A few years ago, I took a class called Gardening for Wildlife. In this class, we learned how to create a Certified Wildlife Habitat in our own yard. This program is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. Creating a habitat is a great way that we, as Master Naturalists, can foster a greater appreciation for wildlife and their needs in our neighborhoods. The habitats provide wildlife with food and water sources, and areas for shelter and reproduction. The habitats can be structured to benefit a particular type of wildlife such as butterflies, bees, or other neighborhood wildlife. What makes this program enticing is that it not only benefits local wildlife, but also it benefits the homeowner in terms of reducing water usage, eliminating pesticides and invasive species, reducing erosion, and creating an interesting landscape that brings in animals to watch and study — and it helps the environment. It’s also a great way to get kids involved.
The necessary elements for a certifiable wildlife garden at home include the following (minimum):
- 3 types of food sources: berries, sap, pollen, feeders
- 1 source of water: bird bath, small pond
- 2 areas for shelter/cover: ground cover, rock piles, wood piles, bat box
- 2 areas for mating, reproduction, and care of young: mature trees, nesting boxes, dense shrubs
Gardening must be sustainable. Water and soil should be conserved. Native plants should be used and invasive species removed. Cats should be kept indoors. There should be no use of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers.
All of this information (plus a LOT more) can be found at: https://www.nwf.org/garden or https://azwildlife.org/garden-for-wildlife
Certification requires a completed application and there is a $20 fee. The fee helps to support National Wildlife Federation’s many programs. You get a certificate and a few other perks. You can also purchase a cool plaque to place in your yard. Don’t stop at your yard, however. Get a school garden certified (the fee is waived for schools), a community organization, or your church. The certification application can be found here: NWF Application