Workers at Illahe Hills Country Club have worked to improve wildlife habitat and conditions, earning a national citation from Audubon International. (Kassi Roosth)
A special focus on improving wildlife habitat and teaching about nature has earned Illahe Hills Country Club a national designation from Audubon International.
Audubon recently recognized the Salem golf club as a “certified Audubon cooperative sanctuary.” Only 19 other golf courses in Oregon have such certification.
“Illahe Hills Country Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program,” according to a statement from Christine Kane, Audubon International CEO. “They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property.”
Through the Audubon Program, Illahe added more nesting boxes, added native plants, removed invasive weeds and improved pond aeration. Golf course employees also updated sprinkler heads and changed how they handle chemicals.
The club also hosted nature education events for children and adults, according to an Audubon press release.
“Clubs often overlook their outreach and education programs, however, this does not appear to be the case at Illahe Hills Country Club,” an Audubon reviewer wrote. “We are so pleased to see you involve staff, membership, and the community in so many initiatives.”
Earlier this week, children gathered at the wildlife garden, certified through the National Wildlife Federation, to add plants and mulch made from chips of trees damaged during last winter’s ice storm. Next month, a state wildlife biologist will help them conduct fish surveys to determine what kind of fish are in the golf course ponds.
And from May through November, club residents and members of the Salem Aubudon Society conduct monthly bird surveys. At last count, 92 species were on the grounds.
Audobon International credited Kassi Roosth, Illahe’s education and outreach coordinator, for leading the work to get the national certification.
The private club was founded in 1959 by Reynolds Allen, Erwin Batterman, Chandler Brown, Carl Gerlinger, Vern McMullen, Owen Miller, Vern Miller, Merritt Truax and Bruce Williams. The course, about five miles southwest of downtown Salem, opened for play in 1961.
–Les Zaitz
