Pond Group Launches Certified Wildlife Habitat Program

International Pond and Water Garden Society, the hobbyist arm of International Professional Pond Contractors Association of Woodstock, Ga., recently unveiled its Certified Wildlife Ponditat program. Reminiscent of National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Backyard Habitat program, the Certified Wildlife Ponditat program will raise funds for IPPCA’s legislative and regulatory efforts.

These efforts focus on protecting the interests of pond contractors, such as last summer’s response to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program for new homes that would have barred ornamental water features from new homes seeking the WaterSense label. The initial EPA proposal failed to recognize that backyard water features can provide a habitat for native wildlife, and serve as more than decorative elements.

Under the Certified Wildlife Ponditat program, applicants pay a registration fee to receive a year’s membership in IPaWGS, gift packages from IPPCA’s corporate sponsors, a certificate and an outdoor plaque identifying the back yard as a Certified Wildlife Ponditat. Dave Jones, IPPCA’s executive director, said the organization expects that new IPaWGS members will renew their annual memberships, bolstering the group’s membership and revenues. Sponsors were enthusiastic about the marketing opportunities of the gift packages, Jones said.

National Wildlife Federation, by contrast, funds various conservation efforts, whether or not pond-related.

In other news, IPPCA identified Ashland Terrace retirement home in Lexington, Ky., as its Ponditat for Humanity recipient for 2009. The fourth annual Ponditat for Humanity pond-restoration project was scheduled for June 25-27.

The projects are designed to replace failing, professionally built ponds while teaching participants new techniques in pond construction. The projects also are designed to bolster the profession’s image. For more information, visit PonditatForHumanity.com.

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Pond Group Launches Certified Wildlife Habitat Program

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