By Carmen Lindsey

carmen.lindsey@gaflnews.com

CORDELE— Twenty five acres of vast woodland and pasture have been recognized as a Wildlife Habitat site by The National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

Dr. Kathy Basnar, the owner of the property, received a Certificate of Achievement on April 16, which confirmed that her land is an official NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat site.

The property is home to a variety of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife which help to protect the local environment. The property also contains two wetlands with a stream that connects both.

Dr. Basnar has now joined a prestigious group of NWF members across the country who have been recognized for protecting and nurturing wildlife in their yards, schools/educational settings, and community spaces.

In order to submit her property as a wildlife habitat, she had to fill out a detailed form. She wrote down the types of food, water, cover, and places to raise young that wildlife need to continue to survive adequately.

She also had to list at least five animals that live on the property before she could become a certified member of the NWF.

“Joining the federation is not time consuming at all,” said Dr. Basnar. “Anybody can do this. Hopefully you can have all the ingredients to make your property a wildlife habitat site.”

Dr. Kathy Basnar teaches school at Sumter Youth Development Center in Americus. She has lived in Crisp County for thirty years and is a native of Turner County.

She earned her doctorate at Nova University in Florida.

“I like the Wildlife Federation because it’s sensible. It’s practical and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to become a member,” she said.

Dr. Basnar has three children and three grandchildren.

The National Wildlife Federation began the Wildlife Habitat certification program in 1973 and has since certified over 75,000 habitats nationwide.