Alpharetta Seeks Wildlife Habitat Certification

The city of Alpharetta is vying to obtain a Community Wildlife Habitat certification from the National Wildlife Federation.

The effort, called Alpharetta's Wild Side, is being led by the Alpharetta Natural Resources Commission. The Alpharetta City Council has also signed off on the initiative.

"This prestigious certification calls for a community-wide effort to use native plants to create habitats for birds, insects and other animals", said Howard Salk, a commission member who will lead the certification effort. 

To achieve certification, the city would need to have at least 200 homes, six common areas and five schools participate and become certified wildlife habitats.  

"Because certification requires workshops and community projects, Alpharetta's Wild Side will need residents of all ages to join the project team that will coordinate the certification effort," said Salk.

The certification recognizes neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties who launch "community wide efforts to green landscapes and buildings, improve air and water quality, restore vital wildlife habitat and improve the health and well-being of inhabitants," according to the wildlife federation.

Anyone interested in joining the team should contact alpharettaswildside@gmail.com and attend an upcoming organizational meeting.

That meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 15 Alpharetta Public Works Department  at 1790 Hembree Road.    

For information on future volunteer opportunities or how to build your own habitat, visit the commission's Facebook page.