Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain has been recognized as a wildlife-friendly community by the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program.

To receive this designation, community leaders commit to building collaborative relationships with residents, educators, youth, city officials, families and more to educate them about and engage them in the creation of native plant habitat for people and wildlife.

Each community is required to certify a proportion of their residential homes, schools, and public spaces as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat. These critical pockets of habitat throughout their community provide the four basic elements that all wildlife need to thrive: food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise young, and are managed using sustainable gardening and landscaping practices.

Participants educate and engage Givens Highland Farms residents through monthly events, workshops and hands-on service projects. Givens Highland Farms is the 187th community in the country and the 97th community in North Carolina to earn this designation.

“Congratulations to Givens Highland Farms 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 habitat 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.”

“We love the beauty and wildlife diversity of our Western North Carolina mountains.” said Matt Sharpe, Executive Director, Givens Highland Farms. “Our residents lead hikes, watch birds, maintain and monitor over 100 nest boxes, remove invasive plants, plant pollinator gardens, and more. Certifying Givens Highland Farms as a Community Wildlife Habitat aligns with our values and lifestyles.

“Givens Highland Farms worked in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program to certify our community’s wildlife habitats including pollinator gardens, and woodland and wetland habitats, and collaborated with the Wildlife Federation’s local chapter Swannanoa Valley Wild! to offer free educational opportunities and habitat restoration workdays.”