Daniel Island Club Earns Audubon Certification

Membership has its privileges at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C. But so do more than 100 species of birds, a healthy population of white-tailed deer, raccoons, fox squirrels and the occasional alligator that decides to sun itself along the island's 23 miles of rivers and creeks. In recognition of the club's environmental stewardship and protection of wildlife habitat, the Daniel Island Club has been designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System, the educational division of Audubon International, also recognized the Daniel Island Club's Mike Fabrizio, director of grounds and maintenance, and Jason King, golf course superintendent, for their environmental leadership.

"The Daniel Island Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. It is to be commended for its efforts to protect the local watershed while providing a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Shawn Williams, Audubon staff ecologist.

The certification is based on environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.

The Daniel Island Club, which opened in 2000 and includes the Beresford Creek course designed by Tom Fazio and the Ralston Creek course by Rees Jones, is the 17th course in South Carolina and the 626th in the world designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

The Daniel Island Club received high marks for its creation and maintenance of wildlife habitat. Maintenance practices around marsh, wetlands and lakes – along with the use of lake aerators, reduce the amount of chemicals needed to maintain turf and control algae. Use of wetting agents and a computer-controlled irrigation system also help conserve water.

"The Audubon certification is testament to the club's goal to maintain our courses in an environmentally responsible manner," Fabrizio said. "It's also further evidence of the Daniel Island Company's commitment to the conscientious development of the island."

In 2003 the club received one of only 10 "Building with Trees" awards of excellence from the National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing its commitment to tree protection during planning and construction of the Beresford Creek course.