Austin program works to restore wildlife habitat

From KVUE, January 12, 2009...

Patricia Roberts-Miller says her yard was a boring swath of grass when she and her family moved into their North Austin home three years ago.

Today, the 25-by-80 -foot space teems with creatures and plant life. Toads, sparrows and finches congregate near a small, man-made pond. A screech owl peers out of a wooden box nailed to an ash tree. Butterflies perch on dill plants and passion flowers and butterfly weed.

"My son and I got up very early one morning and watched the screech owls teach their babies to fly," Roberts-Miller said. "It was magical."

Her yard is one of about 900 spots locally that have been certified as wildlife habitats under a new city of Austin program. The city wants the National Wildlife Federation to designate Austin a community wildlife habitat . Creating and certifying habitats in the yards of homes, schools and businesses are part of the application process.

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City program aims to restore wildlife habitat to suburban spaces

From statesman, December 31, 2008...

Homeowners can take simple steps to create a more natural, critter-friendly yard, official says.

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