Austin #1 for Wildlife!

From the City of Austin’s website announcement:

Austin Leads National Wildlife Federation’sList of America’s Top 10 Cities for Wildlife

March 9, 2015 – The National Wildlife Federation is honoring the Top 10 Cities for Wildlife whose citizens have the strongest commitment to wildlife as part of their celebration of National Wildlife Week 2015 – and Austin ranks number one!

The National Wildlife Federation ranked America’s largest cities based on three important criteria for wildlife – the percentage of parkland in each city, citizen action to create wildlife habitat, and school adoption of outdoor learning in wildlife gardens.

Read more on the City of Austin’s Blog

“We have terrific partners in the city’s Wildlife Austin program and the Austin Independent School District,” said Susan Kaderka, Regional Executive Director of National Wildlife Federation’s South Central Regional Center. “Through our Habitat Stewards Program and our K-12 education programs, we work together to educate Austin citizens young and old on how to be heroes for wildlife.”

The National Wildlife Federation determined the Top 10 Cities for Wildlife by analyzing the total number of NWF Certified Wildlife Habitats per capita in each city to measure citizen engagement. NWF also tallied the number of schools per capita that participate in NWF’s Schoolyard Habitat or Eco-Schools USA program. Finally, NWF looked at the percentage of parkland within a city, using data from the Trust for Public Land’s Park Score Index. Each criteria was given equal weight.

The top cities are found in every region, from Seattle’s temperate rainforest to Albuquerque’s arid desert:

Austin, Texas – Austin is a clear-cut choice as America’s best city for wildlife, boasting the most Certified Wildlife Habitats (2,154), most Backyard Habitats per capita, and most Schoolyard Habitats (67). Famous for its Congress Avenue Bridge that’s home to 1.5 million bats, the city of Austin is certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat. Its residents not only want to Keep Austin Weird – they’re the best in America at keeping their city wild.

Portland, Oregon – The Rose City boasts America’s most Schoolyard Habitats per capita. With more than 8,200 acres of natural parkland certified salmon safe and a commitment to provide nature areas within a half-mile of every Portlandian, the dream of a wildlife-friendly city is alive in Portland.

Atlanta, Georgia – The City in a Forest ranks highly across the board, coming in #3 in total Schoolyard Habitats (54), #2 in Schoolyard Habitats per capita, and #2 in Backyard Habitats per capita.

Baltimore, Maryland – Charm City’s commitment to conservation education shines through with 73 EcoSchools, #2 in America, and a #3 ranking in Schoolyard Habitats per capita. Baltimore’s 5,700 acres of parkland include the Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, the second-largest urban wilderness in the U.S.

Washington, District of Columbia – Ranked third in parkland as a percent of city area, DC’s efforts to protect and preserve parkland have helped restore America’s previously-endangered bald eagles and are now luring osprey back to the Anacostia River.

Seattle, Washington –The Emerald City ranks third in Backyard Habitats per capita, with more than 30 municipalities and neighborhoods in the area participate in NWF’s Community Wildlife Habitat program. Seattle’s government has a robust environmental stewardship program and a “Green Factor” program that reduces stormwater runoff and supports the use of native plants and trees.

Albuquerque, New Mexico – First in America in parkland as a percent of city area, one quarter of Albuquerque is public park land, providing a home for amazing resident and migratory wildlife like the majestic sandhill crane, Cooper’s hawks, black bears, bobcats and deer.

Indianapolis, Indiana – With the White River vital to both its people and wildlife, Indianapolis is home to America’s second-largest number of Certified Wildlife Habitats (932). It is also home to its own resident reality star, a peregrine falcon named KathyQ, whose live feed has entertained fans for several years.

Charlotte, North Carolina – Charlotte ranks third in the US in Certified Wildlife Habitats (849) and the city just achieved certification as a Community Wildlife Habitat. Known as North Carolina’s City of Trees, Charlotte’s City Council has made it a mission to have 50 percent canopy coverage by 2050.

New York City, New York – New York City has the most EcoSchools in America (270), ranks fourth in parkland as a percent of city area (14 percent), and is home to an incredible 168 species of wildlife and more than five million trees. Home to year-round residents like red-tailed hawks and a tourist destination for migratory birds like black-throated blue warblers, the Big Apple is an urban wildlife haven, from Central Park to the Gateway National Recreation Area, one of America’s largest urban parks that includes the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

For additional information on this award, please contact Meredith Gray, Conservation Program Coordinator with the Wildlife Austin Program, at 512-974-9450 or email to Meredith Gray; or Miles Grant with the National Wildlife Federation at 703-864-9599.