Local church makes a difference to protect wildlife
SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA– August 1, 2024 – The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, is pleased that All Saints Episcopal Church in San Leandro has successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat® through its Garden for Wildlife™ movement.
NWF celebrates this effort to create a garden that supports birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife. Every Certified Wildlife Habitat garden provides natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water and doesn’t rely on pesticides.
Started in 1973, the Garden for Wildlife movement is the nation’s oldest and largest native plant/habitat program, recognizing over 300,000 Certified Wildlife Habitat® gardens across the North America and at 39 embassies worldwide, encompassing an estimated 4 million acres that support wildlife locally. Backyards, urban gardens, school grounds, businesses, places of worship, campuses, parks, farms, zoos, and community landscapes can all be recognized as wildlife habitats through the program. “We are excited about this new Certified Wildlife Habitat®, as it provides native plants and essential habitat elements. Research shows certified properties have the potential to support twice as much wildlife compared to non-certified properties.” Said, Mary Phillips, Head of Garden for Wildlife™/Certified Wildlife Habitat®.
“Anyone, anywhere can restore wildlife habitat right in their own yards and communities,” said NWF Naturalist David Mizejewski. “Whether you garden in a suburban yard, an urban area or a rural plot of land, you can make a difference for local wildlife. Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat garden is fun, easy and makes a real difference for neighborhood wildlife. It’s the perfect grassroots way to think globally and act locally and help birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife,” he added.
All Saints converted almost 1200 square feet of lawn that was maintained with spray irrigation into a drought-friendly landscape in collaboration with East Bay Municipal Utility Department’s ‘Lawn Conversion’ program. EBMUD’s landscape rebates support water-wise gardens that thrive in California’s summer-dry climate and during drought. The landscape was converted to drip irrigation, a more environmentally-friendly option for watering landscapes. Rector of All Saints, the Rev. Justin R. Cannon, oversaw this project and explains, “As a nature lover and gardener, for years I have wanted to convert the lawn at the church. During the bishop’s last visitation to All Saints, he spoke about the waste of water in maintaining lawns as a moral issue. It was then I knew the conversion of our front landscaping wouldn’t be far off. It’s absolutely beautiful and neighbors comment on it every week—literally every time I am out there weeding or watering someone walking by complements the garden.”
Reverend Cannon remarks, “Since we have converted the landscape, added a birdbath, and committed to sustainable practices in maintaining this space, the front landscape is alive with birds and bees like never before. I’ve seen crows, California towhees, Anna’s hummingbirds, and countless bees of varied types…I’m keeping my eyes out from other creatures.” He adds, “We have trees and bushes where birds can find cover and nest; a birdbath in the front and a fountain on the side where birds and creatures can have access to water; and an assortment of flowering plants to feed moths, butterflies, and even hummingbirds who especially love the grevilia.”
Many of NWF’s state affiliate organizations are partners in the Garden for Wildlife movement. Habitats in partnering states have national and state certification. Participants who have their wildlife habitat garden certified receive a personalized certificate with a unique habitat number, a one-year membership to NWF with a subscription to National Wildlife magazine, a subscription to the Garden for Wildlife e-newsletter, a 10 percent discount to National Wildlife catalog, the exclusive right to post a Certified Wildlife Habitat yard sign and $5.00 off native plants at www.gardenforwildlife.com.
For more information on NWF’s Garden for Wildlife™ movement and how to qualify to have a garden space recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, visit www.nwf.org/garden. To jump start creating your own Certified Wildlife Habitat® order native plant collections for your zip code designed to provide three season bloom at www.gardenforwildlfe.com.
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The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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