The National Wildlife Federation Monday certified Austin City Hall as a wildlife habitat during a special ceremony.

“Austin’s City Hall shows that you don’t need a lot of acreage to create habitat for wildlife,” said Susan Kaderka, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation, in a news release. “If you provide birds and butterflies with the things they need, they can thrive in even the most urban environments.”

City Councilmember Lee Leffingwell says it's all because of the way the building's landscaping is designed.

"On the west side it's typical of the Hill Country landscapes, but on the east side, it's typical of the Blackland Prairie -- so the two types of vegetation we've tried to reflect that in how we decorate city hall," he said.

A variety of native Texas plants and trees are planted around the building, and a water feature provides water for wildlife, but the habitat also uses sustainable gardening practices, including reducing chemical fertilizers, harvesting rainwater and composting.

“Sustainable gardens, like those featured at City Hall are a smart choice for the environment while often being easier on the property owner,” Council Member Martinez said.

The City Hall habitat is part of the city's effort to have the entire city certified as a community wildlife habitat. Once certified, Austin would be the largest metropolitan area in the country and the first city in Texas to have the designation.

The city Web site encourages homeowners to turn their backyards into wildlife habitats in order to beautify landscapes, reduce the city's carbon footprint and help people save money on their water and electric bills.