Celebration Event for Centerra’s Certification as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation

LOVELAND, Colo. – Centerra, the 3,000‐acre master‐planned community located in Loveland, and the High Plains Environmental Center are celebrating the community’s official designation as Colorado’s first Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).  The community designation celebration will occur on September 20, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

To coincide with the event, the City of Loveland is issuing a proclamation declaring Thursday, September 20, Community Wildlife Habitat Day.

Centerra joins a select group of communities across the nation to share in this honor. A Community Wildlife Habitat project creates multiple habitat areas in backyards, schoolyards, corporate properties, community gardens, parkland and other spaces. The event will feature Loveland Mayor Jackie Marsh and other speakers along with food trucks, music, bird banding, habitat tours and a plant sale. The program will recognize resident founding members and unveil a NWF community sign.

WHO: Centerra and High Plains Environmental Center, Mayor Jackie Marsh and other partner organizations, City of Loveland Community Wildlife Habitat Day

WHERE: High Plains Environmental Center, 2698 Bluestem Willow Drive, Loveland, Colo.

WHEN: Thursday, September 20, 2018, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this celebration and to be the first community in Colorado to receive this designation because it recognizes both our own deep commitment to creating sustainable communities that are environmentally aware,” said David Crowder, McWHINNEY’S vice president of community development and general manager of Centerra.

In 2014, the High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) applied to register Centerra as a Community Wildlife Habitat. HPEC staff have worked for the past four years to attain the certification and designation, leading various projects focused on wetland restoration, planting and promoting landscaping for pollinators and native plant propagation.

“We are excited to be hosting this community celebration because these projects benefit native plants, wildlife, and people through the creation of sustainable landscapes that require little or no pesticides, fertilizers, or excess watering,” said Jim Tolstrup of High Plains Environmental Center.

NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program has been helping people take personal action on behalf of wildlife for more than 40 years. The program engages homeowners, businesses, schools, churches, parks and other institutions that want to make their communities wildlife-friendly. The Community Wildlife Habitat project is part of NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program.

“The Gardens at Centerra are unique in so many ways: incorporating what is essentially a botanical garden and native plant nursery as an integral part of a housing and business development represents a profoundly sensitive statement,” said Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator and Director of Outreach of Denver Botanic Gardens. “This is nothing short of revolutionary. I congratulate the parties involved in this fantastic experiment.”

Since 1973, NWF has provided millions of people with the basic guidelines for making their landscapes more wildlife-friendly. There are more than 200,000 certified habitats nationwide.

“Providing a home for wildlife in our cities – whether it’s in neighborhoods or in schools, businesses or parks – is the demonstration of a healthy and active eco-system,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior director of community wildlife with the National Wildlife Federation. “There is no more rewarding way to stay connected to nature than to have it right outside your door.”

Learn more at NWF.org/Community and www.nwf.org/garden, and get more updates from the National Wildlife Federation at NWF.org/News.