Keep South Carolina Wild

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Groups sue DES over illegal rules for major water withdrawals

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SCWF joined this lawsuit in accordance with our mission to: conserve and restore South Carolina’s wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy. Help us continue this important work by donating today:

https://www.scwf.org/donate

Groups sue DES over illegal rules for major water withdrawals

Loophole allows removal of all water from rivers

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Today, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit in South Carolina state court against the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services challenging the agency’s “safe yield” rules for large water withdrawals. The DES rules allow major agricultural corporations to remove all the water from rivers and streams across South Carolina. Other state and federal agencies have criticized this loophole.

In the complaint filed on behalf of Friends of the Edisto, American Rivers, and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, SELC asked the court to strike down the “safe yield” rules because they violate the Surface Water Withdrawal, Permitting, Use, and Reporting Act. This statute requires DES to protect river flows for the people, business, small farms, and endangered wildlife that rely on abundant clean water.

“We asked DES to change its illegal rules and follow the law passed by our elected representatives to protect families, businesses, and wildlife that rely on this water downstream,” said Frank Holleman, Senior Attorney at SELC. “Instead of obeying the law and requiring that our rivers and communities get at least the protections that our state law requires, DES has stuck with illegal rules that allow the complete dewatering of our rivers and streams.”

After SELC filed a petition with DES in November challenging the rules, DES refused to change the rules, resulting in today’s lawsuit.

“There is nothing ‘safe’ about the ‘safe yield’ rules. Just the opposite: they are a blank check for mega farms to completely de-water rivers,” said Hugo Krispyn, the Edisto Riverkeeper. “We are overdue for sensible, sustainable rules that balance everyone’s right to use our rivers and conserve our river ecosystems.”

“DES’s lax water protections draw interstate agriculture operations to South Carolina, where they can drain our rivers for free to the detriment of people and wildlife,” said Sara Green, Executive Director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. “The harms will only get worse as population growth and drier, hotter summers further strain our water resources in the coming years.”

“There are ways to sustainably draw from our rivers and leave enough water for swimming, fishing, drinking, farming, and the health of communities and wildlife,” said Peter Raabe, Southeast Regional Director at American Rivers. “Unfortunately, these DES rules put the profit of major agricultural corporations above this greater good.”

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Banner photo credit: Catawba River by Jacque Weir

Story published here:

07/16/24: Legal battle over future of SC’s rivers heats up as state pushes through drought – Post and Courier

07/15/24: Lawsuit accuses state agency of failing to protect rivers as drought grips SC – Rock Hill Herald

07/15/24: Lawsuit accuses state agency of failing to protect rivers as drought grips SC – The State

National Wildlife Federation & Its Affiliates

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SCWF recently had the opportunity to represent South Carolina at the National Wildlife Federation’s Annual Meeting – the largest and oldest gathering of grassroots conservation leaders in the nation.

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation, previously the SC Game & Fish Association (formed in 1931), has been a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) since NWF’s inception in 1936. The relationship between NWF and its state affiliates is unique among other conservation organizations because each affiliate functions as a completely separate organization concerning all aspects – finances, programs, policies, board governance, membership, etc. At the same time, NWF relies on the votes of its state affiliates to approve resolutions and elect board members each year during NWF’s Annual Meeting.

Rosemary Martin-Jones represented South Carolina in voting on NWF Policy Resolutions and Board Members.

This year, Rosemary Martin-Jones (SCWF Board Member & Affiliate Representative) and Sara Green (SCWF Executive Director) represented SCWF and South Carolina at the recent NWF Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC. They not only voted on NWF resolutions and board members, but also had the opportunity to sit on committees and interact with colleagues at NWF and other state affiliate organizations. This meeting is always such a great opportunity for SCWF to learn from other affiliates, share our successes and brainstorm new ideas.

Sara Green represented SCWF and South Carolina in the committee on Shark Conservation.

SCWF would also like to congratulate Ron Warnken, NWF’s Director of Conservation Partnerships (who represents affiliates in SC, GA, FL, AL, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) on winning the federation’s annual Kent Salazar Director of Conservation Partnerships Award! See the news HERE. We truly appreciate all that Ron does to help connect us with NWF staff and other affiliates to help us all work together effectively!

NWF’s Ron Warnken recently won the Kent Salazar Director of Conservation Partnerships award – photo courtesy of NWF

WAIT Partner Update: Renewable Water Resources (ReWa)

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Who is Renewable Water Resources (ReWa)?

