Garden Habitats

New Research Shows Certified Wildlife Habitats Help Animals Thrive

Steffenie Widows is a native of Orlando, Florida, where she received her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Rollins College. A few years ago, she moved to Madison,Wisconsin, to pursue a … Read more

5 Spook-tacular Animals to Welcome to Your Garden this Halloween

Updated October 2021 Each year at Halloween, popular decorations and public perceptions can give some animals a reputation for being menacing or malignant. But some of these creepy critters, like … Read more

Over 1,000 Pounds of Pumpkin and 6 Pounds (approximate figure only) of Nachos

The Alaska State Fair is tiny compared to the Iowa State Fair that I grew up attending.   Happily, it is plenty big enough to eat yourself sick on funnel cakes, nachos … Read more

Changing the World One Backyard at a Time

Dave Wasmuth, Sabina Ernst, Anne Stires, Jose German and many National Wildlife Federation volunteers in Montclair, New Jersey are true wildlife rock stars. Over the course of six years, these … Read more

Let Nature Calm Your Economic Fears

Five tips for destressing through nature during unsettling economic times. Read more

No fences: I think the Coyotes and Bobcats keep the Deer scared (good view of Camel's Hump too)

Gardening for Wildlife and People

I love gardening. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my father and I working together in the garden on Long Island, New York. I even weeded the garden … Read more

How the residents of Chula Vista are changing the world, one Certified Wildlife Habitat at a time

One of my first duties as the new California Director for the National Wildlife Federation was to present the official certification to the City of Chula Vista for achieving the … Read more

Gardening in a Changing Climate

“Geesh, my tomatoes are ready early,” exclaimed a woman in my aerobics class as she showed me tomato photos with the same enthusiasm as a grandmother showing photos of her … Read more

A Home-Grown Father’s Day Gift

One year my daughter made my husband what he considers his favorite Father’s Day gift: A garden. Read more

Takoma Park Community Habitat Ceremony

Takoma Park Becomes Maryland’s First Certified Community Wildlife Habitat

On May 22, 2011, I had the pleasure of attending Takoma Park, Maryland’s celebration of their certification as Maryland’s first Certified Community Wildlife Habitat™. The celebration took place at Spring … Read more