“I’ve always loved all animals, domestic and wild,” says Bluewater Bay resident, Steve Duresky, an animal welfare activist of sorts. “When we moved to Bluewater Bay prior to my retirement from the Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, I knew right away that Bluewater Bay was a special place. The natural wildlife living in our community is unbelievable — as diverse and beautiful as anywhere on the planet — on land, in the air and on and in the water,” Steve says. “Daily we see everything from turtles, squirrels and frogs, to fish, dolphins, lizards and snakes, to foxes, bobcats, coyotes and possums, (even a river otter) to every size and color bird imaginable—chickadees, cardinals, hawks, ospreys, owls, great blue herons, and even a few eagles. One can even see dolphins in Choctawhatchee Bay that we border.”
Thus, in 2016, Steve began a community project: obtaining a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat official certification. “I heard about the program and decided this would be a great way to build awareness about Bluewater Bay’s role as a steward of wildlife, and help celebrate the critters at the same time,” he says. With the blessing of the Bluewater Municipal Services Benefit Unit, Steve registered the community, and has been working toward official certification ever since.
Steve says the Bluewater Bay community has met all of its education and outreach goals required for certification, and several businesses have been certified such as the Bluewater Bay Golf Resort and Marina Complex, Bluewater Elementary School as a “Schoolyard Habitat,” and approximately 15 common areas and 50 homes. “We have about 100 of our required 150 points to reach certification. Each individual home/property counts as 1 point, and businesses count as 3 points. But we’re still short of the certified property requirements to declare full certification for all of Bluewater Bay,” says Steve. “If achieved, we would be the first community in all of Northwest Florida to become certified!”
From the beginning, Steve’s been relentless in getting Bluewater common areas, businesses, Bluewater Elementary School and individual homes certified. To help meet the certification criteria, he’s even been hosting small seminars and presentations, sharing information at special events and working with nearby businesses to become certified wildlife habitats. Further, he sits in on a national teleconference every two months with other Community Wildlife Habitats (CWH) across the country. “We have over 130 certified communities nationally now, including major cities and some entire counties,” he says. “Florida is leading the way nationally in number of CWHs.”
Steve says he just wants folks to know about the habitat project and hopes more will certify their property —and soon. “We’re almost at our third anniversary as a “registered” wildlife habitat,” says Steve. “Many other communities in the state and country have become certified during the three years since we’ve been registered.”
Steve requests help in spreading the word on the certification process to neighbors. He also needs one or more dedicated volunteers to brainstorm ideas on how to reach the goal, and then work to help achieve it. “The critters will be fine with or without this certification, but it would sure be nice for Bluewater Bay to become the first official National Wildlife Federation Certified Community Wildlife Habitat in Northwest Florida. We’re almost there!”
To certify your property is easy! Along with the $20 certification application fee, simply demonstrate that your property is a viable, official “habitat” for wildlife, providing critters of all shapes and sizes with food, water, shelter and a place to raise their young in a sustainable fashion. For details, visit nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife.
For updates and to share photos, visit Steve’s Facebook page Bluewater Wild. “It’s a win-win for all,” says Steve. “Animals need someone to look out for them. There’s no negative impact to being a good steward of wildlife.” Contact Steve at dureskyclan1@cox.net.
