Audubon International
Working Towards Certification 

We have EXCITING NEWS for those of you who love to play the Pusch Ridge Golf Course; those who live on or near the Pusch Ridge Golf Course; those who appreciate the wildlife habitat that the Pusch Ridge Golf Course provides; and those who wish to see the course enhanced, made more environmentally focused and the wildlife protected.

As of late June 2025, the Pusch Ridge Golf Course is a member of the Audubon International Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP).  The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, since 1991, has guided golf facilities in protecting natural resources and enhancing the environmental quality of their property. 

Darryl Janisse, General Manager of El Con Golf, submitted the application and fee for membership to ACSP in late June with approval from the Town of Oro Valley and encouragement from the board and advisors of The Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf (FOPRG).  The FOPRG leadership proposed support for the ACSP program to Janisse and his golf course Superintendent Jason Wolf in the Winter months and with the Town’s concurrence, applied for membership in June.  

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The initial Site Assessment and Environmental Plan has now been completed, so the collaborative team is now focused on the 6 areas to achieve to Audubon Certification by improving management practices in:  

1. Environmental Planning;

2. Wildlife and Habitat Management;

3. Chemical Use Reduction and Safety;

4. Water Conservation;

5. Water Quality Management; and

6. Outreach and Education.  

Now the real work begins

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses provides an educational service to help existing golf courses develop effective conservation and wildlife enhancement programs and achieve recognition for their efforts.  

Once a course has been recognized in all categories and received a site visit from Audubon International staff they are designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

So why is the Pusch Ridge Golf team joining this program?  

ACSP lists 4 major objectives why a course should work towards certification, and the Pusch Ridge Golf team has signed on : 

1. Enhance wildlife habitats on golf courses by working with the golf course superintendent and providing advice for ecologically sound course management. 

2. Encourage active participation in conservation programs by golfers, golf course superintendents, golf officials, and the general public, (to include water conservation).

3. Recognize the people who are actively participating in environmentally responsible projects.

4. Educate the public and golfing community about the benefits of golf courses and the role they play relative to the environment and wildlife.

Pusch Ridge will be joining an elite group of ACSP member courses in the Tucson area to include Sewailo, Starr Pass, and La Paloma.  Pusch Ridge stands alone as the only 9-hole course in the Tucson area working towards certification.  

There are over 2000 golf courses in the US and two dozen countries worldwide working towards ACSP certification.  

Achieving certification demonstrates an organization’s leadership, commitment, and high standards of environmental management.  It is an ongoing effort with annual renewal fees.

More information on the Audubon Project