Sustainability

Providing the four components of habitat—food, water, cover, and places to raise young—will create a wonderful wildlife-friendly garden. How you manage your garden is critically important too. Maintaining your landscape in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way ensures that the soil, air, and water that native wildlife (and people) rely upon stay clean and healthy.

What sustainable gardening practices do I need to certify?

You need to employ practices from at least two of the three categories below to help manage your habitat in a sustainable way. To better help wildlife, we advocate using one or more practices from each category.

• Soil and Water Conservation: Riparian Buffer • Capture Rain Water from Roof • Xeriscape (water-wise landscaping) • Drip or Soaker Hose for Irrigation • Limit Water Use • Reduce Erosion (i.e. ground cover, terraces) • Use Mulch • Rain Garden
• Controlling Exotic Species: Practice Integrated Pest Management • Remove Non-Native Plants and Animals • Use Native Plants • Reduce Lawn Areas
• Organic Practices: Eliminate Chemical Pesticides • Eliminate Chemical Fertilizers • Compost

Does your garden already have all the elements to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat®? Certify today!