As part of a townwide effort to teach children and adults about creating habitats for birds and butterflies, Milton, MA has been certified by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) as the first Community Wildlife Habitat in New England--the 14^th community in the entire U.S. to have achieved this honor.

What started as a project to create outdoor learning spaces (schoolyard habitats or outdoor classrooms) at all public schools in Milton has grown into a community-wide project coordinated by the Milton Outdoor Classrooms team. Located on the Neponset River and its estuary, almost 40% of the town is protected open space (the Blue Hills Reservation). By creating habitats in backyards, schools and public places, Milton is striving to enhance its existing natural spaces and compensate for development in other areas of town. “The project has not only benefited wildlife,” said Janet MacNeil (Milton Outdoor Classroom coordinator), “but has also brought diverse segments of our community together to work for a common positive goal.”

Working closely with NWF’s Northeast Field Office and the Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN) under an EPA grant, teacher training workshops were held for all public and private schools to show them how to create schoolyard habitats. Residents were also able to attend backyard habitat presentations and 25 Habitat Stewards were trained in April 2005 to go out into the community and help residents certify their yards as wildlife habitats, create habitats in public places, and volunteer at the schoolyard habitats. An ongoing program is planned to continue educating teachers, students, and the community about habitats, water conservation practices, natural lawn care alternatives, and the benefits of using native plants. In order to achieve NWF certification, a site must demonstrate that it provides the four elements of habitat: water, food, shelter, and places to raise young.

So far, the Milton Outdoor Classrooms team has certified outdoor learning spaces at 7 schoolyards, including a preschool, an elementary school, a high school, Milton Academy, and 3 outdoor nature learning centers. Milton High School woodshop students are currently making benches for their courtyard habitat out of wood from dismantled park arbors. Additional schoolyard habitat projects are starting at the middle school and two other elementary schools. In addition to involving students in the outdoor classroom planning and design process, the outdoor classrooms are being integrated into the existing curriculum. So far, students have participated in hands-on nature studies focusing on topics such as bulbs, pumpkins, herbs, tree identification, nature sketching, butterflies, worms, and winter habitats for birds.

After learning about the project through newspaper articles, presentations, and town events, residents have been enthusiastic about creating habitats in their backyards. Brownies have certified their yards as troop projects, and the Selectmen and School Committee demonstrated their support by certifying their yards. In all, over 160 residents have certified their backyards so far. The team has also helped certify 23 public places including the historic Suffolk Resolves House, a low income elderly/disabled housing development, churches, the Milton Public Library, Milton Town Hall, the Milton Cemetery, Milton Hospital, and public parks. Natalie Albers, whose vision inspired the Milton Outdoor Classrooms project, is “delighted at the way the outdoor classroom project has captured the imagination of students, teachers, parents, and community members.” She said, “Our entire town has become a learning space for residents and children alike.”

Additional information about the project is available on this website or by calling Janet MacNeil at 617.698.7013.