Audubon International Recognizes White Haven Memorial Park for 20 Years of Certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

White Haven Memorial Park Recognized for Environmental Excellence

PITTSFORD, NY – On June 28, 2018, Audubon International recognized White Haven Memorial Park for 20 years of certification as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary through its commitment to environmental stewardship and efforts to maintain a comprehensive environmental management program focused on wildlife and habitat management, water conservation, resource management, and outreach and education.

“We’re very proud to count White Haven Memorial Park among our members,” said Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International.  “They made environmentally sustainable property management an integral part of their operating principles long before it became an accepted option. Their leadership has already brought many benefits to their community over the past two decades and will continue to do so long into the future.”

To reach certification in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP), a property must maintain a high degree of environmental quality in several areas including: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Water Resources, and Resource Management. After designation, properties must go through a recertification process every three years.

White Haven Memorial Park was the first cemetery in the world to be designated as a Certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary in April of 1998. Through participation in the ACSP, White Haven Memorial Park has been involved in numerous environmental projects, including a bluebird program that has successfully fledged over 100 birds, the installation of bat houses to help increase bat populations in Western New York, and the creation of public use hiking trails to promote recreation and the enjoyment of nature.

“Over these past 20 years, White Haven Memorial Park has benefited tremendously from Audubon International’s guidance in managing our property with wildlife and the environment in mind. We’ve saved thousands of dollars by learning how to limit our use of herbicides and pesticides and by using resources such as water and electricity in the most efficient manner. We’ve also protected the wildlife on our property by maintaining natural areas,” said Andrea Vittum, President at White Haven Memorial Park. All in all, it has been a winning situation for wildlife and the environment, for the cemetery, and for the public that enjoys this beautiful place.”

White Haven has also developed two unique, earth-friendly burial options. The Nature Trail for cremation burial and the Bluebird Meadow for green burial use native plants, are free of herbicides and pesticides, and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. “I am so pleased that, with Audubon International’s inspiration, we have found a way to preserve our magnificent hardwood forest and bluebird meadow while also meeting the need for additional burial space,” said Harriett Neville, Board Chair at White Haven Memorial Park.

About Audubon International

Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, single properties, new developments, and entire communities. Through the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Program, Audubon International works to help organizations and businesses embrace environmental stewardship and sustainability as a central element of planning, policies, and practices. For more information, contact Audubon International at (518) 767-9051.

About White Haven Memorial Park

White Haven Memorial Park is Rochester, NY’s only memorial park. White Haven offers two earth friendly burial options; the Nature Trail, with sites located along beautiful forest paths, and the Green Burial site, located in a lovely wildflower meadow that is home to nesting bluebirds in the spring. White Haven Memorial Park was the first cemetery in the world to be designated as a Certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary in 1998. For more information, visit their website at http://www.whitehavenmemorialpark.com/.