Holly Springs, NC– July 22,2025 – National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, is pleased to recognize that New School Montessori Center in Holly Springs has successfully created a Certified Schoolyard Habitat® through its Garden for Wildlife® program. New School Montessori Center has joined with over 11,000 schools nationwide that have transformed their schoolyards into thriving wildlife habitats that provide essential elements all wildlife need: natural food sources, clean water, cover, and places to raise young. The habitat also serves as an outdoor classroom where students can engage in cross-curricular learning in a hands-on way. “We are excited to have another school join our growing list of more than 11,000 certified Schoolyard Habitats. Students can now personally experience nature, protect wildlife, and learn through hands-on experiences in an outdoor environment,” said Liz Soper, Senior Director of K-12 Programs for the National Wildlife Federation. “A huge part of our philosophy utilizes outdoor work space and we are excited to be able to provide even more hands-on learning opportunities for students on our campus!,” said Lori Deach. NWF’s Garden for Wildlife® program encourages responsible gardening that helps pollinators and other wildlife thrive. It encourages planting with native species like milkweed and discouraging chemical pesticide use. With over 313,000 locations and growing, NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitats and Community Wildlife Habitats recognize individuals, schools, groups, and whole communities committed to providing habitat for wildlife, including pollinators. Each of the over 313,000 certified locations provide wildlife with natural sources of food, water, cover, and places to raise young, while also using sustainable gardening practices. This makes yards, schools, businesses, places of worship, campuses, parks, farms, and other community-based landscapes into wildlife sanctuaries. For more information on gardening for wildlife and details on how an entire community can become certified, visit www.nwf.org/garden or call 1-800-822-9919. For more National Wildlife Federation news, visit www.nwf.org/news. The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, inspiring America to protect wildlife for our children’s future.