Leisure World’s 18-hole championship golf course recently retained its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.
Golf superintendent Frank McLaughlin and Audubon project manager Alan Nelson led the effort to maintain the course’s sanctuary status, which required meeting environmental expectations in five categories of criteria: wildlife and habitat management, water conservation, water quality management, chemical use reduction and safety, outreach and education.
“Overall, you appear to be doing a fantastic job implementing environmentally sustainable practices on your course,” states an Audubon report about the June 20 certification review. “We commend you for all your efforts.”
The course was specifically commended for promoting excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife and has installed and maintained purple martin and bluebird housing boxes.
Audubon originally awarded the course its designation in 2023. Recertification of the course runs through 2028, at which time Audubon International will conduct a recertification site visit at Leisure World.