ReWa is a wastewater utility that’s served the Upstate since 1925. ReWa cleans and releases 44 million gallons of water daily into area streams and rivers while serving Greenville County and portions of Anderson, Laurens, Pickens and Spartanburg counties. We have nine water resource recovery facilities and more than 430 miles of pipe.

As a WAIT partner, some of our many programs include:

Oyster shell recycling: Since 2017, ReWa has participated in the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) program through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). ReWa accepts oyster shells recycled by the public on its Mauldin Road campus. Volunteers from ReWa and SCDNR also bring shells from restaurants to the bin. In 2023 and 2024, ReWa employees participated in oyster reef rebuilds with SCDNR staff on Edisto Island. Since 2023, ReWa has assisted in recycling approximately 66,000 pounds of oyster shells that have been returned to the coast. Recycled oyster shells reduce erosion along the state’s coast, provide habitat for aquatic life and lead to more oysters, which improve water quality through filtration.



Photos of oyster shell recycling are courtesy of ReWa.

‘ReWa Gives Back’: ReWa’s commitment to serving and investing in the community is reinforced by the ReWa Gives Back volunteer program. Employees are encouraged to volunteer four hours a year during normal work hours. This supports the community and helps ReWa’s employees better understand the communities we serve while improving the utility’s service. The program fosters a culture of responsibility, community service among employees, teamwork, employee engagement and opportunities for personal development.

 Natural Resource projects/habitat: ReWa’s Mauldin Road Water Resource Recovery Facility is its largest property. It includes wetlands and floodplains for the Reedy River and one of its tributaries, Brushy Creek. The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail runs through a portion of the property adjacent to the Reedy and it continues downstream into Conestee Nature Preserve. Habitat enhancement on this property includes duck boxes, bluebird boxes and wildlife viewing stations in the wetlands for birders and hikers to enjoy. ReWa has also undertaken streambank enhancement work along stretches of the Reedy River and Brushy Creek to reduce sediment transport.

Photos of habitat improvements and wildlife viewing station are courtesy of ReWa.

 Reuse water: The water treated and released into the environment daily by ReWa is known as effluent. Each year, ReWa uses 3.6 million gallons of effluent for irrigation purposes at its facilities. The utility’s administration building and its Innovation Campus receive the most visitors among the utility’s properties and guests can see educational gardens that are irrigated by the utility’s effluent. ReWa also uses 700 million gallons of effluent per year during the water treatment process.

Litter Prevention: ReWa’s Bandalong™ Litter Trap is in a portion of Brushy Creek on the utility’s Mauldin Road campus. It’s designed to collect an average of 30,000 pounds of floating litter and debris each year to reduce pollution farther downstream. The trap does not affect the hydraulics of the water body, nor does it affect aquatic life or wildlife. ReWa has hosted an annual river sweep since 1998 in portions of the Reedy River and Brushy Creek that flow through the utility’s Mauldin Road campus. It is intended to be held in conjunction with the annual statewide South Carolina Beach Sweep/River Sweep, which is organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and SCDNR.  In 2023, ReWa’s employees and volunteers removed 3,060 pounds of trash and debris from portions of the Reedy River and Brushy Creek.

Photo is courtesy of ReWa.

Photo of ReWa’s Bandalong™ Litter Trap is courtesy of ReWa.

Watershed & natural resources specialist: ReWa employs a watershed and natural resources specialist, who provides strategic and technical support for the utility’s environmental initiatives and programs related to watershed planning, water quality monitoring and land resource development.

To learn more about ReWa, visit rewaonline.org.

 

Why WAIT?

 

SCWF Partners with conservation-minded businesses throughout the state who want to help wildlife thrive by enhancing their properties and providing educational opportunities for their employees and communities. Read more about the WAIT Program, and how to join here.

Chapin is now a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat

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The town of Chapin was recently certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat! Chapin is now the 13th Certified Wildlife Habitat in our state and has joined over 300 other communities across the nation making a difference for wildlife. Chapin earned this impressive achievement by certifying over 180 homes, 3 parks, 4 schools, 3 places of of worship, and 5 businesses as Certified Wildlife Habitats.

Activity Highlights

This certification effort was led by Cindy Chin and the Chapin Garden Club, who named the project “Chapin Goes Green” when they registered their community back in June of 2021. These are just a few of their many accomplishments that have created healthier wildlife habitat and a healthier community:

Bluebird trails

Worked with local schools to install bluebird nesting boxes, which now make up several bluebird trails that are maintained and monitored for nesting activity.

