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Johns Creek youth leading effort to bring wildlife habitat title to City

A 15-year-old Johns Creek High School student is waging a community-wide campaign to have the entire city designated as a National Wildlife Habitat Community.

In order to attain the certification from the National Wildlife Federation, Malcolm Barnard has enlisted the help of the National Park Service, the Georgia Adopt-a-Stream program, and the state Environmental Protection Division. He is receiving support from master gardeners and other green activists.

"I think a lot of people choose to live in Johns Creek because it's a natural community," said Barnard, a freshman at Johns Creek High School. "Nature lovers are choosing Johns Creek to live. People want a natural community. That's what they found here."

If Barnard succeeds, Johns Creek will be the second city in Georgia – and the state's largest – to become a National Wildlife Habitat Community. Only 50 other cities in the country have the certification.

"I'm excited at the possibility that Johns Creek could be designated a Wildlife Habitat Community," said Mayor Mike Bodker. "It shows that we're not only a great place to live and raise a family, but a great place for Mother Nature's friends as well."

For the City to receive the designation, Barnard needs 300 homes, five schools, and six community areas, such as churches, to be certified as wildlife habitats.

Home certification is relatively easy. To be certified by the National Wildlife Federation, property owners must submit a form to the federation attesting that the property has food for wildlife, water, places for cover, and places to raise young.

Food could be berries, bird seed, or pollen. Cover could be a wooded area, dense shrubs or a meadow. Places to raise young could be mature trees, dense shrubs or a meadow.

"There are a lot of areas that should fit," Barnard said.

Barnard, who wants to be a marine biologist, said he chose the project because while it would be a challenge, it seemed achievable and beneficial.

"It seemed like a lot of work, but it's good for the community," Barnard said.

The National Wildlife Federation is the country's largest conservation organization.