The Johns Creek Community Wildlife Habitat Project has announced a neighborhood competition and will be giving away 10 free bronze signs to winning local neighborhoods.

The first 10 Johns Creek neighborhoods to certify a minimum of 10 houses and their common area as National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitats will receive a bronze metal sign from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for display in their neighborhood. A $99 value, these bronze signs can be displayed at the neighborhood entrance or common area.

NWF certification for a home or neighborhood is a simple process, and all residents need to qualify is to fill out a checklist showing that their home or common area can be designated as a wildlife habitat by providing the proper environment for wildlife, including food (can be feeders, berry bushes, etc.), water (stream, bird bath, etc.), shelter (trees, bushes, etc.) and places for wildlife to raise young (birdhouses, trees, etc).

The trees, flowers and overall natural environment of Johns Creek neighborhoods will, in most cases, qualify homes and common areas for NWF certification. Condominiums and apartments can also be certified with the same application, as well as local schools, businesses, community spaces and houses of worship. 

To certify, residents can click on www.johnscreekwildlifehabitat.org/certify-your-property and fill out an application online or print one to mail in to NWF. The cost is $20 per home or neighborhood common area and only takes a few minutes.

Those certified receive a membership to the National Wildlife Federation, a subscription to the monthly NWF magazine, a certificate to display in their home or clubhouse, and the option to purchase an outdoor display sign. Several Johns Creek neighborhoods have already certified their common areas and are displaying NWF signs.

Residents should let their neighborhood association know when their home is certified so they can track the number of homes. Once the requirements are completed, neighborhood associations can email jcwildlife@gmail.com with the name of the neighborhood, that the common area is certified, and the addresses of the 10 certified neighborhood homes to qualify for the free bronze sign. 

The city of Johns Creek is less than 80 certified homes away from being declared a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat, of which there are only 57 communities in the entire United States.

This program teaches residents to conserve their natural environment in public and private spaces, provides gardening workshops and community education, and supports environmental education in local schools. For more information on this project as well as a list of locally available native plants, residents can access the project website at www.johnscreekwildlifehabitat.org.