SACO — A local golf course has received approval for its plan of environmental stewardship.

Biddeford- Saco Country Club, located at 101 Old Orchard St., Saco, recently received recognition for environmental planning from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. The international program is administered by Audubon International and is designed to help landowners preserve and enhance the environmental quality of their property. The program also recognized Golf Course Superintendent John Dion, who developed the plan.

Now that a plan has been approved, the golf course can apply for recognition from Audubon International in Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, and Outreach and Education after demonstrating that they have met minimum requirements for each category. Once the 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.

“The open space of a golf course is utilized not only by golfers, but is habitat for a variety of wildlife species,” said CEO at Audubon International CEO Christine Kane in a written statement. “We welcome Biddeford-Saco Country Club’s commitment to the environment and to managing the golf course with wildlife in mind.”

Golf club member Lisa Gorman said though golf courses are sometimes criticized about having a negative impact on the environment, the crew at the country club, under Dion’s leadership, has done a good job of respecting the environment while meeting what the golfers want on the course.

“It’s something members and the community can really be proud of,” said Gorman.

The golf club property spans about 185 acres in Saco and Old Orchard Beach with frontage along Goosefare Brook. Dion and fellow staff member Henry Nielson say they have seen a variety of wildlife on the property.

“The deer are pretty prolific,” said Dion.

They’ve also seen fox, otters, plenty of turkeys, a pair of nesting hawks, and on rare occasions, a coyote or a fisher cat.

As the country club works to implement the plan and gain other recognition from Audubon International, Gordon said, there has been a lot of support from club members as well as the general community. To attract birds, club members, Thornton Academy Golf Team members and others from the community showed up at the club on a recent Saturday morning and made a number of birdhouses.

“We’ve been surprised at how well it’s been embraced,” said Gordon.

Birdhouses are being installed around the golf course to attract blue birds and tree swallows. A bat house, a wood duck house and an owl house will also be installed. All birdhouses will be monitored. Native plants will be grown to attract hummingbirds and butterflies and kitchen staff will help monitor hummingbird feeders.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.