Kirkland Children’s School hosted a wildlife habitat certification celebration on Nov. 15, marking the school’s certification as a wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. The certification is an important step in the city’s efforts, headed by the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association, to become one of the nation’s few neighborhoods that meet the requirements.

The Environmental Adventure School in Kirkland is the only other area school that shares the certified distinction with Kirkland Children’s School.

During the event, Mayor James Lauinger untied a large ribbon to open one of the school’s yards to more than 100 children and adults from the neighborhood. Families celebrated by making bird houses and bird feeders and by learning about worms, composting, and beneficial insects. Families were invited to bring a native plant to contribute to the habitat project on the campus.

For more information about the community’s certification project or how you may certify your own yard as a wildlife habitat, visit the National Wildlife Federation Web site at www.nwf.org/backyard.