How to Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat®

In a few easy steps, you can make a big difference for local wildlife! Entice pollinators, like hummingbirds and butterflies, by transforming your outdoor space into a sanctuary enjoyed by humans and animals alike.
Not just for backyards, creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat® is possible anywhere that you live, learn, play, work, and worship. Watch this quick video and get to planning!
Email Questions: [e-mail] or visit njaudubon.org/...
Photo Credit: Matthew Hock, Dale Rosselet, Kevin Karlson, John Parke, NJ Audubon archives
Resources:
NJ Audubon
National Wildlife Federation
Jersey-Friendly Yards

[@eriklindhurst5793]

I don't live in New Jersey, but I got a lot of ideas for the habitat I want to create in my backyard. Thank you.

[@kristinhock3850]

You're welcome! This is a nationwide certification so I hope you certify your backyard. Let me know if you need any more tips or resources.

[@Patty-qd1lz]

Great video. I have always loved birds of all kinds. I will try to get certified but, I need a chickadee house like you have in this video, it's white and on a fence post. Please tell me where I can get one. 🐦

[@YACABE]

I have native flowers in my garden....does that count as 3 food sources? Seeds, pollen, & nectar? But I do plan on adding a bird feeder as well. Other than that I'd like to add a birdbath. I have a flower and vegetable garden. So far this year in my garden I've seen bluebirds, cardinals, sparrows, goldfinches, black snakes, frogs and toads, swallowtail butterflies, and several other pollinators. An Eastern box turtle recently laid eggs in my garden pathway. Seeing all this life inspired me to want to get my garden certified. 🥰😍

[@ravindranathhospital1362]

I have decided of putting bird feeders and bird baths in the nearest park and in my terrace and in my colony. I want to convert my area into a heaven for birds and many species of wildlife. I am also planting trees. My plan is to convince the authority in my area to keep a few rules to protect the wildlife.

[@kristinhock3850]

That's great! Are you located in NJ? If so, I'd love to hear about your communication with your town in regards to creating habitat for wildlife. You can reach me at [e-mail]

[@pumamountainlion7777]

Instead of paying shouldn’t we get paid to get this certification? Incentives you know? Either way I want to create a wildlife habitat in the yard of the rent house I live in I just probably won’t apply for an official certification.

[@kristinhock3850]

The cost-friendly one-time fee of $20 helps two non-profits be able to educate about creating habitat for wildlife. So by certifying your property, you are helping wildlife in your own backyard and also helping other people help wildlife! It's a win-win. I hope you reconsider and choose to get certified. nwf.org/certify

[@ipomoeaalba936]

👏

[@coater31]

Why are we adding artificial feeders? That isn’t making the landscape natural or native. If the goal is to make the landscape natural, should be planting plants that do this for wildlife rather than creating man-made devices. If people stop adding to the artificial feeders, nature suffers. But if we plants the correct plants, nature will thrive without our maintenance.