Congratulations are in order for Phyllis and Warren Strohmeyer of Rochelle Park, who recently became the first recipients of a Bergen County Audubon Society Wildlife Garden Certification.

The new program aims to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring that backyards, schoolyards, business grounds and other areas benefit wildlife. The BCAS invites homeowners, communities, schools, nature centers and others to have their gardens certified.

Commenting on the Strohmeyer’s superb efforts to create and maintain a garden that is inviting to birds, butterflies and other wildlife, BCAS President Don Torino said: “The backyard native plants provide what our birds, butterflies and pollinators need to survive. They have not only made a better place for wildlife but also a healthier place for the entire community.”

Want to learn more about the BCAS’ Certified Wildlife Garden Program? Come out to Wild Birds Unlimited on Route 17 south in Paramus this Saturday at 10 am for a seminar on how to create a Bergen Audubon Certified Wildlife Garden. For more information contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983.

Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry is one of the last stands of hardwood lowland forest in the Meadowlands District and the very last that is accessible to the general public. The park is a 22-acre magical hidden gem in an otherwise congested part of Bergen County, where birders can see migrants such as Hooded and Blackburnian Warblers, where Wood and Swainsons Thrush have the run of the forest floor, and Bald Eagles soar over this unique and distinctive nature preserve.

In order to document as well as celebrate the incredible diversity of the bird life that thrives at Losen Slote, Bergen County Audubon Society sponsored a “Big Year” Competition in 2015 . A Big Year goes from January 1 to December 31. During that time birders compete to see how many species can be seen in that given year. This first ever “Big Year at Losen Slote Creek” was won by Chris Takacs of Lyndhurst with 83 species of birds!

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