Through the ownership of golf courses, we interact with various species, habitats, and ecosystems and recognize the importance of protecting biodiversity to support the sustainable development of our golf course properties. Each of our golf courses participates in The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf, sponsored by Audubon International, which is an education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment, preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf, promote environmental sustainability, and gain recognition for the efforts of golf course operators. In pursuing certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, our golf courses seek to implement environmental management practices that enhance existing natural habitats and landscaping to promote wildlife and biodiversity conservation. Our biodiversity programs at our golf courses include the evaluation of existing golf course elements to implement projects that encourage naturalized habitats for local flora and fauna by restoring native plant species, building and supporting habitats for local wildlife, and maintaining responsible landscaping and maintenance practices.

Strategy Snapshot: Restoring Naturalized Habitats

At both Grand Bear Golf Club and Chariot Run Golf Club, the teams have installed bird nesting boxes throughout the courses to encourage bluebirds and other local species and work with a local organization to monitor the success of this program. At Chariot Run Golf Club, more than 50 bird houses were installed with more than 125 birds fledged since installation.


Strategy Snapshot: Protecting Pollinators

In partnership with the Audubon Society, Chariot Run Golf Club planted plots of milkweed and nectar plants through the Monarchs in the Rough initiative across nearly an acre of landscape in 2024, in addition to the over 100 acres of natural habitat on the property. A groundbreaking program designed to support the conservation of monarch butterflies by transforming underutilized areas on golf courses into vibrant habitats, Monarchs in the Rough’s goal is to contribute to the restoration of monarch populations and biodiversity. At Grand Bear Golf Club, engagement with the Audubon Society inspired the installation of two bee hives on the property in 2024 to ensure suitable habitats for the local bee population to thrive and potentially produce honey for consumption. The team worked with one of the leading hive producers in Mississippi to learn more about hive development and beekeeping, and the hives are maintained by the on-site Cabot-Managed Properties team.

Last updated: September 8, 2025