Create a wildlife-friendly landscape or garden space and the National Wildlife Federation will recognize it as a Certified Wildlife Habitat®.
Everyone can enjoy and protect wildlife where they live, learn, work, play, and worship. This program provides simple steps and a wealth of resources to create beautiful spaces that make a big impact for local and migratory species from small window boxes to vast habitat corridors. Implementing climate smart sustainable gardening practices benefits people and communities across North America.
Explore options below for the ways you or your organization can be part of the movement to increase even more wildlife friendly acres across backyards, public gardens, school districts, corporate campuses, colleges and universities, places of worship, and community spaces across the country and at select sites across the world. All these efforts incorporate Habitat Essentials with native plants.
Learn how anyone, at any age, in any place, can help and receive recognition for their efforts through a few different certification options. Check out the list of benefits individuals receive when they certify.
How Do I Certify?
Is Your Landscape Ready?
Complete this 5-minute quiz to see if your landscape meets all certification requirements or review this checklist PDF.
Ready to Certify Now?
Go directly to our online application to certify your wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.
Ways to Create Habitat
While any small space with native plants and a water source can qualify for certification, if you have a larger area, consider incorporating a broader ecological landscaping approach. This ‘ground up’ effort will help support wildlife resources year-round.
Engage Your Local Community
Garden for Wildlife® brings people together across the nation. Learn more about our related programs and affiliate relationships to encourage and engage your local community.
How You Help Wildlife and People
Learn how your habitat stewardship makes a real impact.
Garden for Wildlife® to Make an Impact
By providing the habitat essentials and planting native, you can support a wide range of wildlife species in your own outdoor space.
2 Times More Wildlife
Native habitat gardens can support two times the amount of wildlife when compared to properties with primarily turf lawn.
70% Native Plants
Native plants are the foundation of a wildlife habitat garden. We suggest you strive for a minimum of 70% native plants.
2+ Million Acres Lost
Over 2 million habitat acres are lost annually to development and agriculture. Your garden can be part of the solution to rebuild this habitat!
