Audubon - Rockland Country Club

Rockland Country Club was the first Country Club in Rockland County and an early leader in the three state local area to initiate and then obtain Audubon International certification in 1997. To secure such certification, the Club had to prepare and implement plans that accomplished the following and be subject to annual review of compliance by Audubon International.

1. Resource Inventory and Environmental Plan. Our goal was to increase the number and variety of birds and wildlife that use our property by improving natural habitats. Over 15 acres of wild flower areas and wild grass safe havens were established to reduce the area requiring active agronomic measures (mowing, fertilizing etc). Drainage improvements to control water run off and soil erosion were made and an aggressive tree planting program implemented.

2. Water Conservation and Quality - The Club committed to minimize the consumption of water, largely through the establishment of 15 acres of native and wildflower areas that require minimal water. We also reduced the frequency of pesticide and other applications to use only when absolutely necessary and use chemicals approved by Audubon with much shorter lives to protect ground water and runoff streams into our ponds.

3. Wild Life Habitat - More than 50 birdhouses and platforms for owls, purple martins, blue birds, osprey, wood ducks and other birds have been placed on our course. They are cleaned and maintained regularly. Marsh reeds and cover have significantly increased the number of water loving birds and we continue to increase our fresh water streams and ponds to encourage their visitations.

4. Integrated Pest Management - These are a series of agronomic practices that encourage habitats for insect eating birds over pesticide applications.

5. Outreach and Education - Over the years, we have recruited Boy and Girl Scouts as well as local schools to plant trees, shrubs and wild flowers as well as set up bird houses. We need to improve on our outreach programs and get better community awareness of our projects and the need for community participation.

The result from these efforts are that our annual bird counts have increased each year and now exceed 55 different species.