Nashville Zoo’s commitment to local conservation and wildlife support has reached a new milestone with the certification of its Grassmere Historic Farm as a Backyard Bird Sanctuary by The Habitat Connection. This certification underscores the Zoo’s dedication to creating and maintaining native habitats that bolster wild bird populations alongside other species.
The Habitat Connection, a notable local non-profit, champions the establishment of native habitats by businesses and homeowners alike, aiming to foster biodiversity and ecological balance. According to John Kell, Co-Founder of The Habitat Connection, achieving such certification involves providing multiple sources of food and shelter for birds, maintaining a clean water source, eliminating the use of pesticides, removing invasive non-native plants, and minimizing light pollution. These efforts lay the groundwork for a robust ecosystem right in the heart of Nashville.
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The Nashville Zoo’s Grassmere Historic Farm’s certification as a Backyard Bird Sanctuary is part of a broader array of conservation endeavors undertaken by the Zoo. These include the establishment of an apiary in 2022, conservation programs for various native species such as streamside salamanders, alligator snapping turtles, and Eastern hellbenders, as well as efforts to track and conserve Eastern box turtles, loggerhead shrikes, and Nashville crayfish within its premises.
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Nashville Zoo stands as a testament to high standards in animal care and conservation efforts. With over 1.4 million annual visitors, it remains Middle Tennessee’s top tourist attraction, supported generously by the local community, donors, and sponsors. Located just south of downtown Nashville, the Zoo continues to be a beacon of conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs, and educational initiatives both locally and internationally. For more information on the Zoo’s conservation efforts and educational programs, visitors are encouraged to explore the Nashville Zoo’s official website.
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