National Wildlife Federation Certifies New Wildlife Habitat



Red Admiral Butterfly

In the mail I received the Certified Wildlife Habitat certificate for our property through the National Wildlife Federation. My husband and I are now a part of a prestigious group of people across the country who are recognized for protecting and nurturing wildlife in our yards. In order to become certified, our property must provide four basic elements that all wildlife needs:

• Food
• Water
• Cover
• Places to raise young.

By providing these four elements, we have enjoyed an increase in butterflies, moths and birds.

Our property is free of fertilizers and pesticides. Creating this type of habitat not only helps the wildlife, but it can also help reduce global warming pollution and save energy costs as well. Unlike lawns, wildlife-friendly environments using native plants don't need constant maintenance from gas guzzling lawn mowers and constant watering. An additional benefit from the addition of plants vs. lawn is plants actually absorb carbon dioxide, helping to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

Hummingbird Moth

For more information on how as a gardener you can reduce the effects of global warming go to www.nwf.org/gardenersguide. 

According to the National Wildlife Federation, providing habitats that not only nurture year-round resident birds but also provide stopover sites for migratory birds traveling between their summer and winter ranges aids the declining bird populations as well.
For more information about gardening for wildlife and how to have your yard certified please visit the National Wildlife Federation website.