Laurel Lake designated by National Wildlife Federation as wildlife habitat

March 1, 2008 -- A true love of nature recently inspired residents of Laurel Lake Retirement Community to apply to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to have their campus declared a Certified Wildlife Habitat. The move is the latest in the community's ongoing efforts to conserve and protect the environment, starting at home.

Laurel Lake’s 150-acre property, of which more than half is "green space" and devoted to forest, fishing lakes and protected wetlands, provides much-needed habitat for insects, amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, many conditions must be present in order for wildlife to flourish. Wildlife need clean water sources for drinking and bathing. Laurel Lake is fortunate to have two lakes and a spring-fed pond, as well as protected wetlands, man-made water gardens and plenty of fountains and bird baths.

Wildlife must find places to shelter from weather and from predators. Laurel Lake has wooded areas, evergreens, ground cover, dense shrubs/thicket, burrows, water gardens and ponds. Wildlife must also have places to engage in courtship behavior and to bear and raise their young -- mature trees, dead trees and snags, nesting boxes and birdhouses, wetlands, even host plants for caterpillars to live on. All of these are found in abundance on the Laurel Lake campus.

Food essential to a thriving ecosystem is also plentiful at Laurel Lake, with seeds, berries, nuts, nectar, foliage/twigs, pollen and sap freely available along with man-made tube, suet, platform and hummingbird feeders.

The National Wildlife Federation asserts that plant communities, especially native varieties, form the foundation of all wildlife habitat. Laurel Lake’s site is verdant with evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, vines, aquatic plants, ferns, wildflowers and grasses, some planted as part of the community's Adopt-A-Spot and tree planting programs.

Sustainable land management practices are also essential to the health of soil, air, water and habitat for native wildlife – as well as the human community. Laurel Lake practices mulching and composting, controls exotic species, employs drip or soaker hoses for irrigation and has created bio-retention areas throughout the campus to drain and filter storm water run-off naturally. The community also has active Garden and Green Team committees, and continually seeks to foster environmental awareness through the use of a monthly Laurel Lake Beautiful newsletter and frequent educational programs.

National Wildlife Foundation

began the Wildlife Habitat certification program in 1973 and has since certified more than 90,000 habitats nationwide. Certified habitats can be found everywhere from homes to hospitals, places of worship to community parks, corporate buildings to municipal facilities. While the average certified site is between one-third and one-half acre, sites range from urban balconies to thousand-acre areas. Habitat restoration is critical in urban and suburban settings where commercial and residential development encroaches on natural wildlife areas. In addition to providing for wildlife, certified habitats conserve natural resources by reducing or eliminating the need for fertilizers, pesticides or irrigation water, which ultimately protects the air, soil and water. The mission of the NWF is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for their children's future. For information, visit www.nwf.org .

Laurel Lake Retirement Community

is the smart choice for discerning adults who wish to continue leading active lives filled with a variety of interests, including work, travel, fitness, environmentalism, cultural and lifelong learning pursuits. This not-for-profit continuing care retirement community offers multiple home styles within a scenic 150-acre campus. For more information, call 1-866-650-2100 or visit www.laurellake.org.