Audubon International is recognizing the environmental stewardship efforts of the Colorado Springs, Colo., club. The club obtained the designation by working to maintain wildlife habitats, conserving water, and utilizing pest management programs that withstand disease and weed pressures while reducing chemical inputs.

Though many golf courses get a bad rap for hogging finite water supplies, turfgrass on golf courses in South Florida helps send clean water to the Biscayne Aquifer by filtering out pesticides, chemicals and other pollutants. During heavy rains, courses can give back up to 15 times the total drinking water used in the course of two months.

The club has restored natural areas and wetlands and provided natural habitat and bird boxes along the creek, ponds and other areas of its property.