Dear Kindred Community,
As we spring fully into spring, nationally and locally, April is Earth Month, Native Plant Appreciation Month, and Arbor Month!
It's a time to bring attention to our natural home and nurture our relationship with it. For our native wildlife, it's nesting season and life is abuzz…
"I recently certified my yard with the National Wildlife Federation, it was quick to do and I have the satisfaction of knowing that I'm contributing to the sustaining of natural habitat in my neighborhood.
To get the certification, I went online to (www.nwf.org/Garden-For-Wildlife/Certify.aspx), reviewed the checklist and then followed the steps listed in the page.
The fee to sign up is $20 and I opted to also include a yard sign for $30, to let passers-by know about the program.
The application fee helps to support the National Wildlife Federation's programs, "to inspire others to make a difference and address the issues leading to declining habitat for wildlife nationwide."
After submitting my details online, I received a confirmation email, and about a week later I received a packet that included a certificate and the cool yard sign, which now stands proudly near the corner of my home "habitat."
You don't need a yard to be certified, even a balcony with some planters will do - see the web page for details. I hope you'll join the growing number of people who are certifying and supporting wildlife in our neighborhoods!
Kirkland's Natural Yard Care Ambassador program recently announced that Aly and Bill's beautiful garden is one of the first in the Ambassador Program. Congratulations to Aly and Bill! Their garden makes the most of the water that falls on site while supporting pollinators and other wildlife. Aly and Bill share some of their thoughts about natural yard care, why it matters to them, and what their process has been like. Get some inspiration and see pictures of their landscape in Kirkland Conserves Blog.
Get your yard recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat® to be part of the local and national movement! Certify
Very popular. The Central Puget Sound chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) is offering a local selection of pollinator friendly, beautiful native shrubs, perennials and groundcovers that are ideal for Kirkland gardens.
Web Page: Central Puget Sound: Spring Native Plant Sale
Sunday, April 14th, 2024, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Aaron Education Center and Paccar Pavilion, Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005.
Overflow parking is available further down Main St. at Wilburton Hill Park.
WNPS will host an information table where you can talk with knowledgeable WNPS members about native plants suitable for your yard.
Check the website for open days or open by appointment. Open 3 days a week throughout April!
https://tadpolehaven.com
Paradise Lake Road at 20322 197th Ave. N.E. Woodinville, WA 98077
Oxbow Farm: Spring Native Plant Sale
April 20, 2024 10:00AM
There are countless reasons to introduce native plants into your garden. Here are just a few:
Thriving in Your Environment: Native plants are perfectly adapted to your region's climate, soil conditions, and rainfall patterns. This translates to less maintenance for you, as they require little extra watering or fertilizer once established.
A Haven for Wildlife: Native plants have coevolved with local wildlife, providing essential food sources like nectar, pollen, and fruits. Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and birds rely on these plants for survival, and including them in your garden creates a vibrant pollinator garden.
Promoting Biodiversity: Native plant communities support a wider variety of wildlife compared to non-native species. This biodiversity is crucial for a healthy ecosystem, promoting natural pest control and maintaining a balanced environment.
Beauty with Benefits: Native plants come in a stunning array of shapes, sizes, and colors, offering a visual feast for the eyes. From vibrant wildflowers to graceful ferns, you can create a beautiful garden that's also good for the environment.
Water Conservation: Native plants are often naturally water-efficient, requiring less watering than their non-native counterparts. This translates to lower water bills for you and reduced pressure on local water resources.
Erosion Control: Native plants with deep root systems help prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes or hillsides.
Remember — native birds need caterpillars, which need native plants
Butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars) are an essential food source for birds in raising their young.
Are you interested in creating habitat for wildlife? Do you want to do your part to keep Washington wild? Now is your chance to become a Habitat Steward™! The National Wildlife Federation is offering a specialized, multi-week virtual training to teach you how to create and restore wildlife habitat in backyards, schoolyards, and other places in your community. The training consists of 4 classes, so make sure you will be able to attend all 4!
This virtual workshop will be from 6:30-9:00 PM on Tuesday(s) on the following days: May 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th. Optional field trips and volunteering opportunities pertaining to local habitats are available!
Benefits include: a comprehensive, digital training manual with local resources, instruction from local professionals, engaging field opportunities, certification as a habitat steward volunteer, and continued support from NWF staff. A variety of topics will be presented on habitat restoration, PNW ecology and wildlife, natural yard care, invasive plants, native plants, and much more!
The cost of the training is $20. Note: scholarships are available! No one will be turned down due to lack of funds. Once registered the Zoom link will be emailed to you.
To register for the training, please visit https://mayhabitatstewards.brownpapertickets.com/ or contact Guinevere Unterbrink at WAEducation@nwf.org or (206) 577-7816.
April's Native Plant Appreciation Month gives us a springtime opportunity to enjoy Washington State's amazing flora. We can take a look at all the work that governmental agencies, non-profit groups, and environmental organizations are doing to protect native plant species and restore native plant habitats. This year, the focus is on Prairie Preservation. It's a time to celebrate Washington's native floral abundance, its amazing biodiversity, and all the good work being done to protect and preserve it. See the web page for more details: https://www.wnps.org/wnps-annual-events/npam
Did you know that the U.S. now celebrates National Native Plant Month? https://nationalnativeplantmonth.org/
We're happy to answer questions about Kirkland's Community Wildlife Habitat Program, and engage in related discussions using kirklandcwh@ilanga.com. Please forward the newsletter to interested contacts, and let us know of addresses to add to our e-news list.
Sincerely,
Kirkland Community Wildlife Habitat Team
Aly, Ann, Ash, Kent, Launa, Marilee, Sharon
Kirkland's Community Wildlife Habitat Program strives for each person to make our community healthier for wildlife and people. We encourage residents to certify their properties to show support for wildlife-friendly activities: https://www.nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat
Appreciating and enhancing habitat in Kirkland, which is situated on the ancestral, unceded land of the Puget Sound Salish people; we acknowledge and honor the land with gratitude.
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