Educational classes

Held programs on a variety of topics at the Chapin library, which included migratory birds, snakes, owls, and tips for creating colorful wildlife habitat.

Pollinator garden

Installed a 70-foot Carolina Fence pollinator garden at Chapin Town Hall, providing a sanctuary for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Chapin Goes Green!

The community held a celebration at Chapin Town Hall on June 18th with the Chapin Garden Club and many other stakeholders who were involved with the process. The Mayor of Chapin made a proclamation in support of Chapin’s enrollment in the Certified Community Wildlife Habitat Program and recognized the outstanding efforts of the community’s commitment to becoming more wildlife-friendly. Kelly Long, Wildlife Habitat Chair of the Garden Club of SC and leader of the Greer Community Wildlife Habitat also gave remarks, along with David Stoudenmire, Jr., President of the Garden Club of SC and William Slaunwhite, Treasurer of the SC Bluebird Society. The Eaglets Making an Impact Club presented a video created by students at Chapin Elementary School showing the steps to certifying your wildlife habitat.

SCWF staff were honored to be a part of the ceremony and certification process. SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck helped with the certification by installing nesting boxes, presenting on wildlife topics, and installing native plants at Chapin Town Hall’s lush pollinator fence garden. Both he and Sara Green, SCWF’s Executive Director, spoke at the reception.





Chapin Town Hall Pollinator Garden





Milkweed for Monarchs Project: Nine Years of Helping Monarchs Thrive

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We are thrilled to announce the mailing of native milkweed seeds to SC residents, thus completing the 2024 Milkweed for Monarchs Project! We are grateful to Comporium for sponsoring this year’s project. This project was a huge success due to the statewide support of South Carolina residents and the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and expertise to hand-mix seeds and prepare each packet for mailing.

This is the ninth year that the SC Wildlife Federation (SCWF) has completed this project, which is vital for the survival of monarch butterflies. Over the past twenty years, there has been a sharp decline in the monarch butterfly population along their normal migration routes from Canada to Mexico. In fact, these important pollinators have dwindled by almost 97 percent. Native milkweed plants, however, are the key to helping these beautiful butterflies continue to thrive in North America.

SCWF was able to assist in increasing crucial habitat for our fluttering friends by distributing thousands of packets throughout the state! Native milkweed seed varieties were purchased in bulk from Ernst Conservation Seeds, then packaged and shipped by SCWF staff and generous volunteers. These seed packets were paired with informational cards that SCWF created for recipients to learn how to successfully raise the plants, how essential the plant is to the monarch species, and additional steps to take to certify their yards as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Read more about how to certify your yard on our habitat page, or contact Savannah Jordan at mail@scwf.org.

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped with this project, especially Barb & Jimmy Watson and Tami Kyre.

Image Caption: Volunteers assisting with the Milkweed for Monarchs project.

One of our favorite parts of this project is when milkweed recipients send us photos of their milkweed to be featured on our social media. You can email us your photos at mail@scwf.org.

Image Captions: These beautiful photos are from milkweed seed recipient Amy Bryan. The first photo was taken on Sep 29, 2023, and she saw her first butterfly on October 16, 2023.

We are grateful to Comporium for their sponsorship of this project! Their generosity allows us to send these packets to SC residents completely free of charge. If you or your company are interested in sponsoring this program in 2025, please contact Ari at mail@scwf.org or 803-256-0670, or use the  donate button to make your gift in support of this program.

Banner Image Credit: Monarch by BeBe Dalton Harrison.

A Garden for Wildlife™ Month Story: SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan

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All images by Savannah Jordan

As we near the end of Garden for Wildlife™ Month, SCWF’s very own Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan shares her story about why she gardens for wildlife and offers inspiration from her own wildlife habitat at home.

Savannah Jordan, SCWF Habitat Education Manager

“I create my garden not just for the wildlife that will enjoy it, but for the people who will see it and be inspired by it, learn from it, or find peace from it. ”

— Savannah Jordan

Birds in Paradise

When I first discovered my love of birds, it changed the way I thought about plants. It also changed how I garden. Who knew that a single chickadee pair needed hundreds of caterpillars per day to feed their growing nestlings? By planting certain native host plants that those caterpillars need to eat from, I can then provide those chickadee parents with plenty of food for their chicks. It’s this kind of thought process that I needed to change my perspective on how I garden for wildlife. I started doing it for the birds, because I love seeing all the different species visit my yard and find refuge there. But it didn’t stop there.




