City of Austin Becomes Largest 'Community Wildlife Habitat' in the United States

Thursday, March 12, 2009

(National Wildlife Federation)

Submitted by Lacey McCormick , March 17, 2009

Kevin Coyle and Mayor Will Wynn
Kevin Coyle and Mayor Will Wynn
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Photo: City of Austin Public Information Office
Kevin Coyle presents Austin Mayor Will Wynn with the certification plaque
 
Ceremonial ladybug release
Ceremonial ladybug release
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Photo: City of Austin
Children from the Nature's Way preschool participated in a ceremonial ladybug release
 
A certified wildlife habitat
A certified wildlife habitat
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Photo: Cathy Nordstrom
Just of the 900 certified residences in Austin, TX
 
Austin, Texas has just become the largest city in the country and the first city in Texas to be certified as a community wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

In a ceremony on March 12, NWF's Kevin Coyle presented the mayor of Austin with a plaque recongizing the city's achievment.

“Birds, butterflies and other wildlife need this kind of help to survive and thrive in urban areas,” Coyle said. “This program does more than just create sorely needed wildlife habitat. It also educates and inspires people to think about other ways they can live in closer harmony with the natural world.”

More than 900 Austin residences are now Certified Wildlife Habitat™ sites. In addition, 15 businesses, 25 school grounds, 4 church grounds, and 14 parks have been certified through the program.

“I’m proud to be one of the more than 900 homeowners who have discovered that having a garden filled with birds and butterflies is hardly a sacrifice,” said Council Member Lee Leffingwell, who certified his own yard in 2007. “Our wildlife garden is an improvement to our house, and the fact that it saves water and requires less maintenance is a bonus.”