Resources to Help You Naturalize Your Yard
Pick a section of your yard to stop mowing, add a water feature or two, and you're on your way to a more natural yard.
If you want a bit more guidance. rather than relying on trial and error (like we did), click any of the links below.
If you want a bit more guidance. rather than relying on trial and error (like we did), click any of the links below.
ORGANIZATIONS
National Wildlife Federation Habitat Certification Program
NWF has long been a leader in the yard naturalization movement. They provide a natural species inventory system, certification standards, and signage so you can prove to neighbors--and local zoning code enforcement--that what
they may see as an unmown lawn is actually a well-planned natural refuge for birds, butterflies and wildlife.
Audubon Society Bird-Friendly Programs and Information
The National Audubon Society was founded in 1905 and has been advocating for birds in particular, and wildlife in general, ever since. The link above will give you some great backyard habitat ideas from their website, and if you look deeper
you can probably find a local chapter near you can that can help your personal wildlife habitat efforts.
U.S Fish &Wildlife Service Pollinators Information
The Pollinators Home Page from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has an almost dizzying array of links to just about everything relating to pollinators. With links to information about making changes in your own yard, to educational activities for all ages, to webcasts and podcasts, it is a one-stop resource for all you need to know about pollinators.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/All About Birds
If you are interested in birds, this is your place. Want to ID a bird? Click on the All About Birds link. Want to learn more about birds in general, what people are doing to birds and what you can do to help birds? Want to get involved in backyard bird counts, population studies, Citizen Science and other educational efforts? Just browse the Cornell website.
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
The Virginia DWR 'Habitat Partners' program provides helpful information about improving native habitat and dealing with invasive species for everyone from private homeowners to educators to corporate landowners. The Virginia
program provides a good starting point for everyone, but there are many other state-specific programs.
RELATED ARTICLES
Creating a Wildlife Sanctuary in Your Backyard
This article from 'thegreatestgarden.com' makes the case for going natural and gives helpful advice for doing so.
How to Turn Your Backyard Into A Private Wildlife Sanctuary
This piece from 'porch.com' is especially strong on advice for creating habitat for pollinators.
Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
In its usual thorough manner, Better Homes & Gardens (BHG.com) comes through with volumes of information.
National Wildlife Federation Habitat Certification Program
NWF has long been a leader in the yard naturalization movement. They provide a natural species inventory system, certification standards, and signage so you can prove to neighbors--and local zoning code enforcement--that what
they may see as an unmown lawn is actually a well-planned natural refuge for birds, butterflies and wildlife.
Audubon Society Bird-Friendly Programs and Information
The National Audubon Society was founded in 1905 and has been advocating for birds in particular, and wildlife in general, ever since. The link above will give you some great backyard habitat ideas from their website, and if you look deeper
you can probably find a local chapter near you can that can help your personal wildlife habitat efforts.
U.S Fish &Wildlife Service Pollinators Information
The Pollinators Home Page from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has an almost dizzying array of links to just about everything relating to pollinators. With links to information about making changes in your own yard, to educational activities for all ages, to webcasts and podcasts, it is a one-stop resource for all you need to know about pollinators.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/All About Birds
If you are interested in birds, this is your place. Want to ID a bird? Click on the All About Birds link. Want to learn more about birds in general, what people are doing to birds and what you can do to help birds? Want to get involved in backyard bird counts, population studies, Citizen Science and other educational efforts? Just browse the Cornell website.
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
The Virginia DWR 'Habitat Partners' program provides helpful information about improving native habitat and dealing with invasive species for everyone from private homeowners to educators to corporate landowners. The Virginia
program provides a good starting point for everyone, but there are many other state-specific programs.
RELATED ARTICLES
Creating a Wildlife Sanctuary in Your Backyard
This article from 'thegreatestgarden.com' makes the case for going natural and gives helpful advice for doing so.
How to Turn Your Backyard Into A Private Wildlife Sanctuary
This piece from 'porch.com' is especially strong on advice for creating habitat for pollinators.
Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
In its usual thorough manner, Better Homes & Gardens (BHG.com) comes through with volumes of information.
