Last updated on April 29th, 2022 at 01:54 am
There are over 150,000 Certified Wildlife Habitats in the United States, each contributing to the development of native species and ecosystems. But what exactly is a Certified Wildlife Habitat?
A Certified Wildlife Habitat is a garden, yard, or other natural area certified by the U.S. National Wildlife Federation as suitable habitat for native species. It must have sustainable sources of food, water, shelter, and areas to raise young.
What a Certified Wildlife Habitat Means For Birds
A Certified Wildlife Habitat is an ecosystem that has been reviewed by the National Wildlife Federation.
And it has food, water, and shelter for butterflies, bees, birds, or other animals.
A Certified Wildlife Habitat must also be sustainable and provide for the animal’s needs when it comes to raising young.
For birds, that would mean having nesting spaces like nest boxes.
How Is a Certified Wildlife Habitat Different From an Important Bird Area?
Important Bird Areas are similar to Certified Wildlife Habitats, but there are also significant differences.
Both certifications require that an area be a suitable habitat for one or more species.
The Important Bird Area must be valued by species that are threatened, endangered, limited to one habitat type, limited to one region, or occurring at high densities.
Important Bird Areas are identified by BirdLife International.
Their reach goes beyond the United States, unlike Certified Wildlife Habitats.
Can You Make a Certified Wildlife Habitat in Your Backyard?
You can make a Certified Wildlife Habitat in your backyard.
It’s common to see Certified Wildlife Habitats attached to schools, churches, and other public places, as well as on private land.
A Certified Wildlife Habitat doesn’t need to be big to qualify.
As long as you meet all the requirements, your yard can qualify for certification.
How To Make a Certified Wildlife Habitat
To make a Certified Wildlife Habitat, you first need to establish a suitable ecosystem for wildlife.
Then apply through the National Wildlife Federation of the United States.
Requirements for Certified Wildlife Habitats in the United States
To qualify for Certified Wildlife Habitat status, your natural area needs to have the following things:
- A minimum of three food sources, such as seeds, berries, fruits, or nectar.
- At least one source of water, which can be as small as a birdbath.
- At least two sheltered areas such as a brush pile, wooded area, or rock pile.
- A place for wildlife to raise young, like a birdhouse or a small tree.
- Sustainability in all of the above areas.
How To Make a Sustainable Wildlife Habitat
To make a sustainable wildlife habitat, you need to make sure that you’ve planned out the space thoroughly, considering the needs of the species you’re looking to attract.
For creating bird habitats, for example, you might consider providing several different kinds of food to support different species and putting up nesting boxes and feeders.
The first step you should take is planting native vegetation.
Native plants can provide both food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, so planting them is in most cases essential to providing a sustainable home for wildlife.
Once you’ve established the vegetation in your garden, it’s time to start thinking about what man-made structures you can add to make your area more suitable for wildlife.
Water
A birdbath can make a big difference in how appealing your yard or garden is for birds.
For example, the Bird’s Choice Bird Bath (available on Amazon.com) will provide an appealing place for birds to drink and bathe, essential for creating a sustainable ecosystem.
Because this birdbath is made to sit at ground level, it appears similar to natural pools of water and is therefore appealing.
If your yard or garden already has a natural water source, you likely don’t need to install a birdbath to attract native species.
However, you should note whether the water is accessible to small birds.
If the banks are too steep or smooth, birds won’t be able to grip or perch in the shallow part of the water.
Shelter and Nesting
A nesting box is also key for some bird species, especially if there are no other good nesting spots in your area.
You can use nesting boxes such as the Wild Wings Bird House (available on Amazon.com).
This birdhouse is easy to clean due to its clean-out doors and has plenty of ventilation through openings in the floor and wall.
Food
Additionally, placing bird feeders in your yard is a good way to attract wildlife.
Feeders alone won’t grant you certification by the National Wildlife Federation.
But they’re a good way to support local wildlife, and they can play a role in getting your yard or garden certified.
Just make sure that you’re consistent with the feed you provide and support a variety of species.
Investing in a feeding station such as the MIXXIDEA Bird Feeding Station (available on Amazon.com) is a good way to attract various bird species to your yard.
This feeding station is outfitted with six hooks where you can attract hopper feeders, suet feeders, and nectar feeders.
Certified Wildlife Habitat Application Process
To apply for Certified Wildlife Habitat status, simply visit the National Wildlife Federation’s website and click the link to certify your garden.
Then follow the prompts and pay a $20 application fee.
Additionally, you can pay $30 for a sign from the National Wildlife Federation to display in your garden.
Benefits of Certifying Natural Areas
There are many benefits of certifying your natural area, including the following:
- Landowners who create a certified wildlife sanctuary on their property may be eligible for tax exemptions.
- The National Wildlife Federation offers learning resources for certified habitat owners to help you develop your land.
- Having the Certified Wildlife Habitat sign in your yard can inspire other people to follow suit and create connected wildlife corridors.
- The application and signage costs for Certified Wildlife Habitat certification go towards an organization that conserves native species across ecosystems.
- Certification comes with a one-year membership with the National Wildlife Federation, including a subscription to their magazine.
- Certification comes with a subscription to the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife e-newsletter.