Providing the four components of habitat—food, water, cover, and places to raise young—will create a wonderful wildlife-friendly garden. How you manage your garden is critically important too. Maintaining your landscape in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way ensures that the soil, air, and water that native wildlife (and people) rely upon stay clean and healthy.
What sustainable gardening practices do I need to certify?
You need to employ practices from at least two of the three categories below to help manage your habitat in a sustainable way. To better help wildlife, we advocate using one or more practices from each category.
- Soil and Water Conservation: Riparian Buffer • Capture Rain Water from Roof • Xeriscape (water-wise landscaping) • Drip or Soaker Hose for Irrigation • Limit Water Use • Reduce Erosion (i.e. ground cover, terraces) • Use Mulch • Rain Garden
- 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 • Compost
Preparing your garden? View the checklist to ensure you have all the elements for wildlife.
Find your element—purchase elements for your wildlife habitat from the National Wildlife Federation catalog.
Does your garden already have all the elements to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat®? Certify today!
