This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Finding Harmony in Creating Habitats

The Backyard Wildlife Habitat & Certification Project seeks to educate the community about the nature around it.

Edmonds is a suburban community: a mix of homes, businesses and parks-a place where fresh air, expanses of grass and lengthy stretches of beach still thrive. Sometimes we forget, or take for granted, the fact that we can watch birds soaring from tree to tree, squirrels burying their bounty, and the occasional troupe of raccoons crisscrossing the backyard.

When it comes to the critters sharing our spaces, the old saying goes, ‘they were here first,’ but there’s no reason why we can’t co-exist peacefully with the scampering, flying, and sometimes oh-so-adorable creatures in and around our yards. The National Wildlife Federation has an established Community Habitats program that encourages communities around the country to provide habitats for the wildlife that increasingly finds its natural habitat encroached upon or destroyed.

In May, the Edmonds Wildlife Habitat & Certification Project became the 41st city in the United States to receive its Wildlife Habitat certification.  

Find out what's happening in Edmondswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“A Community Wildlife Habitat is a community that provides habitat for wildlife throughout the community--in individual backyards, on school grounds and in public areas such as parks, community gardens, places of worship and businesses,” explained Laura Spehar, Team Lead for the Edmonds project. “It is a place where the residents make it a priority to provide habitat for wildlife by providing the four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young." 

Another goal of the project is to educate residents about sustainable gardening practices, which include the reduction or elimination of chemical fertilizers, the conservation of water, and fostering of native plant growth.

Find out what's happening in Edmondswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In order to receive certification, a community must earn a certain amount of points through various projects and outreach. The amount of points needed for certification is based on a community’s population. According to the City of Edmonds, as of 2007 the population of our community was 40,760. In accordance with the guidelines set by the NWF, certification required 450 points. There are four different “Goal Categories” such as Education Goals (a minimum of 40 points is requited) and Community Projects Goals (a minimum of 50 points is required) and numerous ways to earn points within each category (“Work with local nurseries to label and/or provide native plants,” 10 points. “Coordinate a stream or trail clean-up,” 5 points.)

“We have monthly ‘habitat team’ meetings usually at my house here in Edmonds,” Spehar wrote in an email. “The team is folks living in Edmonds who have a vested interest in wildlife habitat preservation and sustainable living efforts. The team implements outreach tabling events, workshops, speaker series, invasive plant removal work parties, habitat yard tours, and so on. We currently have 15-20 active team members.”

According to Spehar, their team includes local merchants, Edmonds Community College instructors City Board members, the local Audubon chapter, National Wildlife Federation Seattle office and a NOAA scientist. But don’t let the credential-laden crowd intimidate you, as anyone is welcome to join the team.

“We also welcome boy and girl scout troops, school and faith organization groups to get involved in our project,” Spehar said. “All ages and capabilities are welcome!” 

Even if joining the team isn’t an option, there are other ways to get involved. The team facilitates workshops and classes about environmental stewardship, often bringing in experts to speak about topics such as native plants, pollinators and local animals. If someone is interested in certifying their yard as a wildlife habitat, they can pick up an application at the Edmonds Public Library or visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website. 

Spehar says that the team’s motto is also their number one goal as an organization: “Foster a Community that Lives in Harmony with Nature,” and the group definitely practices what they preach, continually embracing new projects and reaching out to new sectors of the community.

“We are continuing our outreach and education through the Edmonds Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden located at the Willow Creek Hatchery,” Spehar said. “We are currently connecting local Edmonds schools and pre-schools to the National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Schools program.” They have also adopted a local park, with plans for eventual monthly work parties.

In an area where humans and wildlife are forced to share close quarters, the Edmonds Wildlife Habitat & Certification Project is taking a flying leap towards making that co-habitation just a little easier…for everyone (and every creature) involved.

To get more information or find out about joining the team, email Laura Spehar at edmondsbwh@gmail.com

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Edmonds