All nine Montgomery County Golf (MCG) courses achieved “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary“status through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP).
The distinction places MCG courses among a group of 750 golf courses worldwide.
A course must demonstrate that it maintains a high degree of environmental quality in several areas to receive certification. Qualifications include environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.
The most recent certified courses were Falls Road in Potomac, Hampshire Greens in Ashton, Rattlewood in Mount Airy and Sligo Creek in Silver Spring.
MCG courses are a division of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority. The other courses operated by MCG are Needwood in Derwood, Laytonsville, Little Bennett in Clarksburg, Northwest in Silver Spring and The Crossvines in Poolesville.
The four courses recently certified qualified by providing wildlife habitats, protecting water features with vegetative buffers, utilizing low-maintenance grasses, conducting water-quality testing and educating golfers and the community regarding sustainability.
“This certification is not just an award, but a demonstration of our unwavering dedication to environmental preservation and sustainable practices,” said Keith Miller, the chief executive officer for the Revenue Authority, in a press release. “Our team’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing the natural beauty and biodiversity of our courses ensures a lasting legacy of sustainability.”
The Little Bennett course was the first MCG course to achieve certification, earning that status in 2000. Needwood celebrates its 10th year as a certified sanctuary course.
Audubon International is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit based in Troy, N.Y. In addition to golf courses, it provides programs for businesses, schools, communities and new developments to deliver high-quality environmental education and facilitate sustainable management of natural resources.
Photo courtesy MCG
