January 10 – 31, 2009
Urban Habitat
Tucson Audubon’s Urban Habitat Program is part of a larger urban-oriented initiative designed to reconcile the needs of people and wildlife through the enlightened design of urban and exurban spaces. The Urban Habitat Program seeks to create habitat for birds and other wildlife in yards, neighborhoods, parks, commercial spaces, and along roadways. It is motivated by the desire to support and increase wildlife populations, increase wildlife appreciation, and beautify the metropolitan landscape. Research based on the Audubon Christmas Bird Counts and the Tucson Bird Count suggests that even populations of relatively common birds are now declining, particularly in the more densely inhabited central Tucson area.

Wildlife-oriented Landscape Design
While some home and campus owners may create habitats themselves, it is likely that many will engage designers and installers to create and implement these designs. The Wildlife Landscape Design Certification Course will have, as one of its outcomes, certification to install a Tucson Audubon Landscape. The course will train landscape designers to create landscapes that not only meet traditional landscaping goals, but also provide food, shelter and nesting opportunities for birds, and that provide for the needs of other small urban wildlife (arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals).

The course will link program designers with suppliers of nursery plants to ensure that we complete the circle between concept and installation.

Course Format
The course will consist of seven meetings on consecutive Saturday mornings (9-11 a.m.) and Wednesday evenings (7-9 p.m.). The first class meeting will be on Saturday January 10, 2009. Meetings will continue every Wednesday and Saturday through Saturday January 31. Wednesday evening meetings will be held at the Tucson Audubon Society offices in the Historic YWCA, 738 N. 5th Ave. Saturday meetings will be held at other locations to be determined, based on the availability of natural and landscaped reference sites. The final Saturday will be a field trip.

A plant list, an optional reading list, and other useful materials will be provided as part of the cost of the course. The course will need a minimum of 8 students, but will be limited to a maximum of 20.

Cost: $250

To sign up, please send a deposit of $50 by November 15, 2008 to hold your place. A considerable number of people have expressed an interest in the course. Deposits are not refundable after December 15. Please send them to Tucson Audubon, Attn. Jean Barchman, 300 E University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705

For more information about signing up, or to pay with a credit card, contact Jean Barchman at 622-5622 or jbarchman@tucsonaudubon.org.

For more information about the class, contact Kendall Kroesen at (520) 206-9900, (520) 971-2385 cell, or kkroesen@tucsonaudubon.org.