Take the habitat challenge
For Immediate Release
April 29, 2008
The City of Austin and National Wildlife Federation challenge the city's neighborhoods to create homes for wildlife
The City of Austin is challenging Austin neighborhoods to certify the most number of yards within their boundaries as wildlife habitats. Participating neighborhoods will have the chance to win the challenge and help Austin earn points towards becoming certified as Texas' first National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat.
April 29, 2008
The City of Austin and National Wildlife Federation challenge the city's neighborhoods to create homes for wildlife
The City of Austin is challenging Austin neighborhoods to certify the most number of yards within their boundaries as wildlife habitats. Participating neighborhoods will have the chance to win the challenge and help Austin earn points towards becoming certified as Texas' first National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat.
The Parks and Recreation Department's new Wildlife Austin program is sponsoring the challenge. Wildlife Austin is an initiative to educate and assist Austinites in the creation of wildlife habitats to benefit its people, wildlife and biodiversity.
It's easy to create wildlife habitat! Yards that provide food, water, cover, places to raise young for wildlife and practice sustainable gardening practices are eligible for NWF wildlife habitat certification. Creating habitat is as simple as planting native plants that provide nectar, pollen, seeds, and berries year round, including a reliable water source to attract a variety of critters, and providing places for cover and rearing young such as planting evergreen shrubs, leaving brush and rock piles or putting up a birdhouse.
How neighborhoods can participate: The Neighborhood Habitat Challenge begins May 1st and ends October 31st 2008. The top three neighborhoods that have met all the challenge criteria and certified the most number of habitats will be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Neighborhoods that take the challenge must also organize a community invasive plant removal and promote gardening for wildlife through neighborhood newsletters and websites in addition to certifying the highest number of yards as habitats during the contest period.
Residents can certify their yards by visiting the National Wildlife Federation's website, www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife color=#000000> or can request a pre-paid habitat certification application (limited quantity) from the Wildlife Austin program: 327-8181 x29 or www.keepaustinwild.com color=#000000>.
Contact:
Contact:
Alice Nance, Wildlife Austin Coordinator, at alice.nance@....
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