Audubon Project History

2025 – 2026

 

The Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf (FOPRG) undertook this important Audubon certification project at Pusch Ridge Golf Course over the summer of 2025, along with El Conquistador Golf and the Town of Oro Valley. Project work began in October 2025, although planning and preliminary documentation had already started.

 

The course became a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) for Golf with the goal of gaining complete Audubon Certification. To do so, the course needs to adopt management practices in each of these six (6) areas:
 

1. Site Assessment & Environmental Planning

2. Wildlife and Habitat Management

3. Chemical Use Reduction and Safety

4.  Water Conservation

5. Water Quality Management

6. Outreach and Education
    

A Resource Advisory Group was formed to lead these efforts. Members include El Con Golf personnel, the director of Oro Valley Parks & Rec, members of the FOPRG board and selected volunteers. This group identified specific projects to be undertaken during this initial year. Those projects included:

 

• Hosting Golf Tournaments to raise awareness and fundraise for the projects.

  • Two tournaments were held in the 2025-2026 season, raising funds.
     

• Building owl, bat, or bird houses on or around the golf course. 

  • Eight Lucy’s Warbler boxes were installed, and others will soon follow.
     

• Identifying and labeling plants, cacti, and trees on the course.

  • Inventories were completed by volunteers. 
     

• Building a butterfly garden.

  • Two gardens have been planted and will be labeled.  The advisory team turned this into a case study to be submitted to ACSP.
     

• Creating materials that will solicit volunteers and funding.

  • These materials are on display in the Pro Shop of Pusch Ridge Golf Course.
     

• Photographing birds and wildlife on the course to continue building an inventory.
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These projects take funding. Many golf course neighbors contributed by purchasing bird nest boxes to be put around the course, and many made financial donations.  Others donated their time and talent, taking on some of the necessary tasks to achieve certification.  Tax-deductible donations of any amount help, and if you wish to volunteer your time and effort, please send an email to: puschaudubon@gmail.com.