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Mexican Hat
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Eastern Screech Owl
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American Beautyberry
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| Upcoming Events |
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| Austin is the first Texas Certified Community Wildlife Habitat! |
Since March 2007, the City of Austin has been working diligently to achieve National Wildlife Federation (NWF) community level certification. On March 12, 2009 Austin was recognized as a certified community during the Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Ceremony.
“Two years ago, the City Council expressed our intent to have Austin become the first certified Community Wildlife Habitat in Texas,” Mayor Wynn said. “Austinites surpassed even the highest expectations and created hundreds of unique wildlife habitats, not only creating spaces for flora and fauna to thrive but also helping us deliver on our goals for climate protection, water quality and water conservation.”
Not only is Austin the first certified city in Texas it is also the largest metropolitan area in the nation to earn this distinguished title from NWF. Austin succeeded in earning more than 1,500 of the 1,000 total points required to certify and certified over 900 wildlife habitats throughout the city.
The Community Wildlife Habitat project is part of NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program. These projects benefit the entire community of plants, wildlife, and people through the creation of sustainable landscapes that require little or no pesticides, fertilizers, or excess watering.
To date, thirty-one other communities across the nation have been recognized with the Community Wildlife Habitat certification including Broward County, FL; Arlington County, VA; Sonoma County, CA; and Bloomington, IN.
Since 1973, NWF has provided millions of people with the basic guidelines for making their landscapes more wildlife-friendly. There are over 113,000 certified habitats nationwide and approximately 6,025 in Texas and 1,038 in Travis County.
For more information on NWF Community Wildlife Habitat certification visit www.nwf.org/community
Press Release
Certification Accomplishments
Map of NWF Wildlife Habitats
Austin certified by National Wildlife Federation as first Texas Community Wildlife Habitat.
(L-R: Kevin Coyle, NWF Vice President for Education & Mayor Will Wynn)
(L-R: Council Member Lee Leffingwell, Sara L. Hensley Director of Parks & Recreation Department, Mayor Will Wynn, Kevin Coyle NWF Vice President for Education, and Susan Kaderka Regional Executive Director of NWF South Central Regional Center)
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Take the Habitat Challenge |
Neighborhood Habitat Challenge April 15th- November 15th 2009
The City of Austin and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) are once again challenging Austin neighborhoods to certify the most number of properties within their boundaries as wildlife habitats. Last year’s first-ever Neighborhood Habitat Challenge was so successful that the city is reissuing the challenge with the goal of engaging even more communities in an effort that takes our local wildlife and their habitat needs into consideration.
2008 Neighborhood Habitat Challenge Winners: 1st place Jester Estates, 2nd place Allandale, 3rd place Highland Park West Balcones Area.
Habitat Challenge Partners
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| Certify Your Yard as a Wildlife Habitat! |
To learn more about turning your yard into a Wildlife Habitat, visit the National Wildlife Federation's Website.
| How Wildlife Habitats Benefit Austin |
- Preserve Austin's natural beauty and distinctive biodiversity
- Improve Austin's quality of life for people and wildlife
- Sequester carbon and reduce the need for air-polluting maintenance practices, such as lawn mowing, through the use of native plants
- Help people deepen their understanding of nature and increase their connection to the outdoor world
- Save money on water and yard maintenance bills
- Improve area water quality by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
| Why should I create a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat? |
- It's fun! Watching wildlife in action can be fun and relaxing for everyone. Your habitat may attract beautiful songbirds, butterflies, frogs, and other interesting wildlife for viewing from your very own window.
- Curb appeal! Replacing grass lawns with native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees will increase the beauty of your property and provide a nurturing refuge for wildlife.
- Bring wildlife a home! Restoring habitats where commercial and residential development have degraded natural ecosystems can be your way of giving back to wildlife.
- Eco-friendly! Gardening practices that help wildlife, like reducing the use of chemicals, conserving energy and water, and composting also help to improve air, water and soil quality.
- Community! Gardening for wildlife can help you share your love of wildlife with your neighbors and help them get involved in creating a home for wildlife.
| Volunteer |
Volunteer to Conserve Wildlife Habitat In Your Community by becoming a Habitat Steward
| Helpful Resources |
Invasive Plant Information
Austin's Least Wanted Invasive Plant Species
Central Texas Invasive Plant Field guide
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - The Dangers of Invasive Species
Native Plant Information
City of Austin Grow Green Plant Guide of Native & Adapted Plants
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's
Central Texas Recommended Plant list
Explore Plants
Wildlife Information
National Audubon Society - Audubon Home
| Partners |
Residents can certify their yards by visiting the National Wildlife Federation's website, http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/
Pre-paid habitat certification applications (limited quantity)
are also available upon request from the Wildlife Austin program: 327-8181 x29 or e-mail us.
Please provide mailing address with request.
Photo credits to Cathy Nordstrom and Dale Bulla - thank you for your contribution.
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