Pinelawn makes history with global honor for environmental excellence

Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum just made history — and Suffolk County took notice.

The Farmingdale cemetery was officially recognized as the first in the world to earn a “Certified Audubon Classic Sanctuary – Gold Level” designation from Audubon International, a nonprofit known for its strict environmental standards. It now joins just one other site in the entire country with that distinction: Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton, Fla..

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine helped mark the moment on Sunday by proclaiming June 9 as “Suffolk County Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum Day.”

“Pinelawn is truly a place of great beauty. Everyone here today can understand why the Audubon Society has honored them,” Romaine said during the ceremony. “You come here, surrounded by the beautiful trees and flowers, and you are immediately put to rest with a sense of serenity.”

Pinelawn’s team has been working for years to turn its sprawling property into a model for sustainability. Some of the major changes include replacing underground fuel tanks with above-ground versions, installing a water-recycling washdown station, using a weather station to cut down on water waste, and enhancing local wildlife habitats with buffer zones and educational programming, according to a press announcement.

“Our goal is to minimize our impact on the environment while making our grounds a place of peace and beauty for all those who visit,” said Justin Locke, president and CEO of Pinelawn. “We are extremely proud to be the first memorial park to be recognized globally for environmental excellence.”

To earn the Audubon title, Pinelawn had to show success across several categories, including habitat management, chemical use reduction, water conservation, and community outreach.

“This important certification is a testament to our team’s hard work and the legacy we continue to build for the community,” Locke said.

Click here to learn more about the park’s green initiatives.

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Top: Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum (Facebook). Inset (R-L): Justin Loche, president and CEO of Pinelawn, County Executive Ed Romaine and a presenter from Audubon International. (courtesy photo)