Backyard Wildlife Habitat Fair

Backyard Wildlife Habitat gardening is a growing movement connecting people with their local wildlife. Whidbey Island has reached a high enough participation level in the Whidbey Island Wildlife Habitat Project offered by the National Wildlife Federation that the entire island is being certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

Friends of Freeland, Whidbey Audubon Society, and Whidbey Watershed Stewards, all non-profits working for the good of our communities, are holding a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Fair to celebrate our certification! We invite you to join us by becoming a sponsor, vendor or participant.

We are excited to feature Freeland as a host community for this event. The fair will be held on June 2nd, 2012, from 10-4 at historic Freeland Hall, located near the shore of beautiful Holmes Harbor along Shoreline Dr.

There will be informational speakers, displays, and workshops on a range of topics plus an Audubon Children's Corner. Local businesses which promote backyard wildlife and healthy gardening themes will be encouraged to apply early for space.

Vendors will sell everything to make a homeowners backyard more inviting for wildlife. Purely ornamental additions to a patio or deck will also be for sale. Maps will direct visitors to every business in Freeland. Featured Speakers, a Children's Hand's On Corner, and a Guided Bird Tour through the Friends of Freeland Wetland are being discussed as part of the day's agenda. Live birds and bats may join the festivities. Every business will be encouraged to display a birdhouse on their premises.

Whidbey is already an island of backyards, whether they be 10-20 acre parcels, smaller "city-size" lots, balconies, church or school yards. By taking just a few simple, affordable steps, these spaces can become even more friendly to birds, bats, and other living creatures- in other words, a wildlife sanctuary that will become more interesting for our families and friends.

Whidbey Island still has a wealth of wildlife that can easily disappear without notice as our communities grow in scale. The Backyard Wildlife Habitat Fair will spread the word that we have an opportunity to design and manage our outdoor spaces to retain and promote the wealth and diversity of plants, birds, bees and mammals that we currently enjoy.

For more details on how you can join this growing movement click here.

For more information, contact: ellen@fof.whidbey.com