16 August 2010

The City of Dublin has become certified by the National Wildlife Federation as the 43rd Community Wildlife Habitat in the country and the very first community in the state of Ohio to achieve this honor.

In response to City Council’s goal to promote greener and more sustainable habits in the community, Dublin decided to work toward becoming a certified Community Wildlife Habitat in the fall of 2008. Based on Dublin’s population size, the National Wildlife Federation established the certification criteria in four main areas. Dublin was required to:

·         Certify at least 150 homes, five common areas and five schools

·         Educate the community through workshops and presentations

·         Provide opportunities and projects for community participation

·         Develop administrative goals with a designated habitat team

In just a year and a half, Dublin residents, staff and corporate citizens worked to certify 164 homes, five schools, one business and 18 City parks.

The National Wildlife Federation specifically commends Dublin for dedicating 1300 acres to parkland and open space, having one of the strongest tree ordinances in the country and preserving the Scioto River (a critical neo-tropical bird migration corridor).

Nature Education Coordinator Míme Migliore and Administrative Assistant JoAnna Clark led Dublin’s Community Wildlife Habitat team. City residents, Sue Swyt and Tonia Stahl, and city staff, Barb Setterlin and Alex Roxanski, also were contributing members to the team

Community dedication, participation and enthusiasm gave us the opportunity to take on this project that is so focused on cultivating wildlife and embracing our natural resources,” said Migliore. “This certification proves the City is committed to creating a sustainable community for all walks of life.

Seasonal activities including bluebird box monitoring, volunteer invasive plant removals and the “It’s Greener in Dublin” four-part educational series are just a few examples of the programs the National Wildlife Federation likes to see a community initiate.

Migliore and Clark partnered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to host the Northern Franklin County Wildlife Roundtable as well as the Ohio Wildlife Center, a rehab facility for injured wildlife. 

“Dublin was a very “green” city to begin with, but now it is an even friendlier place for wildlife,” said Roxanne Nersesian Paul, senior coordinator of the National Wildlife Federation.

To keep the Community Wildlife Habitat status, the City must continue to earn a minimum amount of points each year. Dublin can earn points for various activities including holding educational meetings about wildlife issues, certifying additional homes or common areas and examining the community’s weed ordinances.

“Aligning with the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Council goals, will assure we continue down a more sustainable pathway, preserving parks for future generations and wildlife,” said Migliore.

For more information, contact Michelle (Míme) Migliore, Nature Education Coordinator, at 614-410-4700 x4730.