Media Contact: Tom Isaak
Phone: (707) 763-0335
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Phone: (707) 763-0335
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SAN JOSE, CA - Los Lagos Golf Course, managed by CourseCo, Inc. under contract with the city of San Jose, has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), the educational division of Audubon International. Alan Andreasen, CGCS, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Aududon International. Los Lagos Golf Course is the fifth course managed by CourseCo, Inc. in Northern California, the 30th course in California, the fourth in the San Francisco Bay area, and the 494th in the world to receive the honor.
"Los Lagos Golf Course has shown strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to a provide sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Joellen Zeh, Program Manager for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.
"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Zeh. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
"Los Lagos is in a wonderful location along Coyote Creek with the largest riparian habitat remaining in the metropolitan San Jose area," stated Ray Davies, CGCS, Director of Golf Course Maintenance and Construction at CourseCo, Inc. "The golf course design required many revisions over a period of years, to provide adequate protection for this important habitat. Riparian habitat is critical for raptors, birds of prey; we all love to see red-tailed hawks and kestrels but often do not realize their dependence upon this now limited habitat. Alan Andreasen, CGCS, and his staff have shown a sincere commitment to the management of this important resource. In addition, they have developed interpretive signage and a brochure to educate golfers about the many environmentally unique aspects of the site and the wildlife that call it home."
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses in the United States, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. Audubon certified courses in the San Francisco Bay area also include: Crystal Springs Golf Club in Burlingame, Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco, and Silver Creek Valley Country Club, also in San Jose.
In addition to golf courses, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System also provides programs for schools, individuals, and businesses. For more information, contact Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit their website at www.audubonintl.org.