For release: October 2, 2012
For press information, contact Joellen Dimond, 901-678-3511

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has recognized the University of Memphis as an official Certified Wildlife Habitat. The designation recognizes the campus for providing a wildlife-friendly landscape for birds and other animals.

The University is an urban campus of 300 acres. There are large open lawns, a wide variety of shrubs, and more than 4,000 trees that provide food and shelter for wildlife. The campus has an amazing diversity of wildlife, including birds, grey squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks and snakes. Falcons, raccoons, red foxes, and coyotes also have been seen on the campus. 

“It is amazing that here in the middle of an urban setting we have an abundance of wildlife,” said Joellen Dimond, U of M horticulturist. “The Campus Landscape section of Physical Plant provides good stewardship of the land and has nurtured a diverse environment that sustains the four elements needed to attract and maintain wildlife – water, food, shelter and a place to raise young. The most outstanding wildlife are the Red-tailed Hawks. They are fascinating to watch majestically flying between buildings and catching and eating prey.”

The U of M also has many sustainability initiatives, including recycling, energy-saving, and a community garden.

NWF began the Wildlife Habitat certification program in 1973 and has since certified more than 126,000 habitats nationwide. The majority of these sites represent the work of individuals and families providing habitat near their homes, but NWF has also certified more than 3,000 schools and hundreds of business and community sites. The average habitat is less than an acre, but certified sites range from urban balconies to thousand-acre tracts.

“Students come here for academics, but the University of Memphis also delivers experiences in nature that will stay with them and all who visit for many years,” Dimond said.

For more information, contact Dimond at 901-678-3511 or jdimond@memphis.edu.