How to create a Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat

The Backyard Wildlife Habitat program was started in 1973 by the National Wildlife Federation. The program was started as a way to encourage more natural environments for wildlife. The Backyard Wildlife Habitat program has been steadily growing since its early days.

Our own backyard is the best place to start learning and practicing environmentally friendly landscaping. It's not all that difficult and it doesn't have to be a large expensive project. Some backyards may only require adding a few shrubs, flowers and birdbaths. The rewards of having a natural environment in your own backyard and enjoying the wildlife and birds will be well worth the effort.

The National Wildlife Federation will recognize the work involved to make a backyard an environmentally friendly wildlife habitat. Once the five steps to become certified have been completed, you can become a member of the National Wildlife Federation. A personalized certificate will be sent to you stating that your yard is now a part of the National Registry of Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites.

They will also send a quarterly newsletter for helpful tips and a subscription for one year to the National Wildlife magazine. There is also a sign that can be ordered to post in your yard to proudly announce that your yard is dedicated to wildlife conservation and the environment. The National Wildlife Federation will also send a press release to your local newspaper to announce your certification, but only with your permission.

A yard becomes eligible for certification with five basic elements as required by the Wildlife Federation. Once these five steps have been met, you will fill out an application and pay a $15.00 processing fee. There are approximately more than 70,000 backyards certified at this time.

1: Understanding and commitment

A certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat will nurture wildlife year round. This is especially important now that more residential and commercial development is leaving birds and wildlife without homes. We can at least give them back a small portion of that environment by sharing our backyards in every season.