National Wildlife Federation Certifies New Wildlife Habitat at Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery, Ramona California

Local residents making a difference to protect wildlife

Ramona, CA– (February 18, 2016)National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, is pleased to recognize that Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery in Ramona, California has successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat® through its Garden for Wildlife program. NWF celebrates the efforts of Ramona Ranch to create space that improves habitat for birds, butterflies, frogs and other wildlife by providing essential elements needed by all wildlife – natural food sources, clean water, cover and places to raise young. Certification also makes Ramona Ranch’s Certified Wildlife Habitat® part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, a national effort to restore critical habitat for pollinators.

 

“Sustainability and honoring our gardens, orchard, vineyards and open spaces that are a part of our ranch is important to us.”

“We are so excited to have another passionate wildlife gardener join us and create a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Over the last 40 years, nearly 200,000 wildlife gardeners have joined NWF’s Garden for Wildlife movement and helped restore wildlife habitat right in their own yards and neighborhoods,” said David Mizejewski, naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation.

“Sustainability and honoring our gardens, orchard, vineyards and open spaces that are a part of our ranch is important to us.” Said Teri Kerns, owner. “Our guests and I enjoy watching nature and I wanted to do my part to help. Planting insect, bird and butterfly zones while installing owl boxes makes our ranch more inviting to wildlife, gives us something to enjoy and helps us to be greener while saving time in the long run to enjoy time outside.”

Co-owner and wine-maker, Micole Moore agrees. “Native, drought tolerant plants thrive and attract beneficial wildlife while drip irrigation, composting, and hand management of our vineyards results in a balanced crop load and superior wines. We don’t push our vines to over-produce, believing instead that the long-term effects of thoughtful viticulture and our stewardship will benefit all creatures and our wines to come.”

NWF’s Garden for Wildlife program encourages responsible gardening that helps pollinators and other wildlife thrive. It encourages planting with native species like milkweed and discouraging chemical pesticide use. With nearly 200,000 locations and growing, NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitats and Community Wildlife Habitats recognize individuals, schools, groups and whole communities committed to providing habitat for wildlife, including pollinators. Each of the nearly 200,000 certified locations provides food, water, cover and places to raise young. This makes yards, schools, businesses, places of worship, campuses, parks, farms and other community-based landscapes into wildlife sanctuaries. For more information on gardening for wildlife and details on how an entire community can become certified, visit www.nwf.org/habitat or call 1-800-822-9919.

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National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.