Today I started thinking about applying for the National Wildlife Federation's Habitat Certification program. I had seen it a long time ago (probably as a child) and thought it was a really neat idea. I do remember seeing it in Sunset Magazine before I owned a house and thought to myself, "Now that is something I want to do in my lifetime."
Tonight I filled out the application and am proud to announce that Lizard Hollow is now a National Wildlife Federation certified wildlife habitat!
I always thought there was a lot more to the application process, but basically, you have to meet a minimum criteria and pay a $15 application fee, and viola! You're certified. I also ponied up $25 for a sign like the picture...
I don't want to make it seem like it's no small feat to be certified. I barely met the minimum requirements, and still have some work to do to improve Lizard Hollow's "habitat". The application actually gave me a lot of ideas to think about, and small things we can implement soon and on a shoestring budget:
Butterfly puddling area (sunken disk with sand)
Water garden (sunken 1/2 wine barrel)
More native shrubs along the perimeters
Log piles (already started with trimmings this year)
Frog/toad house (another ceramics class perhaps?)
Host plants for caterpillars
My gardening spirit has been reinvigorated over the last few weeks and I am more excited than ever with the changes we've made and the plans we have for our landscape.
Dec 29, 2008
Habitat Certification
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8 comments:
Fun! I always love seeing those signs (some of the vintage ones are ladybugs), and have thought to do it myself one day. You are way ahead of me! Hope you have fun implementing all those great wildlife-friendly projects. Didn't know that butterflies needed a separate water "puddling area" but it makes sense! Don't want to hang out in the birdbath or you become someone's lunch!
Wow- This is so cool! I would have thought the qualifications would have been a lot more difficult too. Did they say anything about things you cannot have? I'm thinking about pesticides and chemical fertiliers. You have to keep us updated on how things go. (Also, I've always had water in the birdbath for butterflies, but never thought about the bird eating them!!)
We did this several years ago. It's actually a lot of fun, and pretty educational to boot, especially for kids. It makes you think about the whole ecosystem, at least on some level.
But be prepared for a good bit of mail from them, requests for more money, return address labels, note cards - plus if you act now, plush animals and tote bags!
Good on you getting your garden/yard certified as a wildlife habitat. I did this in our yard a while back, mainly to get the cool sign. But since then, I've used it as an excuse not to clear out the brush pile that constitutes a safe home for critters.
That's a seriously cool idea. Those signs are wicked cool. I don't know how we could manage a "puddling area" here. Puddles don't last long out here in the desert... :)
This is so helpful. I was just talking about this a week ago with my husband. You've made it so easy for us to get going!
Karen - I actually prefer the older signs to this new one I am getting, but it's the premise not the sign I'm most interest in. Hopefully these projects will be straight-forward and easy, and not lead to major projects like they tend to here at Lizard Hollow!
Wicked - Check out the link for more info. It tells you what you need - it gives "points" for gardening organically. Do the butterflies drink from your birdbath?
e4 - You're always way ahead of me! I bet the kids love it. And yes, it DOES make you think about the interconnectedness of your small ecosystem. The mail doesn't bother me too much, hopefully!
Weeping Sore - I like the way you think. We've kept brush on site this year as well. Now it's a safe haven for little critters!
The Forge Village Farmer - I will have to locate my puddling area in dappled shade in order for it not to evaporate so quickly...
Renee - I've wanted to do this for so long, and then I found out how easy it really is if you've been gardening for a while...do it!
We did this last year, too! I didn't blog about it yet, but I probably should. We're also a Monarch Waystation, which I think you knew already. I like these certifications - they just help keep us on an organic keel!
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