(Troy, New York, September 16, 2025) – Audubon International – the environmentally focused non-profit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play — announces winners in three categories for its 9th Annual BioBlitz competition, sponsored by BioBoost Nest along with support from Seed King Enterprises LLC.
Taking top honors for Community Engagement is Glencoe Golf Course in Glencoe, Ill., with 83 participants identifying 113 species. Ironwood Golf Course in Byron Center, Mich, won the Biodiversity Award with an impressive 409 species counted, while Naples Lake Country Club in Naples, Fla., scored Best Photograph for Mike Powers’ stunning shot of an Eastern Blue Bird with Golden Polypod Fern on Sabal Palm.
The popular event, which took place May 15-June 15 attracted hundreds of nature lovers of every stripe as club members, school kids, local environmental group members and others came together, for a one-day event during the month, to observe nearly 1,300 species of flora and fauna thriving on Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf-certified and other member courses.
“Last year’s very strong competition set the stage for another successful event in 2025,” said Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International. “We continue to attract strong participation from our member courses, who once again brought their communities together to identify the amazing wealth of wildlife in their natural habitats and learn why golf courses are proven, committed leaders in environmental stewardship. As always, we salute every winner and value everyone who took part in this science-based fun.”
“Sponsoring BioBlitz is a natural fit for our company,” added Jody Fitzpatrick, CEO of BioBoost Nest. “We provide an eco-friendly system for managing ponds that is increasingly popular with golf courses committed to environmental sustainability. Our golf course customers embrace their role in preserving green spaces with low-chemical approaches that foster biodiversity.”
Overall, participants reported logging an impressive cross-section of 1290 species including 797 plants, 204 insects, 135 birds, 66 fungi and lichens, 29 mammals, 22 reptiles, 16 amphibians, 11 mollusks, and 10 fish. Results were compiled and confirmed by Audubon International’s team of Environmental Specialists, led by Alexandra Kellam.
Community Engagement Award: Glencoe Golf Club
Glencoe Golf Club, a Chicagoland course on the North Shore of Lake Michigan that was established in 1921, won first place after two third-place finishes in this category in previous years.
“The Glencoe Golf Club is thrilled to receive recognition from Audubon International as one of the top facilities in Community Engagement during the 2025 annual Bio Blitz,” said Stella Nanos, General Manager. “As we strive to embrace and integrate all of the standards set forth by Audubon International, Outreach and Education is a standard that carries on beyond the golf course grounds. Bio Blitz helps to convey the importance of milkweed, pollinator gardens, wildlife trees and other environmental features that support habitat for insects and wildlife. Our goal is to have every patron learn something about the benefits of the golf course to the environment and hopefully carry some of that education back to their own gardens.”
Biodiversity Award: Ironwood Golf Course
Family owned and fully public, Ironwood’s 14 BioBlitz participants tallied its 409 species on one day, averages out to nearly 30 species per person. Such is the commitment of a longtime BioBlitz participating course and Audubon International member.
“Winning the biodiversity award means so much to all of us at Ironwood,” said Kim Davidson, the course’s horticulturist, whose family has owned the course for nearly 50 years. “Our staff works hard every day to maintain a public golf course that not only provides quality playing conditions but also quality habitat for all the fauna in the area. We take pride in knowing that so many different species call Ironwood home, and we strive to bring that to our golfer’s attention. BioBlitz has been a great way for us to showcase our efforts over the years, including enhancing the course with native and pollinator plants and bird nesting boxes. If you plant it or build it, they will come!”
Best Photograph: Naples Lake Country Club
After taking the top spot for Biodiversity in 2024, Naples Lake Country Club in Naples, Naples Lake captured the Best Photo award for the first time.
“Naples Lakes CC has participated in Bioblitz for more than 10 years and their commitment to safeguard the environment shows in the multiple awards received in those years,” said Habitat Consultant Monica Higgins. “Staff and members work together to showcase the club’s effort to be good stewards. One of the members, Mike Powers, participates frequently and his photography skills are shared with all — as seen in the photo that won this year’s award.”
To learn more about BioBlitz and how golf courses, communities, lodging properties and resorts gain recognition for their environmental efforts, and to explore how to expand initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications, visit www.auduboninternational.org or call toll free: 1-844-767-9051
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About Audubon International
An environmentally focused non-profit organization, Audubon International offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play. Its certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both its members and their communities.
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