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Riderwood, an Erickson community, is a pilot project of the Wildlife Habitat Council for retirement community involvement in the Backyard Conservation program. Riderwood's Backyard Conservation program is in full swing! To date, participants have addressed subjects ranging from bats to invasive plants to turtles to pollinators. As more and more residents continue to become aware of Riderwood's commitment to habitat restoration and enhancement, volunteers will grow in number and projects will grow in scope and importance. The habitat projects listed on these pages are critical to native wildlife in such an urban area. But they are also just as important to the residents themselves. These projects promote self-worth and gratification. In the future, they will also influence other Erickson properties and other retirement communities to invest in Backyard Conservation programs. Riderwood plans to expand its current efforts and augment existing wildlife-related programs for residents by implementing additional habitat and environmental education projects in cooperation with the surrounding community. Read about Riderwood's activities. If your retirement community would like to get involved, start a project, or simply acquire more information, contact Whc@wildlifehc.org. On June 8, 2007, in Riderwood's Encore Theater, Thelma Redick, Director of Conservation Education & Outreach, Wildlife Habitat Council, provided a special presentation entitled: "Plants, People and Pollinators," in conjunction with National Pollinator Week. This was the first National Pollinator Week program to be held at Riderwood, which is among the first retirement communities in the world certified as a wildlife habitat by the WHC, and was a useful way for Riderwood residents, staff, and others to raise awareness to support pollinators in particular and wildlife habitat in general. According to Anne Blackburn, resident co-chair of Riderwood's Wildlife Habitat Management Project Steering Committee, by "working in tandem WHC, forums like this not only help WHC get their message out internationally about pollinators, but also helps educate Riderwood residents and staff about the importance of pollinators to the ecosystem health."
Facts and figures were also provided, which highlighted how many of the world's birds, bees, butterflies and bugs are vital to the survival of humans and ecosystems. The pollen they gather and pass to plants is part of a natural chain that puts food on our tables, provides food and cover for wildlife, and helps prevent soil erosion and protect water quality. Pictures of the monarch butterfly sanctuaries of central Mexico were also fascinating. Many of the people in attendance mentioned their interest in learning more about how Riderwood supports pollination, including through its own native habitat, planted gardens, and butterfly gardens. During her discussion, Redick mentioned how Riderwood "has become a green oasis in a very urban area. All habitat volunteer teams are my heroes, actually accomplishing valuable work for the ecosystem," noted Redick. Resident Judy Kneen, commented that the presentation was helpful "not only in relations to how it will help her manage the three campus butterfly gardens, but also in addressing broader habitat issues." Following the presentation in Encore Theater, participants moved to the Lakeside Commons lounge to observe different types of lilies provided by WHC, and discuss how pollination occurs with this type flower. According to Blackburn, this part of the program was a nice way for people to "literally see first-hand the type of pollination that can occur right under their nose."
Helping bluebirds find a new home, by Benjamin Hu, The Gazette It takes a village to not only raise children, but also to raise
During the early phase of Riderwood’s development, the grounds and landscaping staff evaluated the property and developed a partnership with the Wildlife Habitat Council to create a community that would help improve the ecosystem and remain wildlife friendly to plants, animals, and birds of several species. "Bluebirds habitats have been threatened because there are not as many large open fields for them to nest. Since last year, we’ve recorded 26 sightings by 15 people of the eastern bluebird and we even have breeding populations," says Becky Hedin, a member of Riderwood’s Sightings club and the Wildlife Habitat Steering Committee.
Nesting structures help provide a habitat that is key to survival of fledging native species of birds, including the eastern bluebird, helping to increase the population. The eastern bluebird prefers open land with trees, fences or artificial nesting structures that provide feeding and nesting resources. Beyond building nest boxes, the boy scouts partnership also entails working with Riderwood’s Sighting’s group to monitor activity within the bluebird houses where all observations are added to a database inventory of Riderwood’s flora and fauna. According to Riderwood’s Sighting’s wildlife inventory, among the nearly 80 species observed include the bald eagle, great blue heron, blue jay and northern mockingbird. Among the first retirement communities recently certified as a wildlife habitat by the Wildlife Habitat Council, Riderwood is home to a group of environmentally active retirees and staff, known as the Environmental Stewardship Group, who participate in several conservation activities throughout the year across the community to save water and energy, as well as making Riderwood a wildlife friendly campus.
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