Twice Certified Habitat

This afternoon I received a wonderful "attaboy" from the experts concerning the wildlife value of our property. Visiting the grounds were the nature center supervisor and town naturalist based at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. Among their observations:

(1) Excellent variety and layering of our natural area, from very low plants to a high canopy. They even identified several plant species I wasn't aware were there.
(2) Excellent bird attractions, from a higher-than-usual menu of offerings, water, cover, and natural food choices. They liked my having a feeder tree on the street (gives neighbors an advert for attracting wildlife) and liked my "monster" tree.
(3) Good use of nest boxes, including a successful bluebird post box, boxes on pipes (away from snake-friendly trees) and good siting.
(4) Fine deployment of native wildflowers in our gardens.
(5) Wonderful viny growth including impressive stands of Trumpet Vine, grape, and Virginia Creeper, and growing Coral Honeysuckle efforts.
(6) The biggest Blackhaw they've ever seen---in my front yard, no less!

Were there areas for improvement? Of course!, foremost the elimination of nasty non-natives (my Mahonias and Sacred Bamboo, and one Mimosa). But the rest were "tuning" suggestions.

So perhaps we are a role model for others, evidence of what can be done even in a big suburb. I'm ready for another step forwards! To arms--and shovels!