Amidst an ever-changing skyline and non-stop population growth, it’s nice to hear that Austin is also considered the number one city for wildlife in the U.S.!
In March, the National Wildlife Federation’s ranked America’s 100 largest cities and awarded Austin top honors for being the most wildlife-friendly big city in the country for the second year in a row. The NWF looked at how each city—and its residents—were taking direct action to help wildlife. It examined their efforts to set aside parks and open space, plant urban forests, and incorporate wildlife conservation into sustainability plans, even amidst challenges such as needing to pave new roads and expand neighborhoods.
Some of the statistics that earned Austin top billing include:
- 2,616 certified wildlife habitats – that’s more than any other city in the country. These habitats provide all the elements wildlife needs to survive — including food, water, cover, and places to raise their young — while integrating sustainable gardening practices.
- Signatory of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, which engages mayors in efforts to restore the habitat and improve city landscapes for the declining monarch butterfly.
- Creation and conservation of wildlife habitats through our Wildlife Austin program.
- Roughly 300 park properties within city boundaries, including greenbelts, and about 2,200 acres designated as preserves.
So how do we stay at the top of the list? One thing individuals can do is to become certified Wildlife Habitats. And schools can become certified Schoolyard Habitats. Click the links to find out more about how you can get involved.
We Austinites treasure our outdoor spaces. We’re grateful to live in a city that is focused on making Austin a safe haven for wildlife.