- Whirlpool Golf Course officially achieves designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
- The prestigious Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary status recognizes Whirlpool’s commitment to sustainability improvements and environmental planning
- This achievement comes as Niagara Parks celebrates Whirlpool Golf Course’s 75th anniversary this year
- Media Assets are available here
Niagara Falls, ON – The Niagara Parks Commission is proud to announce that Whirlpool Golf Course has officially achieved designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, recognizing the course’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable golf course management.
Led by Niagara Parks’ Golf Environmental Technicians, the certification process was the culmination of years of environmental planning, habitat enhancement initiatives and sustainable operational improvements. With this achievement, Whirlpool Golf Course joins more than 900 certified properties worldwide recognized by Audubon International for their environmental excellence, including Niagara Parks’ Legends on the Niagara, which first received the designation in 2014 and was recently recertified for another three years.
“Whirlpool Golf Course has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property,” said Ken Benoit, CEO at Audubon International.
“To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas,” explained Benoit. These categories include Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
As part of the certification process, Whirlpool Golf Course demonstrated significant achievements in:
- Producing beneficial green spaces
- Promoting and protecting quality wildlife habitat
- Conducting maintenance practices responsibly
- Ensuring surface water is protected from pollutants
The designation comes during a milestone year for Whirlpool Golf Course, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026. Since opening in 1951 as Niagara Parks Golf Course, the Stanley Thompson-designed course has welcomed generations of golfers while maintaining a strong connection to the natural landscape of the Niagara River corridor. This latest recognition highlights Whirlpool’s enduring commitment to balancing exceptional golf experiences with environmental stewardship and conservation.
“I am proud of Whirlpool Golf Course’s recent designation of Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, a recognition that reflects Niagara Parks’ ongoing commitment to protecting and preserving the natural environment along the Niagara River,” said Graham Coveney, Chair of Niagara Parks. “As the course celebrates its 75th anniversary, this new designation comes at a time of renewal and restoration, reflecting ongoing investments to preserve the course’s historic character and return it to Stanley Thompson’s original vision.”
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, South America and Asia have achieved certification in the program.
Media assets are available here.
About Audubon International
Audubon International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Troy, NY. In addition to golf courses, Audubon International also provides programs for businesses, schools, communities, and new developments with the purpose of delivering high-quality environmental education and facilitating the sustainable management of natural resources.
For more information, call Audubon International at 1-844-767-9051 or visit www.auduboninternational.org.
Scott Turner, Director of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program
(517) 767-9051
Close and