A Sanctuary For All Creatures

A garden is a sanctuary for wildlife and a sanctuary of my own. It’s in the garden, or anywhere out in nature, that I’m able to breathe the deepest and find a great deal of peace. There’s just something about digging in the dirt that helps clear your mind. During a time when we feel the constant pressure to go, go, go and always be on the move or face-down in our phones and laptops, it’s important to take time to slow down, look around you and simply just be. Notice the little things that typically go unnoticed, like the beautiful song of the Carolina wren, the way the morning sunlight peeks through the leaves on the trees, glistening raindrops on flower petals, or how those tiny warblers hop from branch to branch in search of insects to eat. Our gardens can be a relaxing place to experience nature, and when we can open them up to others, it’s one of the greatest gifts we can give.




For Future Generations

Since having my son almost 10 months ago, one of my greatest wishes is for him to grow up with a love of nature just as strong as mine. I used to garden to fulfill my own desire to watch what I’ve created flourish, but now it goes way beyond that. Now I get that plus the joy of watching my son grow and one day learn all these new things such as how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. I will get to see the delight in his eyes when he sees tiny new sprouts popping out of the soil from seeds he planted, and then his joy will become my own. I want him to be a good steward of the bounty we have been given on this earth, and this can all start right in our garden.



Creating Habitat

For wildlife to thrive, they need the essential elements: food, water, cover, and places to raise their young. Gardens with these elements can support twice the amount of wildlife! Every habitat garden is a step toward replenishing resources for wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds, and amphibians. Learn more about how to certify your wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.

Color Palettes

Arranging plants in groups by color is one way to make your garden really stand out. In this picture we have purple coneflower and yarrow. I also like to mix in different shades of the same color that are complimentary to one another, and this yarrow naturally already has light and dark shades of pink that act as a pretty accent for the coneflower.

Native Plants

Being intentional about what we plant in our gardens is key to creating the right habitat for wildlife. Aim to have 75% of your garden include natives, because it’s native plants that are most beneficial to our wildlife and sustain many of our native animal species more than non-native plants. They feed the caterpillars, and caterpillars feed birds and many other wildlife. Native plants also require less watering and no fertilizer, which is healthier for the environment and saves money and water! Pictured right is an American beautyberry bush and an Eastern box turtle, two native species that call my garden home.

“There are many things we would all like to change in the world, but feel powerless to do so. By adding native plants to our garden, we can make an immediate impact. ”

— Savannah Jordan

Lights out for migratory birds at night

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Lights out for migratory birds at night

On April 28, 2023, over 21 million birds crossed South Carolina in a single night! Every year, billions of birds migrate north in the spring and south in the fall, the majority of them flying at night, navigating the night sky. The dark skies allow the migrating birds to avoid predators, take advantage of calmer air, and utilize the moon and stars for navigation.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Joshua Stevens

However, as they pass over communities and cities on their way, they can become disoriented by bright artificial lights and skyglow. Some birds become casualties of nighttime collisions with windows and walls. Others circle in confusion until dawn, when they land exhausted and are subject to other urban threats. This issue impacts hundreds of species, including priority species such as Wood Thrush and Seaside Sparrow.

In recognition of Dark Sky Week (April 2-8) and Spring World Migratory Day (May 11) we are inviting individuals and businesses across South Carolina to help our feathered friends on their long journeys with Lights Out South Carolina! Through taking collective action, we can help ensure that South Carolina skies provide safe passage. Here’s what you can do:

At home

· Turn off exterior decorative and nonessential lighting from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am from April 1 through June 1.

· Down-shield exterior lighting to eliminate horizontal glare and all light directed upward

· Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible

At your business or office building

· Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible

· Turn off interior lighting especially on higher stories

· Down-shield exterior lighting to eliminate horizontal glare and all light directed upward

· When converting to new lighting assess quality and quantity of light needed, avoiding over-lighting with newer, brighter technology

· For buildings over 3 stories, use desk lamps or task lights instead of overhead lights at night

· Turn off lights on vacant floors

Want to monitor bird migration for South Carolina or your city? Check out Cornell’s BirdCast Migration Dashboard.

Watch the webinar here!

SCWF, SC DNR, and Audubon SC recently held a webinar on the dangers that birds face during migration, issues of light
pollution for wildlife, and the steps we can all take to protect birds and wildlife.

