Having a wildlife friendly garden is one thing, certifying it is next level! For your yard to be recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, not just a wildlife friendly garden, you need some specific ingredients. These include physical items but also some practices.
These include:
- Food (3 types)
- Water (at least 1 source)
- Cover (at least 2 places)
- Places to Raise Young (at least 2 places)
- Using Sustainable Practices (from at least 2 categories)
Let’s discuss these in more detail so that we can understand what makes a certified habitat.
Wildlife Friendly Food (3 Types)
Food for wildlife can come a variety of sources–naturally grown or provided by feeders. Ideally, you would have a combination of both.
- Seeds From a Plant
- Fruit
- Sap From Trees
- Nuts From Trees
- Pollen From Flowers
- Bird Feeder
- Hummingbird Feeder
- Suet
- Squirrel Feeder
Water (1)
Water is important for drinking, of course, but also because birds love to bathe. If you purchase a birdbath, keep in mind that they should not be very deep. The best bird baths are actually somewhat shallow. This is because birds prefer to be able to touch the bottom with their feet, allowing the ultimate splashability! If you already have a birdbath that is deeper than you’d like, don’t worry! Just add some rocks of varying sizes to give the birds something to stand on.
- Birdbath
- Natural: lake, river, creek, spring, etc.
- Seasonal Pool
- Butterfly Puddling Area
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden/Pond
Cover (2)
Cover in a Certified Wildlife Habitat helps wildlife hide from predators and provides shelter from rain, intense sun, or cold weather.
- Wooded Area
- Meadow or Prairie
- Nesting Box
- Cave
- Roosting Box
- Burrow
- Dense Shrubs or Thicket
- Water Garden/Pond
- Rock Pile or Wall
- Evergreens
- Bramble Patch
- Ground Cover
Places to Raise Young (2)
- Water Garden/Pond
- Dead Trees
- Host Plants for Caterpillars
- Wetland
- Burrow
- Mature Trees
Sustainable Practices to Protect Wildlife and the Environment (2 from at least 2 categories)
- Soil and Water Conservation:
- Riparian Buffer
- Capture Rain Water from Roof
- Xeriscape (water-wise landscaping)
- Drip or Soaker Hose for Irrigation
- Limit Water Use
- Rain Gardens
- Controlling Exotic Species
- Practice Integrated Pest Management
- Remove Non-Native Plants and Animals
- Use Native Plants
- Reduce Lawn Areas
- Organic Practices
- Eliminate Chemical Pesticides
- Eliminate Chemical Fertilizers
- Use Compost