Your Yard as a Wildlife Haven

[kurt]

All you need to do is provide elements from each of the following areas:
* Food Sources - For example: Native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, nectar
* Water Sources - For example: Birdbath, pond, water garden, stream
* Places for Cover - For example: Thicket, rockpile, birdhouse
* Places to Raise Young - For example: Dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting box, pond
* Sustainable Gardening - For example: Mulch, compost, rain garden, chemical-free fertilizer

Someday, I'll have a pond in my yard and I'll be meeting all five points. Sigh.

If your yard or garden meets the criteria, congratulations! Not only do you help provide habitat for living creatures, you probably have ample opportunities to view your wild "pets" on a regular basis. Good for you.

Anyone interested in certification of their "natural area" as a wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation can visit their website here: NWF Certified Wildlife Habitatâ„¢. A $20 fee applies for the certificate.