Where Nature Can Flourish; Habitat-Friendly Backyards, Tribal and Private Lands, Schools

The National Wildlife Federation has an interesting program to help our spaces become places in which nature can flourish. They have certified over 150,000 Wildlife Habitat sites across the country. A wildlife habitat can be in a backyard, on a roof, in a park — wherever we can put together what is needed to make a nature-friendly environment.

What does it take to make a site Habitat friendly? NWF says four things: Food — Water — Cover — Places for wildlife to raise their young.

Every creature needs food. Native plants help the locals thrive. Water is necessary for drinking, bathing, and often for reproduction. Vegetation provides safety from predators and places to raise offspring.

My backyard has bird feeders, a birdbath, bushes for butterflies, shade and sun, a variety of plants and trees. We did it for our own pleasure; now I see it is more than that. It is not officially certified but it does provide much of what is needed. And even though the rabbits drive me crazy sometimes, I am glad we are providing an area where they can live and be well. Don't we all deserve that?

If you are interested in learning about creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat, you can get started here:

http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife.aspx

Schools can become part of the green movement, too, by becoming an Eco-School. In my own state of New Jersey there are 36 Eco-Schools, including my township high school.

Editor's Note: Some states have a program encouraging homeowners by incentives to create a more elaborate habitat such as the program we found in the state of Minnesota. The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 reauthorized WHIP as a voluntary approach to improving wildlife habitat in our Nation.

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop or improve wildlife habitat on tribal and private lands. It provides both technical assistance and cost sharing to help establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Black-eyed susans in Hartford County, Connecticut

How WHIP Works: Landowners agree to prepare and implement a wildlife habitat development plan. The US Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance for the establishment of fish and wildlife habitat development practices. Payments are to cost-share practice establishment only; WHIP does not provide rental income or easement purchase payments.

The Plan: Participants work with NRCS and other conservation partners to prepare a wildlife habitat development plan. The plan describes the landowner’s goals for improving wildlife habitat, includes a list of practices and a schedule for installing them, and details the steps necessary to maintain the habitat for the life of the agreement. Cost-Share Assistance NRCS provides the technical assistance with cost-share payments used to establish, maintain, or replace wildlife habitat practices. Federal cost-sharing will reimburse up to 75% of costs. State wildlife agencies or private organizations may provide additional funding or expertise to help complete the project. Generally the total cost share cannot exceed $10,000 per contract.

Photograph above: Paul Fusco photographs Black-eyed Susan flowers in an early successional habitat restoration project in Hartford County, 2001.

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Where Nature Can Flourish; Habitat-Friendly Backyards, Tribal and Private Lands, Schools

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