Mayor Susan Shin Angulo and Council President David Fleisher are pleased to announce Cherry Hill is now officially certified in the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat TM program, making it the first municipality in Camden County and the fifth in New Jersey to do so.
Through this program, communities work to become healthier, greener, and more wildlife-friendly by creating wildlife habitat throughout the community while educating and engaging residents through events, educational workshops and hands-on service projects.
“This momentous achievement would not have been possible without the volunteer members of our Cherry Hill Environmental Board, as well as hundreds of dedicated residents who took time out of their busy lives to ensure that we are united in our commitment to protecting and enhancing our natural wildlife habitats,” said Mayor Susan Shin Angulo.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude for all of their hard work.”
In order to achieve this certification, 262 homes in Cherry Hill created habitats in their own yards and had them certified by the NWF. The program was initially brought to the attention of the Cherry Hill Environmental Board by local business owner Lisa Herman of Wild Birds Unlimited, who also sponsored the initial registration fee, making this certification a true community-wide effort.
“I know I speak for all of my colleagues on Township Council when I say we are incredibly proud of our residents who made this possible,” said Council President David Fleisher. “We are so grateful for their hard work and dedication to our town and our environment.”
Township Council honored the Cherry Hill Environmental Board and member Barbara Patrizzi with a proclamation at council’s Oct. 12 meeting, thanking them for their efforts spearheading the certification process.
“I want to thank the entire Cherry Hill Environmental Board, and especially volunteer Barbara Patrizzi, for spending the past year and a half diligently working to earn this certification,” said Councilwoman Carole Roskoph.
“I’m especially thankful the Board doesn’t plan to stop here, and will continue the effort to create and certify more wildlife habitats in the Township. Registering my own backyard was a simple process, I encourage any residents who is interested to learn more by visiting nwf.org.”
Cherry Hill Township worked in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat™ program and its state affiliate, New Jersey Audubon, to create wildlife habitat in backyards, container gardens, schoolyards, corporate properties, community gardens, parkland, places of worship and other spaces throughout the community. Each of these sites provides the four basic elements that all wildlife need to thrive: food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise young, while integrating sustainable gardening and landscaping practices.
“Congratulations to Cherry Hill for coming together to earn this certification which will have a lasting impact for wildlife and residents alike,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, Senior Director of Community Wildlife for the National Wildlife Federation.
“Providing a home for wildlife in our communities, where we live, learn, work, play and worship, will help both wildlife and people thrive.”
The Cherry Hill Environmental Board also leads volunteers in ongoing monthly trail maintenance and clean-up days on the township’s 11 trails, and host a number of other events throughout the year which focus on public lands, wildlife habitat restoration, and other environmental concerns.
For more information about the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat™ network, please go to: www.nwf.org/community.
For more National Wildlife Federation news, visit: www.nwf.org/news.
