Seventh annual competition documents large diversity of species living on golf courses
Troy, New York – Audubon International – the environmentally focused non-profit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play — reports that nearly 500 volunteers visited golf courses worldwide this summer to participate in its 7th annual BioBlitz after a three-year Covid-19 hiatus. They identified and recorded more than 3,000 species of animals and wildlife.
This event, which took place over the month of June this year, provides a unique opportunity for golf courses to engage their community members in activities designed to showcase and record the abundance of wildlife thriving on course landscapes across the US and Canada.
“Audubon International’s annual BioBlitz is a great way for golf courses to create an awareness among society of their wildlife habitat value, especially in urban locations,” says Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International. “It’s also a wonderful opportunity for community members from all walks of life to meet and learn about nature while getting outside and having fun.”
Volunteers included a remarkable combination of men’s, women’s, and junior golf league members, scout troops, local birding groups, club members, golf course employees, community members from surrounding neighborhoods, entire families, school children, and other nature enthusiasts.
For most participants, BioBlitz is key to keeping a course’s admirable stewardship efforts front and center in their relationship with the surrounding community. At the University of Maryland Golf Course, it also adds a valuable educational dimension for students of all ages — and opens new avenues of school outreach. “With this first event completed we are now developing ways to run smaller versions of the BioBlitz for our PGA kids and local high schools,” said Laura Russell, the university’s General Assistant. “We found it to be a fun activity with educational benefits and environmental value. This is just another way to be a leader among university golf courses, using the education resources of our faculty and students to improve the environment and strengthen community connection.”
Florida’s Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club enlisted a wide range of community members on their way to identifying an incredible 607 species on their course — the most of any BioBlitz participant. Said Mary Hutchinson, 2023 BioBlitz Co-Coordinator, “Getting the word out early was important and done through different communication methods. We used direct emails to groups such as local birding groups as well as our members. We also prepared a BioBlitz pamphlet and scorecards based on Audubon International’s model and distributed hard copies at various locations around the community and in digital form online. We also targeted key individuals and naturalists who were knowledgeable with wildlife, plants, birds, reptile, mammals and the like. Our members had a blast participating in the 2023 BioBlitz and it helped to showcase the rich and diverse ecosystem that we all call our golf community home.”
To learn more about BioBlitz, how golf courses, communities, lodging properties or resorts gain recognition for their environmental efforts, and to learn how to expand initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications, visit www.auduboninternational.org or call toll free: 1-844-767-9051
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About Audubon International
An environmentally focused non-profit organization, Audubon International offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play. Its certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both its members and their communities.
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