Birders of St. James
St. James is a
"Community Wildlife Habitat"!
Registered with the National Wildlife Federation in April 2023, the Town of St. James became a “Community Wildlife Habitat.”
It took just over ten months, and we not only met but surpassed all the required points in each category, achieving certification on February 29, 2024. This accomplishment, realized in less than a year, marks St. James as the first coastal community in North Carolina to fulfill the criteria. Additionally, we are proud to be the first community east of Raleigh to attain this prestigious status.
What does this mean for St. James? Through this certification and the process to get here, we are making a statement that we support the balance between community development and the natural world. We are setting an example for other communities to follow. Birding is an exciting way to continue our success!
It also means:
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we encourage a healthy tree canopy and preserving wildlife habitat throughout our town.
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we respect the wildlife species that share this space with us.
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we raise environmental awareness and educate our residents through ongoing programs, speakers and projects, including the "Resources" page on this site.
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we limit the use of chemicals in the landscape and reduce pollution.
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we expand the use of native plants in our landscapes.
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we conserve water and other natural resources.
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we seek out ways to expand and improve the elements required in a habitat.
The sections below list the requirements properties must meet in order to become certified wildlife habitats. Your yard may already qualify if it has some form of these.
Join us in enhancing your property as part of the expanding network of certified wildlife habitats in St. James, North Carolina. As of March 2026, we have 201 individual certified wildlife habitats within our gates.
Is your property one of them?
Entire Towns & Communities
Citizens can work together to plan and implement the certification process for their entire town or community and join the over 370 others across the Country, made up of 300,000 plus individual wildlife habitats. This is a life changing program.
Provide Food
Food can consist of fruit, nuts, seeds, berries, pollen, vegetation, and can be supplemented with bird feeders. Providing food is not just for birds, though they are most visible and easy to attract.
Provide Water
If you are fortunate enough to have a pond, creek or other body of water on your property, you are all set. Otherwise, provide a birdbath or a ground level dish of water. All wildlife need water.
Provide Cover
Cover can consist of trees, shrubs, vines, flower garden, rock pile, wood pile, or other structures where wildlife can find shelter from storms or predators. Even ponds offer shelter for turtles.
Provide Places to raise Young
Similar to cover, this can be any structure or feature that wildlife can use to build a nest and raise a family. It may also include nesting boxes.
Sustainable Gardening Practices
Limit the monoculture turf and create natural areas with a variety of plants. Decrease the use of chemicals in the landscape. Remove non native invasive plants and replace with native vegetation.
Certify your Property!
Once you feel you have some level of each of these elements, then you are ready to certify your property. It doesn't have to be perfect and it can be a work in progress. Use the link below when ready, and use St. James as your address.
Inspire the next generation
Who will be the future stewards of this good earth? It is up to us to connect our children to the wonders of nature at an early age. Provide an alternative to electronics and TV. The natural world will need them and we must empower them now.
As a larger community, we are required to renew our NWF certification annually, and we appreciate your assistance in this matter. Why? Because birding is a huge supporting factor in becoming and maintaining a certified wildlife habitat.
To clarify, there is no requirement for you to recertify your property. The Town of St. James is responsible for annual recertification, which involves adding new properties to our certified list and offering community environmental education programs. Our group is handling this. The most significant action you can take at this moment is to ensure your property is certified and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Fortunately, the majority of properties in St. James already possesses most of the essential elements needed for certification. Additionally, completing the application online takes less than 15 minutes.
The fee for the NWF certification is only $25. You then have the option of ordering an official NWF certification garden flag or a metal sign to display your commitment. We can help you with the online certification process if you prefer.
Simply contact us and we'll make it happen.
Thank you for participating!
"I know of no restorative of heart, body, and soul more effective against hopelessness than the restoration of the Earth."
- Barry Lopez, Helping Nature Heal