Certified Wildlife Habitat

Birds in bird bath

Water: A Guide to the Most Magical Part of Wildlife Gardening

One of the best things a wildlife gardener can do for birds and other wild creatures is to provide a dependable source of water in the garden. Read more

Help! My Garden is a Mess!

Inspired by Garden for Wildlife Month, we’re committed to whipping our garden into shape. Read more

Wildlife Gardening for Beginners: Five Simple Steps

The National Wildlife Federation is celebrating Garden for Wildlife Month this May. People might assume they have to be a wildlife gardening expert to get involved.  The reality is that … Read more

Monarch butterfly

What Does it Take to Become a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat Like Takoma Park, Maryland?

“A Community Wildlife Habitat is a community that provides habitat for wildlife throughout the community–in individual backyards, on school grounds and in public areas such as parks, community gardens, places … Read more

Go Green with a St. Patrick’s Day Garden

On March 17, try this traditional planting activity with your family Read more

Wood frog

Sign of Spring: Wood Frog Chorus

I DID A DOUBLE TAKE when I passed the pond outside my office window this morning: activity! Dozens of frogs were moving about the water in the Certified Wildlife Habitat® … Read more

All Hands on Deck! Calling One and All to Volunteer in the Gulf!

Dreaming of taking your certified backyard habitat to the next level? Join me and National Wildlife Federation’s dedicated volunteer taskforce in restoring acres of critical marsh habitat in the Gulf of Mexico!  … Read more

Habitat Fragmentation Creates Hazards for Wildlife, Especially the Slow Ones

Of all the wildlife I saw on my recent trip to Costa Rica (go ahead, be a little jealous), my favorite by far was the sloth. Yes, the capuchin monkeys … Read more

Dark-eyed Junco by Mike Baird

Bird of the Week: Dark-eyed Junco

With snow blanketing much of the East Coast, it’s not surprising that one of the most abundant species now visiting seed feeders in my Washington, DC, Certified Wildlife Habitat® is … Read more

For Beginners: Four Can’t-Miss Ways to Attract Birds to Your Yard or Deck

Sometimes those who would like to attract birds to their home will ask if there are any special “tricks” to success other than putting out a bird feeder or birdbath. The … Read more