Sunrise Re-Certified as Community Wildlife Habitat for 2021
The City of Sunrise has, for the second year-in-a-row, met the annual re-certification requirements to retain our designation as a Community Wildlife Habitat (originally certified in September 2019). Read more below about the activities and initiatives that took place this past year.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is excited to celebrate a greener holiday season with some creative decoration and gift wrapping ideas that will help you reduce waste and bring holiday cheer into your home. In a series of festive blogs, they share their holiday hacks to celebrate the season while also protecting the planet!
NatureScape Emerald Awards recognize businesses, municipalities, schools, government facilities and homeowners that have created and maintained model Florida-friendly landscapes or completed exceptional projects that demonstrate visible ecological practices. Applications and nominations are accepted through December 31, 2021. In order to quality your yard or project must be recognized by UF/IFAS Florida Friendly program or NWF Garden for Wildlife. The winners will receive their awards and trophies at a ceremony during the 20th Anniversary Annual Water Matters Day, March 12, 2022, at Tree Tops Park in Davie. Last year, the City of Sunrise was awarded a 2020 Emerald Award for Sunrise Sportsplex (NW 50 Street).
Monarch butterfly from the Sunrise Sportsplex Butterfly Garden. Photo Credit: Nicholas Degloma, Field Supervisor, Sunrise Leisure Services.
Gardening for Wildlife Protects Birds
Exciting news for birds! A new study conducted by the USDA Forest Service has found that yards certified as wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation’s certification program support a wider variety of bird species compared with more traditional yard landscaping. Hopefully, you stopped by the Good and Green Booth at the Arts & Crafts Fair Winter Wonderland event to learn about some common backyard birds and how you can contribute to conservation right in your own yard - by planting natives like Firebush, Wild Coffee and Beautyberry (see list of plants in the link below).
Senior Center volunteers, Sustainability Advisory Board members, and the Sunrise Clean Team pose for a group photo after installing the new demonstration butterfly garden at the Senior Center.
Leisure Services staff "dig in" and help Project Perch install artificial burrows in Flamingo Park to give owls a space to nest off of our recreation fields.
Tim Welch, Utilities Director, and Sangeeta Dhulashia, Assistant Director of Utilities, wave from the demonstration butterfly garden at the Sunrise Earth Day Green To Go event.
2021 Highlights By The Numbers
The National Wildlife Federation currently partners with 200 municipalities and communities through the Community Wildlife Habitat program (current communities map). “Certified Communities” have achieved their certification and are partnering with the National Wildlife Federation to maintain their certification over time.
Sunrise registered in 2017 and became certified by September 2019. Each year, the City maintains programming launched during the certification stage, and continues to educate and engage the community, and installs a certified habitat garden. Here is a brief recap on what was accomplished in 2021 for the annual re-certification:
Certified properties in Sunrise: 8 Homes, 3 Schools, and 2 Common Areas
1 demonstration butterfly garden with signage at the Sunrise Senior Center
2 educational videos released as part of new Good and Green Video Series showcasing our wildlife stewardship and partners
4 Artificial Burrows installed at Flamingo Park, and 1 owl rescue and release in partnership with Project Perch
38 bee hives removed as part of Bee Rescue Project at Oscar Wind Park
1 presentation to the Sunrise Residents Leadership Academy (RLA) Summer Cohort 2021
2 community marketing, outreach and education events on habitat stewardship as part of the Sunrise Earth Day Green To Go and the Sunrise BioBlitz
There are a Number of Ways to Get Involved
Be A Butterfly Hero and certify your yard - each yard, and commercial landscape, in Sunrise that certifies counts toward our annual re-certification points!
Join the Sunrise Citizen Volunteer Corps as a Environmental Sustainability volunteer, you will get notified of Good and Green volunteer opportunities in Sunrise
Attend a Sustainability Advisory Board meeting (Check the City calendar for an upcoming meeting)
