Lakota East High School's Certified Wildlife Habitat: A Triumph for Local Wildlife

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, announced that Lakota East Science Teacher Mark Folta has successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat® through the Garden for Wildlife™ movement.

The organization shared, “NWF celebrates this effort to create a garden that supports birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife. Every Certified Wildlife Habitat garden provides natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water and doesn’t rely on pesticides.”

“Our reforestation area was the result of over 200 student volunteers and stock supplies from Delhi Nursery in Liberty Township,” said Folta. “Funding was provided by grants from the Taking Root Foundation, Lakota Education Association, Lakota Foundation and (the) Butler County Educational Service Center.”

The project began in 2017, when Folta was inspired after reading Wangari Maathai's book "Unbowed." Students in Folta’s advanced placement environmental science classes developed a reforestation plan, which included saplings inspired by community member Mark Dunaway's successful efforts on his private farm. With support from East’s administrators, the initiative grew to include the school’s Lakota Environmental Advocates Forum (LEAF) club, National Honor Society and Environmental Science classes. 

Folta shared his motivation for the project: "I find peace around nature and wanted to attract pollinators to our school garden to yield organically grown fruit and vegetables. This adds to the outdoor educational experience since students learn about agriculture, specifically pest and soil management. Students also designed and planted a 1-acre reforestation area, which is an ongoing project and study area for biodiversity."

Over the years, LEAF club and NHS members, along with students, have volunteered to plant and maintain the area. The District's ground maintenance and service center teams also help manage weeds and invasive plants.

Since its inception in 1973, the Garden for Wildlife movement has grown to become the nation’s oldest and largest native plant and habitat program. It has recognized over 300,000 Certified Wildlife Habitat® gardens across North America and at 39 embassies worldwide, covering an estimated four million acres that support local wildlife. These habitats can be found in backyards, urban gardens, school grounds, businesses, places of worship, campuses, parks, farms, zoos and community landscapes.

Mary Phillips, Head of Garden for Wildlife™/Certified Wildlife Habitat®, expressed excitement about the new Certified Wildlife Habitat®, noting that research shows certified properties can support twice as much wildlife compared to non-certified properties.

NWF Naturalist David Mizejewski emphasized that anyone can restore wildlife habitat in their own yards and communities saying, "Whether you garden in a suburban yard, an urban area, or a rural plot of land, you can make a difference for local wildlife. Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat garden is fun, easy, and makes a real difference for neighborhood wildlife. It’s the perfect grassroots way to think globally and act locally."