The Links at Fancourt gets Audubon Environmental Accolade for second time

The Links at Fancourt in South Africa is proud to yet again be designated as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary"  - one of only two courses in South Africa that meet the requirements for this prized conservation accolade.

Fancourt’s commitment to the environment and preservation of wildlife at The Links has earned this prized golf course recertification of its status as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, awarded by the international Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

The Links and the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club are the only  two courses in South Africa with Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary status, and are among over  2200 golf courses from across the globe to have enrolled in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. Only 889 of these have been designated as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.

The Links first earned this important conservation accolade in 2011, by demonstrating its dedication to environmental responsibility within designated categories that include Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Water Conservation, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Quality Management, as well as Outreach and Education.

The recertification of The Links was largely determined by an on-site visit and evaluation by local Audobon reviewer Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services, an organization with over 40 years of experience in this field. He cited The Links as an outstanding example of how golf courses can contribute to the conservation of nature in the golf course area. He commended Golf Course Superintendent for The Links, Spencer Cooper and his team for their concerted efforts to preserve the wildlife and naturalized areas throughout the course, and for providing valuable food and habitat for local and migratory wildlife on the property. His report stated that ‘a truly environmentally responsible approach to management, guided by an up-to-date environmental management plan is certainly exemplary in the field of sensitive golf course management’.

Among the course’s environmental management activities highlighted, were the use of signs indicating sensitive wetland habitat areas to promote awareness of conservation issues to golfers; the innovative techniques applied to conserve water - including hand watering and targeted irrigation to eliminate wasteful water use; the secure, neatly organized, and clean maintenance facility; the integrated pest management program; and especially the use of vegetative buffer strips along all course water features, along with the creation of wetlands. Coetzee also praised efforts to communicate and promote environmental projects to members, homeowners, staff, and guests of The Links, as well as to local conservation and school groups.

Says Cooper: ‘The Links team is honoured to receive this important recertification that recognizes the positive impact our golf course is making on the environment.   We will continue to do everything we can to show the industry and the country that if a golf course is managed correctly it can be a huge benefit to the environment’.  Earlier this year 300 indigenous trees and shrubs were planted around the outer perimeter of The Links to attract a wider and even more diverse range of bird species onto the resort. This has already had a great positive impact on birds and wildlife in the area. The project dovetailed with the introduction of an Environmental Management System that Fancourt introduced in 2008, that is widely applied to all aspects of its business operation. Focus areas include management of invasive alien vegetation species; waste, water and electricity management, as well as providing a safe habitat for wildlife along streams and lakes, and educating golfers about the importance of natural areas.

Audubon International is an environmental 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. In addition to golf courses, Audubon International also provides programs for schools, businesses, communities, and individuals. It is endorsed by the United States Golf Association.

For more information please visit www.fancourt.co.za  and follow us on Twitter on @FANCOURTSA or contact Fancourt on +44 804 0010 or reservations@fancourt.co.za.  High res images can be downloaded: http://gallery.ethosmarketing.co.uk/gallery/Fancourt   

Claire Roadley
Marketing & PR Manager
Ethos Marketing®
Unit 5, Field Place Estate, Byfleets Lane, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, RH12 3PB
Tel: 44 (0)1403 243619
claire@ethosmarketing.co.uk
http://www.ethosmarketing.co.uk
Twitter: @ethos_marketing / @claireroadley
http://www.facebook.com/EthosMarketing

Ethos Marketing is the UK Sales, marketing and PR office for:

The Blue Train - South Africa
Garonga Safari Camp - Limpopo Province, South Africa
Motswari & Geigers Camp - Greater Kruger National Park,South Africa 
Fancourt - Garden Route, South Africa
Mont Rochelle - Franschhoek Winelands, Western Cape, South Africa
Majeka House - Stellenbosch, South Africa
Newmark Hotels - Cape Town, Motswari in Kruger and Coral Lodge in Mozambique 
Steenberg - Cape Town, South Africa
ZuluRoute.com  - KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Isandlwana Lodge - KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Fordoun Hotel & Spa - KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Ghost Mountain Inn - KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Thula Thula Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Serena Hotels - Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda & Rwanda 

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