(A-71) COMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITATS IN LAKE NORMAN

Create A Wildlife-Friendly Yard uncovered this article and, quite frankly...we have to share it! The writer is Meghan Sprague of the Moorseville Tribune. It's a tribute to all those who want to create wildlife-friendly spaces in their yards. Thanks Meghan!!

Lake Norman is now the third Community Wildlife Habitat in the state and Duke Energy is celebrating the designation by hosting the first “Wild Over Lake Norman Backyard Wildlife Fair” on Oct. 1.

It’s from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station on Lake Norman, and admission is free. “We wanted to do a kid-friendly event that gets children outside and encourages families to make their backyard a wildlife-friendly habitat,” said Hailey Wilson, spokesperson for Duke Energy. “We’re using this event to celebrate and commemorate that we are a Community Wildlife Habitat but we still want even more families to take part and get certified.”

She said community partners and vendors in the area have joined Duke to target the event for all ages. “We’ll have face painting, Zootastic Park will be here letting children meet exotic animals while offering pony rides and local experts will tell the kids about native birds, plants, wildlife and the lake,” she said.

Families can hike along the EnergyExplorium’s mile-long nature trail, and vendors from Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville and Davidson will be showing them how to attract wildlife to their backyard.

Added Wilson, “We’re also going to give some gardening tips to make your yard look its best.” Some people might be wondering why they need to worry about their garden in October, but Wilson said it’s the perfect time of year to work in the yard. Speakers will discuss organic gardening and composting.

“It’s a great time to start planning your spring garden, get the soil ready and plant bulbs,” she explained.

Wilson called the event “something different.” “We’re bringing all the experts to you, and you can’t just go anywhere to get all of your outdoor questions answered in one place,” she said. “It’s a great way to get the kids out of the house and enjoy nature while learning more about the area around you.”

Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S believes urban sprawl can be offset by creating wildlife-friendly spaces in America's 25,000,000 lawns, one yard at a time! Click HERE to learn why. A portion of Ad sale revenues will be donated to Monarch Watch. Do you have a wildlife-friendly space? Please share it! Contact us on the secure Bpath Mail Form.