A Garden for Wildlife Month™ Story: Community Habitat Leader Spotlight

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Banner image: Harbor Island by Savannah Jordan

During the month of May, we continue to celebrate Garden for Wildlife™ Month by spotlighting our Community Habitat team leaders and asking them why they garden for wildlife. Peggy Lucas is the leader of the Harbor Island Community Wildlife Habitat on St. Helena Island, which earned their certification in 2019. Located on the southern end of the ACE Basin, this barrier island community is a thriving ecosystem home to a diversity of wildlife species like loggerhead sea turtles, American alligators, and ospreys. Read about Peggy’s story and why she gardens for wildlife:

Keeping it Wild for Wildlife

“When we built our dream home in the maritime forest on a small island in South Carolina, I was determined to do two things: disturb as little of the surrounding woods as possible and never own another lawnmower. Even with the first goal in mind, some disruption of the surrounding landscape was inevitable. After living here for ten years, the disturbed areas surrounding our home have fortunately once again returned to their natural state. It was fascinating to see the succession as plants started to grow
back. Initially, copious dog fennel and other lovers of disturbed areas were the most prevalent, but eventually more species arrived: Yaupon Holly, Red Cedar, Wax Myrtle and other native shrubs. I totally succeeded with the no lawnmower goal and instead of installing a lawn, I set aside one small area in front of my house for a garden. I planted some citrus trees that I had previously grown in pots and eventually native perennials such as Swamp Sunflowers, Scarlet Sage, Lyre leaf Sage and Split leaf Coneflower. In my planting, I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way. I have planted things that don’t do well in this environment or that can even be harmful, such as tropical milkweed. I had planted a couple of these admittedly beautiful plants before it was known that this non-native milkweed could cause problems for the Monarchs by transmitting a parasite that causes deformity. Like most milkweed it is prolific and I’m still trying to get rid of it. If nothing else I like to think I’m not adding to the problem by providing my own little oasis for the wildlife that is slowly being displaced by development and the ever-present desire for a monoculture lawn out front. I leave the leaves that fall year-round here, along with fallen logs and snags that provide shelter and
nesting sites. I spend my time enjoying what nature is creating around me instead of obsessing over leaves on my lawn. It’s been a journey of discovery and joy and I’ve never once missed having that lawnmower.”

— Peggy Lucas, Harbor Island Community Habitat Leader




CHECK OUT THE harbor island COMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITAT PAGE TO SEE ALL THE HARD WORK THEIR TEAM HAS DONE TO HELP CREATE WILDLIFE HABITAT!


Learn more about how to get your community certified as a community wildlife habitat

Endangered Species Day

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Banner image by Rick Dandridge

Today we celebrate Endangered Species Day, which is recognized annually on the third Friday in May to spread awareness about endangered species and how to protect them from extinction. In 2006, the National Wildlife Federation led Congress to establish Endangered Species Day on May 17th, which is an opportunity to recognize the importance of wildlife conservation and restoration efforts for all imperiled species. It is also a time to celebrate the progress made to protect wildlife since the creation of the Endangered Species Act in 1973.




With education at the core of SCWF’s mission, we strive to create the next generation of environmental stewards by visiting schools all across the state. SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager Savannah Jordan recently visited Dutch Fork Middle School to present about endangered species in South Carolina and what we can all do to help them. Students learned specifically about how species become endangered, the Endangered Species Act, and what endangered species we have in South Carolina. They also learned about how SCWF works for wildlife, other career fields that they can pursue, and actions that we can all take such as keeping our environment clean and writing to our local leaders in government so they make good decisions that help protect nature.



One species in particular that the students learned in depth about is the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW), which Savannah worked with during her previous role as a wildlife biologist. The middle-schoolers were fascinated by the banding process of RCW nestlings and adult woodpeckers that help biologists track individuals and monitor their population. They also learned about how the long-leaf pine habitat where RCWs live requires the application of prescribed fire to maintain the open, park-like habitat that the woodpeckers prefer. Fire also helps to reduce hazardous fuels that can lead to catastrophic wildfires due to the accumulation of leaf litter on the forest floor.

Student groups participated in a STEM Project-based Learning activity where they chose an endangered species in South Carolina to research and present to their class, encouraging community action that can be implemented to help save endangered species from extinction. Each group presented about how we can maintain biodiversity with strategies such as incorporating native plants into our landscapes for species like the rusty-patched bumblebee. The students taught their classmates how to work together with the community and even created real-world solutions that can be implemented to protect imperiled species in South Carolina.

