Business Value of Developing for the Environment
Becoming a certified Audubon Signature
Sanctuary saves money and natural
resources, according to a 2003-04 survey of
members of the Audubon Signature Programs. Members
considered operational costs, up front
investments, and the importance of the program
in marketing and promotion. Results include:
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90% of respondents reported that they believed annual maintenance
and operations costs for their facility were
either “lower than” or the “same as” the
costs of an equivalent, non-Signature member
golf course.
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43% of respondents felt that these operations and maintenance costs
were actually lower due to their
participation in the Signature Program.
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96% view their participation in the Signature Program as “a good
business decision,” with the remaining 4%
indicating that they “Don’t Know” at this
time.
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63% of respondents stated that participation in the Signature
Program, including upfront monetary and
staff investment in the program, has or will
save money, as compared to a course
designed, constructed, and managed without
Audubon International assistance, with 20%
of the remaining respondents stating that
they “Don’t Know” at this time.
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Finally, 90% stated that they believed the Certified Audubon
Signature Sanctuary status earned through
following the program guidelines has or will
have value in marketing and promotional
efforts, with the remaining 10% indicating
that they “Don’t Know.”
Cateechee Golf Club, GA:
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Saves 20% in electric costs and 30% in
overall operating costs, compared to
traditionally built and managed golf courses
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Uses more than 639 million gallons of
effluent water annually from the City of
Hartwell, which eliminates the need for the
city to discharge effluent water into a
local stream
PGA Golf Club, FL:
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Saved 25% in overall operating costs because
of the state of the art equipment and
practices promoted by the Signature Program
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Conserves 100 million gallons of water
annually by collecting runoff in 80 acres of
ponds created for water storage and wildlife
habitat
Bonita Bay East, FL:
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Saved $56,000 annually by reducing the
amount of turfgrass on its golf courses
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Saved $10,000 by using grass carp to control
algae in lakes, rather than using
traditional chemical control methods
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Saved two million gallons of water a year by
replacing turf areas with native plants and
eliminating sprinkler heads
Barton Creek Resort and Spa, TX:
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“In Austin, or anywhere in the country for
that matter, environmental stewardship is a
great business decision. Community outreach
and education is a benefit to establishing
our club as a role model for other
properties.” -- Anne Hickman-Hudgins,
Environmental Landscape Coordinator
PGA of America/PGA Golf Club in St. Lucie, FL:
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“Combining wildlife preservation and
development is not only the right thing to
do, but it makes good business sense.
Long-term operating costs can be
significantly reduced while providing
valuable environmental benefits to the
community. It is a business-environmental
partnership that serves everyone.” -- Jim
L. Awtrey, former CEO
Old Greenwood Golf Course, CA:
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“The concepts incorporated in the Signature
Program will absolutely pay for the cost of
what we’re doing over five to ten
years…We’ll have better managed water and
irrigation systems and use less chemicals.”
-- Bill Fiveash, Developer, East West
Partners
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