Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE): Community Wildlife Habitat Neighborhood Challenge

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Announcing the Community Wildlife Habitat Neighborhood Challenge

The Challenge Ends September 30
We are challenging Arlington's civic associations to certify the most properties within their boundaries as backyard wildlife habitats. The criteria for becoming a wildlife habitat are providing food, water, shelter and places to raise young.

Between now and September 30, we’re offering special incentives for people who get their properties certified.

Need help with the certification form? Meet us at Arlington Central Library on Sunday, September 25 at the Neighborhood Challenge Finish Line event.

Prizes for Individuals
We’ll have weekly drawings for newly certified habitats of the following prizes:

$10 gift certificates to Meadows Farms Nurseries

$5 gift certificates to Arlington Gift & Garden and Wild Birds Unlimited

Native or wildlife-friendly plants delivered to your home

Hand-painted garden art including flower pots and stones

Already certified? You can win a $50 gift certificate to the Behnke Nurseries by helping to get friends and neighbors to certify their properties. E-mail us at office@arlingtonenvironment.org to let us know the name and address of anyone you get certified.

Are you ready to certify your property? Visit the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat site to complete the certification form. The form can be completed online or mailed directly to NWF.

Prizes for Civic Associations
In addition to boasting rights of being the most wildlife-friendly neighborhood in Arlington, all civic associations that certify at least five new properties during the contest period will be recognized by the Arlington County Board. There will also be awards of refreshments for 30 from the following community restaurants supporting the project:
Lebanese Taverna:

For the civic association with the most new certifications from January through September 30, 2005.
Heidelberg Pastry:

For the civic association with the most certifications (since NWF began the program in 1973).
My Organic Market:

For the civic association with the most certifications per square mile.

View the Current Standings (as of 9/13/2005)
Most Certifications Category
Most New Certifications in 2005 Category
Most Certifications per Square Mile - coming soon!
Alphabetical List of Certifications by Civic Association

If you have any questions or corrections to our data: please e-mail office@arlingtonenvironment.org. We apologize about any errors.

The Rules
The contest will begin January 5 and will end September 30, 2005. All applications for certification must be received by National Wildlife Federation or postmarked no later than September 30. Winning civic associations will be announced at a ceremony in November. All prizes are awarded at the discretion of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and the Arlington Community Wildlife Habitat team.

More Information
The Neighborhood Challenge is part of the Arlington Community Wildlife Habitat project, a three-year initiative to educate and assist Arlingtonians in the creation of wildlife habitats to benefit its people, plants and wildlife. All types of properties are eligible for certification including homes, apartments, condominiums, schools, places of worship, and work places. We also have resource packets, a Powerpoint presentation, and naturalist experts available to assist your members in their effort. Please contact us at office@arlingtonenvironment.org for assistance.

Resources
Flyer with 10 easy steps for creating a backyard wildlife habitat
Neighborhood Challenge Flyer suitable for posting in your neighborhood - PDF
NWF Certification Form - PDF
Creating Wildlife Habitats - 10 steps - PowerPoint Presentation - note file is large (24MB)

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment
• 3308 S. Stafford St. • Arlington, VA • 22206 •
• (703) 228-6427 • office@arlingtonenvironment.org

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