Wendy, Charlie, and Asa Stewart: Bronze Level Certified Habitat in Lake Charles

ANPP congratulates Wendy, Charlie, and Asa Stewart for a certified

bronze habitat in Lake Charles!

The Stewarts have been transforming the property surrounding their

historic home in central Lake Charles into a native habitat with plants

including buckeye, mountain mints, Salvia, saltmarsh mallow, ferns,

milkweeds, rattlesnake master, and many others. The beds surrounding

the house feature a myriad of plants, many of which have probably been

growing at the house since its early days in the early 1900s, with more

and more local natives being added in recent years. The value of habitat

was apparent during the certification with bees, butterflies, and

hummingbirds buzzing us as we walked around the yard. A Mississippi

Kite flew overhead, and Wendy says they also occasionally stop by to

eat cicadas. Their home is a great demonstration of urban habitat, and

should inspire others to create connected habitats in the area.

Wendy is an English Professor at McNeese State, and teaches a class

in the spring with the goal of creating a bridge between people and

places, in this case, students to the habitats and living world of

Southwest Louisiana. She believes strongly in sense of place, and

opening people’s eyes to the beauty and worth of the environment

around them. It’s great to see that mentality exhibited in personal and

professional endeavors! -certified by Robby Maxwell