St. Johns Golf & Country Club—a St. Augustine, Fla.-based club owned by The St. Joe Company and managed by Billy Casper Golf (BCG)—has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for its high standards protecting the environment and preserving the natural heritage of golf.

According to the Audubon International conservation group , St. Johns is one of only five courses in the Jacksonville-area to achieve certification, joining the elite TPC Sawgrass, Amelia Island Plantation and The Palencia Club along with another BCG-managed layout, Bent Creek Golf Course.

In attaining certification from Audubon International, St. Johns’ 18-hole layout successfully maintains sound environmental practices in six key areas: environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction, water conservation, and water quality management.

“Through our work with Audubon International, our maintenance staff acutely understands the ecological impact of the course on our surroundings,” says Michael Stevens, Superintendent at St. Johns. “We’re providing golfers with healthier playing experiences while preserving wildlife habitats for future generations.”