Audubon Classic Sanctuary

Mirimichi is the first golf course in the United States to receive official Audubon Classic Sanctuary certification by Audubon International, a non-profit environmental education organization. The Audubon Classic Sanctuary Program is a new program created by Audubon International for properties that are being re-developed or going through a restoration for improvement.

To help achieve certification, Mirimichi worked closely with sustainability consultants from Audubon Environmental on the design, construction and long-term management of the golf course. Based on the Classic Program guidelines, the consultants helped establish procedures that added and integrated wildlife conservation, restored and enhanced natural habitats, established water conservation and water quality protection initiatives and thoroughly trained employees in environmental stewardship.

Some of the direct initiatives installed at the course include:

• State-of-the-art irrigation and drainage systems that re-use rainwater and maximize water management efficiency
• Enhanced native grass areas, waste bunkers and water features that reduce the maintenance footprint
• Increased lake area and creation of a re-circulating stream system that supports wildlife and water quality
• A new Natural Resource Management Center featuring state-of-the-art biodegradable treatment of rinse water