St. James: is a "Community Wildlife Habitat"!
St. James Conservancy registered the Town of St. James with the National Wildlife Federation on April 22, 2023, to become a “Community Wildlife Habitat.” To obtain the necessary certification points, various requirements across multiple areas and tasks had to be fulfilled. The points are determined based on population and zip codes.
In just over ten months, we not only met but surpassed all the required points in each category, achieving certification on February 29, 2024. This accomplishment, realized in less than a year, marks St. James as the first coastal community in North Carolina to fulfill the criteria. Additionally, we are proud to be the first community east of Raleigh to attain this prestigious status.
What does this mean for St. James? Through this certification and the process to get here, we are making a statement that we support the balance between community development and the natural world. We are setting an example for other communities to follow.
It also means:
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we support a healthy tree canopy and preserve wildlife habitat throughout our town.
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we respect the wildlife species that share this space with us.
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we raise environmental awareness and educate our residents through ongoing programs, speakers and projects, including the "Resources" page on this site.
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we limit the use of chemicals in the landscape and reduce pollution.
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we expand the use of native plants in our gardens.
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we conserve water and other natural resources.
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we seek out ways to expand and improve the elements required in a habitat.
The sections below list the requirements properties must meet in order to become certified wildlife habitats. Your yard may already qualify if it has some form of these. St. James Conservancy was featured by the National Wildlife Federation in an outreach article that went out to every community wildlife habitat across the United States. Click on the PDF on the left and read our story.
Obtaining certification for your yard is more straightforward than you might imagine, and we are ready to assist you! For a nominal contribution of $20, we will come to your property, evaluate your landscape, and offer guidance on the necessary steps to achieve certification. We will suggest suitable plant varieties, recommend the best types of bird feeders and baths, and provide resources for purchasing these items. Please note that a separate fee for NWF certification will be required. Join us in enhancing your property as part of the expanding network of certified wildlife habitats in St. James, North Carolina!
Provide Food
Food can consist of fruit, nuts, seeds, berries, pollen, vegetation, and can be supplemented with bird feeders. This is not just for birds, though they are most visible and easy to attract.
Provide Water
If you are fortunate enough to have a pond, creek or other body of water on your property, you are all set. Otherwise, provide a birdbath or a ground level dish of water. All wildlife need water.
Provide Cover
Cover can consist of trees, shrubs, vines, flower garden, rock pile, wood pile, or other structures where wildlife can find shelter from storms or predators. Even ponds offer shelter for turtles.
Provide Places to raise Young
Similar to cover, this can be any structure or feature that wildlife can use to build a nest and raise a family. It may also include nesting boxes.
Sustainable Gardening Practices
Limit the monoculture turf and create natural areas with a variety of plants. Decrease the use of chemicals in the landscape. Remove non native invasive plants and replace with native vegetation.
Certify your Property!
Once you feel you have some level of each of these elements, then you are ready to certify your property. It doesn't have to be perfect and it can be a work in progress. Use the link below when ready, and use St. James as your address.
It is now necessary for us to renew our certification annually, and we appreciate your assistance in this matter. To clarify, there is no requirement for you to recertify your property. The Town of St. James is responsible for annual recertification, which involves adding new properties to our certified list and offering community environmental education programs. The most significant action you can take at this moment is to ensure your property is certified and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Fortunately, the majority of properties in St. James already possesses most of the essential elements needed for certification. Additionally, completing the application online takes less than 15 minutes.
The fee for the NWF certification is $20. You also have the option to order an official NWF certification garden flag to display your commitment. If you prefer, hard copies of the application are available.
Thank you for participating!
