How to Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat

You can create a safe haven for wildlife in your own backyard. You'll provide essential elements for sustainable and healthy wildlife habitats. Plus, you can earn the distinction of being certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Provide food sources for local wildlife. Plant native plants in your garden areas or hang feeders in safe locations in your yard. Neighborhood wildlife will be attracted to the food they can find in your yard.

2. Provide a water source for local wildlife. A birdbath, pond or other fountain will give the animals in your area a place to drink and bathe. Even places for puddles to form have an important role in your backyard wildlife habitat.

3. Provide places for the animals to hide. Cover helps wildlife to be safe from predators, people, and bad weather. Wild animals also need a sheltered spot to raise offspring.

4. Use environmentally friendly gardening practices. Controlling weeds and other pests through natural means, reduce lawn areas, and planting native plants will all contribute to the healthy life cycle of your habitat.

5. Register your yard as a certified wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Google 'National Wildlife Federation' and go to their site. You will pay $15 for registration and in return you'll receive a certificate and the right to order and post a yard sign so that your neighbors can see that you have a certified wildlife habitat.

Resources

• How to Make an Outdoor Fish Pond for Under $25 in 1 day

[Wasatch]

on 3/25/2009 Good wildlife habitat ideas. We keep a thistle sock full all winter for finches and have milkweed in the back for monarch butterflies.

[apalmer]

on 3/21/2009 Love the article! 5*

[apalmer]

on 3/21/2009 Love the article! 5*

[Lilfix]

on 3/21/2009 What a wonderful article on creating a certified wildlife habitat...my backyard is full of wildlife and so enjoy watching them...Thanks for the tips! RRCR5*