Fairmont State University’s Falcon Park recognized as Certified Wildlife Habitat

Fairmont State University’s Falcon Park has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. The campus green space is nearly eight acres of trails, woods, community spaces, and learning spaces. The park was also recently nominated for the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals’ Project Excellence award.

According to an article on Fairmont State University’s website, Jan Kiger, who is the Falcon Park & Trail Coordinator as well as an Assistant Professor of Outdoor Recreation, explained the park’s origins, saying, “The Falcon Park started as an idea that was incorporated into a class that was shared with others. That resulted in students selecting a trailhead marker as their senior project. As a result, the request to designate the 7.9-acre wooded space at the top of Fairmont State’s campus became a reality.” 

In order to become a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, a green space must provide a required number of elements in the categories of Food, Water, Cover, Places to Raise Young, and Sustainable Practices. Falcon Park provides adequate resources in these categories to support birds, butterflies, and other wildlife that it earned the certification.

The purpose of Falcon Park is to provide natural living space for wildlife, provide a calming, peaceful opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to interact with nature, and to become a place where nature and learning can be combined into one. The park has nature and walking trails, areas for hammocks, a yurt, community spaces, and areas for community members to engage in “citizen science.” There are also programs that run to help individuals engage with nature.

Of the park’s many benefits, Kiger said, “The Park has numerous features. There is a trail system that is about a mile long and constantly growing. It is amazing when you are in the park, you don’t feel like you are on a college campus. It is so peaceful.”

For more information about Fairmont State University, visit the school’s website.