2023 was the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Take a look back at the plants and animals found in South Carolina which we featured throughout 2023 that have benefited from the passage of the Endangered Species Act

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”

— Baba Dioum


Learn more about endangered species in south carolina

A Garden for Wildlife Month™ Story: Community Habitat Leader Spotlight

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During the month of May, we continue to celebrate Garden for Wildlife™ Month by spotlighting our Community Habitat team leaders and asking them why they garden for wildlife. Ellen Morton is the leader of the Bull Point Community Wildlife Habitat in Seabrook, which earned their certification in 2023. Located near Beaufort, this community is a part of a maritime forest ecosystem, surrounded by tidal creeks, salt marshes, and towering live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Read about Ellen’s story and their journey to becoming a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat.

Why Ellen Gardens for Wildlife

“I garden for wildlife because I’ve learned that wildlife habitat is disappearing as humans bulldoze and develop more and more of what used to be natural areas. I’ve realized that while people need places to live and it is difficult for us to build homes without damage to native ecosystems, at least we can minimize it and attempt to repair that which is unavoidable.
Although I’ve been gardening for years, for most of that time I’ve been oblivious to such things as the value of native plants over imported ones, the need to protect mature trees, the dangers of invasive plants, and the many negative impacts of an expansive turf lawn. While I learned about planting zones and soil types as well as light and water requirements, I assumed that all I needed to do was choose pretty plants that fit the conditions in my yard. For most of my life I lived in houses with large turf grass lawns, just like everyone else in the neighborhood, and the competition for the greenest, most perfect lawn was often fierce. Those who did not mow regularly were regarded as sloppy and lazy, if not morally deficient. I know there were those who were making efforts to change the conventional thinking, but that information was not available to me. My idea of being environmentally responsible was recycling the trash and lowering the thermostat.
All this changed a few years after we retired to a community that was dedicated to living in harmony with nature. The first time we drove into the neighborhood, we were immediately attracted to the peaceful atmosphere created by the untamed landscape filled with trees — including large, moss-draped old live oaks — a fascinating variety of birds and other wild animals roaming casually through it, and homes that were barely visible from the road (if at all). We were warned not to remove any more trees or understory than was absolutely necessary for building the house and not to plant turf grass because it was too difficult to grow in the local soil and shady conditions. Thankfully we took this advice and only put in some narrow strips of lawn bordering the flower beds at the front entrance of the house—just enough to neaten up the look a bit — and left the rest of the property wild. At that point we were merely grateful to no longer have almost 2 acres of lawn to mow and take care of, as we’d had at our previous residence.
Then a couple of years ago we noticed that, as our community’s properties were being built out, more and more people seemed to be landscaping their homes exactly as they had in their old neighborhoods and the wildness was beginning to disappear. To combat this, we decided to look into ways we could encourage new residents to embrace the original philosophy of the community rather than change it into just another suburb. We discovered the National Wildlife Federation and its Garden for Wildlife program, which we thought would be perfect for us. Our community was already a wildlife habitat and we realized we could very easily qualify as a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat.
We began our project by trying to educate ourselves and our fellow residents about what we needed to do to protect our flora and fauna and to “keep it wild” rather than allow what attracted us here to vanish. We read books and articles, brought out experts to speak to us and consult with our Board of Directors to point out areas of concern—and were astonished to discover how much we didn’t know. Once we were made aware of the value of planting native plants, preserving and protecting our mature trees and our water resources, providing secure spaces—including sources of food and water — to all our wildlife and especially support for pollinators, and exercising care in the use of chemicals, we realized the importance of spreading the information and knowledge we had gathered. A Sustainability Committee was created from the team that accomplished our certification, and our efforts are ongoing to come up with methods we can use to convince our neighbors to adopt recommended best practices to protect the air, land, and bodies of water surrounding us as well as all the inhabitants with which we share our space. There is great satisfaction in feeling we are helping not only to stop the destruction of our natural world but even to find ways of healing and repairing the damage already done.
”

— Ellen Morton, Bull Point Community Habitat Leader


CHECK OUT the Bull Point COMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITAT PAGE TO SEE ALL THE HARD WORK THEIR TEAM HAS DONE TO HELP CREATE WILDLIFE HABITAT!

Learn more about how to get your community certified as a community wildlife habitat