The City of Asheville and Commonwealth Golf Partners, the operators of Asheville Municipal Golf Course (Muni), are delighted to announce that the historic municipal property is now certified as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary.
The recognition comes after extremely successful community participation in Audubon International’s BioBlitz over the past two summers. This species-counting competition is designed to showcase the environmental value of the natural habitats found on golf courses.
Along with outreach and education, proven action to support the environment is a major consideration for certification. This certification recognizes 18 months of diligent efforts by the course management team as they undertoo
k measures to better serve the course and its surrounding environment. Asheville Muni now has an in-ground soil sensor system to monitor moisture. By better monitoring when and where to water, the course has realized a 50% decrease in annual water consumption. In 2025, a fertilizer plan based on frequent soil testing and the use of weather forecasts to predict nitrogen release from the soil was implemented. That approach reduced fertilizer needs by nearly 20%. Teams have taken special care in the removal of invasive species around the course and the reintroduction of native plants. All these measures not only enhance the course and make it more sustainable, but also embrace the goal of rebuilding from Helene with resilience.
“Asheville Municipal Golf Course has long been a beloved community asset, and achieving certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary highlights our equal commitment to being a vital asset to our local environment,” said Chris Corl, director of Community & Regional Entertainment Facilities with the City of Asheville. “We are thrilled by what our team and community partners at Friends of Asheville Muni have accomplished, and we look forward with great excitement to participating in future BioBlitz events and continuing our environmental stewardship for years to come.”
Neighbors helping Neighbors
Special thanks goes out to the neighbors of Beverly Hills, led by community volunteer Melanie Bowen, who identified the opportunity, applied and received over $29,000 in grants, awarded through the City of Asheville Neighborhood Matching Grant Program and a $19,000 funding commitment from the Fairways Foundation to promote native plant installation over 1.5 acres at the course. These areas include a pollinator garden and kiosk above the 11th green along Fairway Drive and a native plant installation funded by the Fairways Foundation in the wooded area between holes 13 and 14.
Friends of Asheville Muni
FOAM plays a vital role in the support of the historic golf course. Supporting youth programs, course improvements, and expenses related to the Audubon certification, FOAM is an integral partner in maintaining Muni’s place in the community.