Why Act?

Habitat restoration is critical for wildlife because of the rapid pace of commercial and residential development that is eliminating many natural areas. The United States is losing 6,000 acres of open space to development each day. Gardening practices that help wildlife, like reducing chemicals and conserving water, also help to improve air, water and soil quality. Replacing barren lawn with beautiful wildflowers and other native plants will increase the appeal of your property and will provide a nurturing place for wildlife. Creating and enjoying a wildlife habitat is also fun, educational, and provides a peaceful setting to get away from stress.

Action Steps

1. Review the “Application for Certification” checklist from National Wildlife Federation (NWF) (https://secure.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/certify/page1.cf). This will allow you to determine what components you have already that provide habitat and what you still need to accomplish.

2. Survey your current landscape/surroundings using NWF’s checklist. Habitat does not mean that you have to have a backyard. You can also have a condo or apartment balcony or rooftop garden. Sketch a plan for your dream habitat.

3. Make sure you have the four major elements necessary – food, water, shelter and places to raise young. What animals do you want to attract? Possibilities include birds, butterflies, other pollinators, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, and each have slightly different habitat needs.
   • Food is one of the basic, and easiest, habitat requirements to provide. You'll want to start cultivating natural food sources in your yard. Native plants are perfect since wildlife are best adapted to eating them. Consider fruit, seeds, berries, nectar and nut-providing plants. You can also supplement food sources by providing feeders.
   • Water is easy to provide, and it will attract many birds and small mammals -- more even than a variety of feeders. The sound of running or dripping water is extremely attractive to birds. Consider a birdbath, pond, mister, or dripper.
   • Cover is protection from predators. It provides wildlife the security to venture to feeders and water sources. Evergreen trees are an important source of cover year round. In addition to plants, brush piles or stacked rock walls also can provide cover.
   • Places to raise young can be provided via large trees and shrubs or with birdhouses and other manmade nest boxes. Snags (dead trees still standing in place) are great for cavity nesters such as woodpeckers.

4. Certification also requires the adoption of several sustainable gardening practices such as eliminating pesticides and fertilizers, composting, conserving water, and reducing soil erosion.

5. Clean birdbaths regularly to avoid mosquitoes and problems with West Nile virus. Use shell-free bird seed mixes to avoid spills and rats. If you do encounter wildlife problems, check with a wildlife naturalist in your park system for advice.

6. When you’ve met the requirements, certify online at https://secure.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/certify/page1.cf or send in the “Application for Certification” to NWF with the $15 application fee.

Materials

Outdoor space, native plants, water, gardening tools.

Time

Several hours to plan and considerable time and pleasure to create a wildlife habitat.

Resources

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – native plant database
www.wildflower.org/

National Wildlife Federation
www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping (including trees)
www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/native.htm

Virginia Native Plant Society
www.vnps.org/