Austin named top city for wildlife

The National Wildlife Federation is honoring Austin as the top city in the country with the strongest commitment to wildlife — and we’re not talking Red River Street here. As part of its celebration of National Wildlife Week 2015, the agency released its list of the Top 10 Cities for Wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation ranked America’s largest cities based on three important criteria for wildlife — the percentage of parkland in each city, citizen action to create wildlife habitat and school adoption of outdoor learning in wildlife gardens. The agency cited the city’s Wildlife Austin program as an example of how Austin protects its wildlife. The agency also noted that, among the cities reviewed, Austin has the most Certified Wildlife Habitats (2,154), the most Backyard Habitats per capita and the most Schoolyard Habitats (67). Other major cities in the Top 10 include Portland, Oregon; Atlanta; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Seattle; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Indianapolis; Charlotte, North Carolina; and New York City.