Number 4 of 10 listed winners is none other than the Audubon Nature Institute.

"This report announces the recipients of the 2002 Don't Be Fooled Awards. American consumers are increasingly looking for products from companies that are environmentally responsible, but find it difficult to sort through the numerous claims corporations make in their advertisements and on their labels.

Earthday Resources for Living Green has released this report annually for the last ten years to call attention to the past year's worst greenwashers, corporations that have made misleading or false claims about the environmental benefits of their products and industries. "Don't Be Fooled" describes companies' greenwashing attempts as well as the truth behind their misleading claims. This year, ecopledge.com joins with Earthday Resources in releasing the report."

Of the Audubon Nature Institute, they say:

"Audubon Nature Institute says they agree that it is necessary to save habitat as well as clone species. However, the Institute is a member of the National Wetlands Coalition, a greenwash group bankrolled by big oil and land developers that lobbies to weaken the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. The Institute belongs to this organization along with such earth friendly companies as ARCO, the American Mining Congress, Chevron, Exxon, and the National Association of Homebuilders. Audubon Nature Institute's senior vice president and director of the Institute's Center for Research of Endangered Species (AICRES), Dr. Betsy Dresser, who also works with Advanced Cell Technologies, says that "saving habitat, which is not simple and is incredibly complex, is not going to save endangered species." Apparently for ANI, cloning is a much easier and less complex way to save endangered species, one that does not get in the way of development. Land development is something for which ANI has a vested interest; the institute is expanding their golf course through Audubon Park in New Orleans, Louisiana."

Audubon Park Golf Course, Opening Fall, 2002

"Why would a nature center have a golf course? Golf courses are bad for the environment and the pesticides used on them may drive more species into extinction. Making golf courses bigger is even worse. A larger golf course will take away green space and use more water and pesticides. And you thought the name Audubon is always synonymous with protecting birds."

The Full List of Winners

1. Kraft
2. Council for Biotechnology Information
3. Tyson
4. Audubon Nature Institute
5. Comanche Trace
6. Clairol
7. American Electric Power
8. Americans for Balanced Energy Choices
9. General Motors
10. ExxonMobil