City might be wildlife habitat

If two local environmental activists have it their way, Bloomington will be the fourth city in the nation to be certified as a community wildlife habitat.\nWednesday evening at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Lecturer Lucille Bertuccio and graduate student Kara Bush, two representatives from the Center for Sustainable Living, offered advice on how to make homes and communities wildlife habitats.\nBush said a certain percentage of homes, schools and rentals must be certified before a community can become a wildlife habitat. Communities must meet the four criteria of the National Wildlife Federation to become certified.\nA yard or surrounding environment must have ample food, water, shelter and places to raise young. These habitats are for the many animals that populate southern Indiana, including deer, opossums, raccoons, butterflies and worms. Creating a habitat consists of "doing small things that make a big impact," Bertuccio said.\nAdorning one's property with bird feeders, bird baths and native plants is one way to start, she said. Another key ingredient to creating a wildlife habitat is to stop mowing the lawn, she added. \n"Most grasses are not native to the U.S.," Bertuccio said.\nSo far, Bloomington schools are the community's biggest participants.\n"We already have six schools interested in becoming wildlife habitats," Bertuccio said. \nOne of these schools has already created a compost heap to watch the remains of its food become soil. Currently, only 23 individuals have been certified. For the community to be certified, 20 percent of Bloomington's 67,000 residents must be approved. \nDavid Rollo, research associate in biology and a city-appointed volunteer with the environmental commission, said the wildlife plan should eventually be successful. \nKristie Lindberg, a Bloomington resident who moved here from the Chicago suburbs, said she agrees and believes Bloomington could become a wildlife habitat.\n"I've talked to a couple (of) people already. Everyone seems really for it," she said.\nIn the quest to make Bloomington a wildlife habitat, Bertuccio and Bush have encountered challenges and said the University has posed problems.\n"A university should be at the cutting edge of this stuff," Bertuccio said. "But they use a lot of chemicals on their lawns." \nBush said some students are interested in helping, as the group hopes to spruce up an area near Jordan Hall. The biggest challenge seems to be educating local residents and getting them interested.\nResidents must fill out an application to become certified, which includes purchasing a $15 packet called "Gardening for Wildlife." The packets are on display in the Monroe County Library.\nVolunteers and citizens agree the goal to create a community wildlife habitat requires the community support.\n"We have wild ideas," Bertuccio said. "And we need your help"