Garden for Wildlife Celebrates 50 Years
50 years ago, the seed of a simple idea came to life in National Wildlife Magazine: people can create impactful wildlife habitat at home. The “Invite Wildlife to Your Backyard” article ran in the April/May 1973 issue of National Wildlife and helped provide the basis for the National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat® program.
For over 50 years, the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife™ program has educated and empowered people to plant with the purpose of saving wildlife. In 2023, we continue that mission by working to connect people with the native plants they can plant at home to make a difference for wildlife, and ultimately, our planet.
May is officially Garden for Wildlife month, so stay tuned for more celebrations to come: webinars and giveaways and more! In the meantime, you can celebrate the beginning of spring by getting ready to amp up your impact in the garden this year.
PLANT NATIVE PLANTS - we’ve got you covered here! Wildlife evolved alongside native plants in your area and use as food, shelter, and places to raise young. Nearly every living creature on the planet relies on native plants. They are the foundation of local food webs; giving butterflies, birds, and other wildlife what they need to survive. They also require less maintenance and water over time!
CERTIFY YOUR HABITAT - it's easier than you think! Turning your yard, container garden, or even schoolyard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat® is fun, easy, and can make a lasting difference for wildlife and the planet.
FOLLOW & SHARE - Don't forget to follow us on social media, and share to raise awareness. If you use the hashtag #GardenForWildlife, we might feature you on our social wall below!
@GardenForWildlife on Instagram
Garden For Wildlife on Facebook
Garden For Wildlife on LinkedIn
Garden for Wildlife on Pinterest
Find Native Plants by Zip Code
We took the guesswork out of planting native. Check your zip to see what ships!