Hammock Dunes Joins Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program
Palm Coast, FL, June 20, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The private community of Hammock Dunes has become the sixth community in Florida to join Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program.
The Sustainable Communities Program provides a framework to merge economic and social considerations with the protection and enhancement of a community’s environmental characteristics. Audubon International serves as a catalyst for citizen-driven planning and community actions, and facilitates partnerships with governmental agencies, businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations that provide local support and assistance to reach the goals envisioned in the community. Working in this way, Hammock Dunes will take a big picture approach to community growth and environmental protection.
“When a community integrates principles of sustainability into its practices, they should be recognized for their leadership,” said Sustainable Communities Program Manager, Joanna Nadeau. “After the Hammock Dunes Club courses were certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, residents began to implement environmental stewardship throughout the community. These actions will preserve the aspects of life and assets in the Hammock Dunes community that make it a great place to live. The Sustainable Communities Program helps communities enhance their strengths and plan for the future where a healthy environment and high quality of life are ongoing priorities. This is the concept of sustainability, which Audubon International views as the foundation for quality communities of today and tomorrow.”
By joining and participating in the Sustainable Communities Program, Hammock Dunes joins six other private communities as a private sector member of the program. There are three stages in the multi-year certification process, during which Hammock Dunes will complete an assessment, define a long-term community vision, choose sustainability indicators as a mechanism for fostering action and measuring success, and implement its plan. The plan covers 15 focus areas, and members must choose timelines and measurable goals. After completing a vision plan and reporting progress on chosen goals, members of Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program are eligible for certification and designation as an Audubon International Sustainable Community, which recognizes dedication to the process of becoming a sustainable community.
Located just south of St. Augustine, Hammock Dunes is on the eastern coast of Florida not far from protected conservation areas and state park lands. The Hammock Dunes gated private community contains 1,200 units and includes the Hammock Dunes Club whose two golf courses are Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, further reflecting the community’s commitment to the environment. The Hammock Dunes’ Club Creek course was named one of America’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses by Golfweek in 2014.
Hammock Dunes’ 1000 acres includes abundant wildlife such as white-tailed deer, bobcats, fox, river otters, alligators and many bird species. Just off the beach is the calving ground for the endangered Northern Right Whale. Marge Rooyakkers, Hammock Dunes HOA Board Member and Sustainability Committee Chair, notes, “It is very rewarding working with Whitney Lab’s Whale Watch teams to record their numbers. We also coordinate with the Flagler County Turtle Patrol as our beach is nesting ground for endangered green sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles and sometimes leatherbacks.”
About Audubon International
Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities. Through the Sustainable Communities and Green Neighborhoods Programs, Audubon International works to help community leaders and stakeholders embrace environmental stewardship and sustainability as a central element of planning, policies, and practices.
For more information, contact Joanna at Audubon International at (518) 767-9051 ext. 124 or joanna@auduboninternational.org, or visit the website at www.auduboninternational.org.
The Sustainable Communities Program provides a framework to merge economic and social considerations with the protection and enhancement of a community’s environmental characteristics. Audubon International serves as a catalyst for citizen-driven planning and community actions, and facilitates partnerships with governmental agencies, businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations that provide local support and assistance to reach the goals envisioned in the community. Working in this way, Hammock Dunes will take a big picture approach to community growth and environmental protection.
“When a community integrates principles of sustainability into its practices, they should be recognized for their leadership,” said Sustainable Communities Program Manager, Joanna Nadeau. “After the Hammock Dunes Club courses were certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, residents began to implement environmental stewardship throughout the community. These actions will preserve the aspects of life and assets in the Hammock Dunes community that make it a great place to live. The Sustainable Communities Program helps communities enhance their strengths and plan for the future where a healthy environment and high quality of life are ongoing priorities. This is the concept of sustainability, which Audubon International views as the foundation for quality communities of today and tomorrow.”
By joining and participating in the Sustainable Communities Program, Hammock Dunes joins six other private communities as a private sector member of the program. There are three stages in the multi-year certification process, during which Hammock Dunes will complete an assessment, define a long-term community vision, choose sustainability indicators as a mechanism for fostering action and measuring success, and implement its plan. The plan covers 15 focus areas, and members must choose timelines and measurable goals. After completing a vision plan and reporting progress on chosen goals, members of Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program are eligible for certification and designation as an Audubon International Sustainable Community, which recognizes dedication to the process of becoming a sustainable community.
Located just south of St. Augustine, Hammock Dunes is on the eastern coast of Florida not far from protected conservation areas and state park lands. The Hammock Dunes gated private community contains 1,200 units and includes the Hammock Dunes Club whose two golf courses are Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, further reflecting the community’s commitment to the environment. The Hammock Dunes’ Club Creek course was named one of America’s Top 100 Residential Golf Courses by Golfweek in 2014.
Hammock Dunes’ 1000 acres includes abundant wildlife such as white-tailed deer, bobcats, fox, river otters, alligators and many bird species. Just off the beach is the calving ground for the endangered Northern Right Whale. Marge Rooyakkers, Hammock Dunes HOA Board Member and Sustainability Committee Chair, notes, “It is very rewarding working with Whitney Lab’s Whale Watch teams to record their numbers. We also coordinate with the Flagler County Turtle Patrol as our beach is nesting ground for endangered green sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles and sometimes leatherbacks.”
About Audubon International
Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities. Through the Sustainable Communities and Green Neighborhoods Programs, Audubon International works to help community leaders and stakeholders embrace environmental stewardship and sustainability as a central element of planning, policies, and practices.
For more information, contact Joanna at Audubon International at (518) 767-9051 ext. 124 or joanna@auduboninternational.org, or visit the website at www.auduboninternational.org.
Contact
Audubon International
Katie Hopkins
518-767-9051
www.auduboninternational.org
Katie Hopkins
518-767-9051
www.auduboninternational.org
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