Leading a nationwide trend in community concern for habitat loss, Centreville, Maryland has officially been designated as a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Community Wildlife Habitat.
Centreville is the 74th in the country, third in Maryland, and the very first on the Eastern Shore to receive this honor. A Community Wildlife Habitat project creates multiple habitat areas in backyards, schoolyards, businesses, community gardens, parkland and other spaces. NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program has been helping people take personal action on behalf of wildlife for more than 40 years. The program engages homeowners, businesses, schools, churches, parks and other institutions that want to make their communities wildlife-friendly.
“Centreville, the town with a past, a present and a future again lives up to its motto. Centreville’s certification as a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat underscores the citizens’ value of nature and its environment, started by President Theodore Roosevelt back in 1901 and continues today and into our children’s future, Centreville Town Council President Smokey Sigler said. Well Done Centreville, well done.”
NWF commends the dedicated volunteers who led the charge for their wildlife conservation efforts and for coming together for a common purpose – to create a community where people and wildlife can flourish. The Centreville team consisted of residents Lynn and Gabby Caligiuri, Kellen McCluskey, Sandy Simpson, Kerry Brandt, Carol Hellmann, Celynda Frank, Pat Bragg, Linda Blume, Stacy Quinn and Jim Watson.
“Providing a home for wildlife in our cities – whether it’s at home, or in schools, businesses or parks – is the demonstration of a healthy and active eco-system,” said National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski. “There is no more rewarding way to stay connected to nature right outside your
door.”
“The Town of Centreville is a natural to receive this distinction. With so many environmentally minded residents who maintain beautiful and wildlife friendly gardens, yards and farms, and Kennard Elementary, Centreville Middle and Centreville Elementary schools with their schoolyard habitats and outdoor classrooms, it is no surprise that Centreville is the first community on the Eastern Shore to achieve this certification,” Lynn Caligiuri, Chair of the Centreville Community Certification team said. “The Town’s dedication to a safe and sustainable environment and its location in the Chesapeake Bay watershed make achieving this national certification a perfect fit.”
The National Wildlife Federation along with mascot Ranger Rick, will recognize Centreville at a ceremony on November 2nd in the town square, during Centreville Day at 11:15 am. The public is invited and encouraged to share in the celebration. For more details, “like” the “Centreville Community Wildlife Habitat Project”, Facebook page.
For more information on the Community Wildlife Habitat program, please visit: www.nwf.org/community.