Rio Verde celebrated Earth Day April 22 by receiving designation as an Audubon International Certified Sustainable Community.

Joanna Nadeau, associate director of environmental programs for Audubon International, made the presentation at a brief program at Rio Verde Country Club.

“Rio Verde is a great place to celebrate our interconnection with nature,” Nadeau said. “You are a small community and can have an impact as a leader. You can show how small changes can make a difference.”

The sustainable designation is not one that comes easy. Rio Verde has been involved with the program for five years. It is just the fifth community nationwide to receive the Certified Sustainable Community designation. It is the first one west of the Mississippi River.

With 735 acres of desert wildflowers, cacti and abundant wildlife that surround its residential areas and amenities, Rio Verde achieved certification by developing and implementing management practices and policies according to a community-driven Long Term Sustainability Plan (LTSP).

The LTSP included timelines and measurable goals addressing 15 focus areas, including wildlife conservation and habitat enhancement, water conservation, energy efficiency, health and transportation. Receiving designation as an Audubon International Certified Sustainable Community is contingent upon the quality and completeness of the LTSP and its implementation.

Sal Celona headed the Living Green in the Verdes committee which spearheaded the implementation of goals for the community.

Among the accomplishments at Rio Verde:

*Solar panels installed on the community center serve 25 percent of the building’s average energy demand, resulting in more than 250,000 kWh (and over $28,000) saved annually.

*Fifteen acres of turf on the golf courses were naturalized to desert landscaping, reducing water and maintenance requirements.

*More than 3 tons of citrus from residents’ trees annually donated to local food banks.

*The creation of a native plant landscaping palette for the Country Club and Community.

*An annual educational event held on practices and products for living green, which drew more than 100 residents.

“Rio Verde Community residents have worked enthusiastically to shape our community within the guidelines established by Audubon International,” said Gary Holcomb, President of the Rio Verde Community Association. “Our focus on preservation, conservation and sustainability will certainly benefit our current residents as well as those who will follow in their footsteps. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Audubon International.”

“I am delighted to be a part of this long, hard and difficult five-year effort,” Celona said. “This is a very prestigious award and outstanding recognition for our community. It is an historic and defining moment for the community.

“This is not a new concept for Rio Verde, we have been practicing for 40 years.”

Rio Verde Country Club is currently pursuing designation as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for the golf course.

Paul Miller, chairman of the greens and grounds committee for the club, outlined those efforts.

Miller said the club began its commitment three years ago and the efforts have included reduced energy use, reduction of carbon footprint by converting from gasoline to electric golf carts, removing 10 acres of turf and converting it to low-water desert landscaping.

That conversion is expected to save one million gallons of water per year.

They have also installed a stronger bermuda grass base in the turf areas. The initial transition included the elimination of overseeding with winter rye grass last fall. Miller said that alone saved 12 million gallons of water. All water used for golf course irrigation is reclaimed wastewater.

The golf course has also initiated a program to encourage golfers to bring their own water containers, which can be refilled with ice water on the golf course, eliminating the use of Styrofoam and paper cups on the course, which create trash.

“It is these small moves that contribute to the big picture,” Miller said.

He added that they have a target date of May 2016 to receive the Cooperative Sanctuary Certificate.