The Renaissance Retirement Campus in Olmsted Township Designated a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation

Renaissance residents make a difference protecting native wildlife

 

(Olmsted Township, Ohio) – Eliza Jennings, a nationally recognized not-for-profit leader in aging services, is pleased to announce that the Renaissance Retirement Campus in Olmsted Township has successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat^® through the  National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Garden for Wildlife™ program.

The National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, recognizes the Renaissance’s efforts to create a garden that supports birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife. Every Certified Wildlife Habitat garden provides natural sources of food, water, cover, and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water, and doesn’t rely on pesticides. Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens are now also part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, a national effort to create a million gardens that provide habitat for declining pollinator insects such butterflies and bees.

“We are tremendously proud to be designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation,” said Renaissance Executive Director Sandy Skerda. “The residents who comprise the Renaissance Nature Club’s membership deserve many thanks for their efforts in attaining this designation for our beautiful campus.”

Renaissance residents established the Nature Club in 2019. “The purpose of the Nature Club is twofold,” said Renaissance resident Hilton Young. “Members work to preserve the natural environment of the Renaissance campus’ green space for the enjoyment of residents, staff, and families; they also provide educational programs and opportunities for the utilization of the Campus grounds with specific emphasis on thoughtful, environmentally accepted programs.”

Thanks to the generous support of an anonymous Club member, a mile-long, wheelchair accessible nature trail will be constructed through the garden habitat. A contribution of a golf cart from resident Kathy Chapman will provide transportation to provide guided tours of the campus’ natural wildlife habitats. A commemorative sign, contributed by resident Dora Young, was presented to the Renaissance by the Nature Club, designating the campus as a certified wildlife habitat.

“The sign announces to visitors and prospective new members of our community that the Renaissance not only values the people who live here, but also the wildlife with whom we share our space,” said Nature Club President Ann Heidenreich.

The Renaissance Retirement Campus encompasses 100 acres and offers walking pathways offering wheelchair accessibility. The scenic campus features several freshwater ponds and natural areas that support a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Native trees and plants abound.

Celebrating over 45 years, the Garden for Wildlife movement has recognized over 227,000 Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens across the United States to date, encompassing more than 2.5 million acres that support wildlife locally.

Participants who have their wildlife habitat garden certified receive a personalized certificate with a unique habitat number, a one-year membership to NWF with a subscription to National Wildlife magazine, a subscription to the Garden for Wildlife e-newsletter, a 10 percent discount to National Wildlife catalog, and the exclusive right to post a Certified Wildlife Habitat yard sign. For more information on NWF’s Garden for Wildlife movement and how to qualify to have a garden space recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, visit https://www.nwf.org/garden or call 1-800-822-9919.