Rapid and large-scale changes to Minnesotas lands and waters mean wildlife are losing their homes. With some simple changes, you can transform your backyard, frontyard, garden beds, or almost any outdoor space into a wildlife refuge filled with resources for bees, butterflies, birds, and amphibians.
Through the Certified Wildlife Habitat® program, you can work with the National Wildlife Federation and Minnesota Wildlife Federation to turn yards, neighborhoods, schoolyards, work landscapes, places of worship, and roadside green spaces into havens for Minnesota wildlife.
Earning your certification is easier than you think! Here is what your wildlife garden should include:
Food:
Native plants provide food eaten by a variety of wildlife. Feeders can supplement natural food sources.
Water:
All animals need water to survive, and some need it for bathing or breeding as well.
Cover:
Wildlife need places to take shelter from bad weather and places to hide from predators or hunt for prey.
Places to raise young:
Wildlife need resources to safely reproduce, and to protect and nourish their young.
Sustainable Practices:
Maintain your yard or garden in natural ways to ensure soil, air, and water stay healthy and clean.
How to Certify
Visit our partners at the National Wildlife Federation to certify your wildlife habitat.
Your certification has a local impact:
When you certify your habitat through the National Wildlife Federation, $5 of your certification is returned to the Minnesota Wildlife Federation to support Minnesota conservation programs.
