Peaceful Montessori wins wildlife habitat designation

Parkside — Julie Davis, the director of A Peaceful Path Montessori school at 3101 N.E. 150th Ave., was concerned about “the lack of connection between young children and nature these days.” So she decided to make her little landscape as hospitable to wildlife as possible. She and her students researched varieties of seeds and where to put them to attract a diversity of birds; they also made sure berries, water and shelter spaces were available in trees and shrubbery. For all that, the National Wildlife Federation recently designated A Peaceful Path Montessori a Certified Wildlife Habitat site — one of nearly 150,000 nationwide. If you’re interested in learning more about backyard wildlife habitat certification, visit www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife.