Dear Kindred Community,

We trust you are taking time to enjoy the birds, butterflies, and numerous other summer wildlife, and to consider ways you can help them. We are responsible for destroying their native habitats, and we can compensate by taking action to help them. YOU can make a difference!

One way to help is participating in our Facebook page. We currently have a total of over 700 Likes and Followers and our goal is to have 1,000 and beyond — to reach as many people as possible who are interested in helping and learning about the critters with which we share our land and without which life would be unimaginable. Imagine life without birdsong or pollinators 🥺

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064751556516

1. Congratulations Kirkland! Acknowledged for 15 Years as Community Wildlife Habitat

The National Wildlife Federation recently approved Kirkland's certification as wildlife friendly for 15 years! Because re-certification is required annually, there is an ongoing need to continue efforts to improve habitat and support native wildlife. Many thanks to community members who contributed to re-certification this year.

If your place of residence or open space is not yet certified, you can help Kirkland continue its community certification by certifying your place or space.

Go online (www.nwf.org/Garden-For-Wildlife/Certify.aspx), review the checklist, then follow the steps listed in the page. The checklist includes essential wildlife habitat needs of: food, water, cover, places to raise young, and sustainable practices. Property size can vary; even a balcony can be certified!

The fee to sign up is $20 and you can opt to include a yard sign for $30 as a way of showing your support and letting neighbors know about the program. Until July 31st, you can save 20% off when you certify and purchase any Certified Wildlife Habitat® sign, just enter the code GARDEN20 at checkout!

2. Certification Example — Lake Washington Christian Church, Kirkland

Congratulations to Lake Washington Christian Church for recently certifying as wildlife friendly with the National Wildlife Federation! And LWCC previously certified with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife as a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary. LWCC's Community Habitat Restoration Project establishes and maintains impressive forest and stream restoration on church property to improve habitat for wildlife and provide stewardship and enjoyment for people. Well done LWCC!

LWCC's habitat restoration partners include King Conservation District, EarthCorps, United Way of King County, Boy Scouts of America, and our Kirkland Community Wildlife Habitat Program.

3. Water — In Summer for All and All Year for Wildlife

Bees (including honey bees and many stingless native bees) and other flying insects are currently actively busy.

For honey bees for example, there are multiple reasons why water is important throughout the year:

• In the summer they use the water to cool the hive's temperature down, and in the winter they use it to help de-crystalize honey.
• The water comes into the hive and is placed in specific locations and the worker bees in the hive fan their wings to create air conditioning.
• On a hot day, a single hive can use up to one liter (4.2 cups) of water.
• Baby bees (larvae) need water in the hive to survive — for nurse bees to produce the proper food for them.

Insect Drinking Station
You can help insects to stay alive by providing an accessible source of water. You can easily make an inexpensive water source:

• Place clean rocks (small and medium sizes) in a shallow bowl for insects to stand on while they drink. Most insects will drown if they can't stand while they drink.
• Fill the bowl with fresh water so the rocks are half covered and place it outside in your yard or open space. If you have a flower garden, place the bowl there or close to it. Insects have a hard time finding fresh water so place it near an area where they normally travel.
• Try to keep the water fresh as often as possible. The insects will then learn that it is a reliable source of water. A small amount of green algal "scum" is likely not a problem if it develops on the rocks.
• Don't be surprised if birds and squirrels also drink from the water source!

Summer Water for Your Garden Habitat
Outdoor watering tips From Cascade Water Alliance:

• Check irrigation systems for leaks.
• Use a drip hose instead of sprayer.
• Turn it off when it rains - buy a rain sensor!
• Healthy gardens and lawns only need 1" of water per week so check the weather forecast to see if you even need to water.
• Water plants at night or early in the morning to avoid evaporation.
• Use a broom to sweep instead of the hose.
• Wash your car at a commercial car wash.
• Instead of dumping out the water from the kiddie pool, use it to water plants.

Additional ideas include:

• National Wildlife Federation recommends that you strive for 50 to 70% native plants to provide multi-season bloom, including flowers, shrubs, grasses, groundcovers, and trees. Non-wetland native plants are adapted to Pacific Northwest dry summers and when established typically don't need much additional water.
• Install water barrels or cisterns to capture rainwater from your roof and use that water in your garden, or construct a rain garden.
• Provide a bird bath for our feathered friends to drink and bathe.

We wish you all a Pleasant Summer

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.

Warmly,

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 people and wildlife.

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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