dombrowski@danielisland.com
