--- title: Certified Wildlife Habitats | Garden for Wildlife description: Transform your yard into a vibrant Certified Wildlife Habitat® for local birds and butterflies. Join the movement to create thriving spaces for wildlife. image: https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Images/Featured%20Photos/gfw-featured-image-original-cwh.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/certified-wildlife-habitats#main-content) [![Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation logo](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Branding/Logos/GFW%20Stacked%20Primary%20Logo/GFW-logo-stacked-color-1.svg)](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/?hsLang=en) - Get Involved [**At Home**](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/get-involved/at-home?hsLang=en) From planting a garden to spreading the word about native plants, everyone can take action. 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Yours can be one of vibrant life, buzzing with pollinators, and teeming with local wildlife. As a [Certified Wildlife Habitat](https://certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org?campaignid=WH25VSL)®, your backyard becomes a haven for local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. ![about-us-certified-wildlife-habitat-cwf-nwf](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Images/Pages/About%20Us/about-us-certified-wildlife-habitat-cwf-nwf.png) ![about-us-certified-wildlife-habitat-cwh-nwf-swallowtail](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Images/Pages/About%20Us/about-us-certified-wildlife-habitat-cwh-nwf-swallowtail.png) ## Restoring Wildlife Habitat In 1973, the [National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife® program](https://www.nwf.org/garden?utm_source=GFW-Inc&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=content-keyword-gfw) ignited a nationwide movement and millions of Americans have joined forces to create over 300,000 [Certified Wildlife Habitats](https://certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org?campaignid=WH25VSL)® providing critical food, water, cover, and shelter for countless species. With your help, we're on our way to planting 1,000,000 Certified Wildlife Habitats® by 2030.  ## How Certification Works Tell us how your yard or garden provides habitat and the National Wildlife Federation will recognize it as a Certified Wildlife Habitat®. NWF's certification program recognizes gardens that provide essential elements for local fauna: food, water, shelter, and space to raise young. It's not about size or perfection, but about dedication to creating a haven for nature's wonders. Once certified, you can share your accomplishment and commitment to helping wildlife with your whole neighborhood by purchasing and posting an exclusive Certified Wildlife Habitat® sign. The application processing fee and any sign purchases directly support NWF programs to protect wildlife and its habitat. [Apply on the National Wildlife Federation Website](https://certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org?campaignid=WH25VSL) ![about-us-coneflower-garden](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Images/Pages/About%20Us/about-us-coneflower-garden.png) Creating a wildlife habitat garden to attract birds, butterflies, and other neighborhood wildlife is fun, rewarding, and makes a big difference. It’s easier than you might think. Here are the 4 basic elements your garden needs to thrive. ![gfw-icon-food-acorn](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Branding/Illustrative%20Icons/gfw-icon-food-acorn.svg "gfw-icon-food-acorn") Food Native plants provide food eaten by a variety of wildlife. Feeders can supplement natural food sources. ![gfw-icon-water](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Branding/Illustrative%20Icons/gfw-icon-water.svg "gfw-icon-water") Water All animals need water to survive, and some need it for bathing or breeding as well. ![gfw-icon-shelter-tree](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Branding/Illustrative%20Icons/gfw-icon-shelter-tree.svg "gfw-icon-shelter-tree") Cover Wildlife need places to take shelter from bad weather and places to hide from predators or hunt for prey. ![gfw-icon-bee-places-to-raise-young-birdhouse](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Branding/Illustrative%20Icons/gfw-icon-bee-places-to-raise-young-birdhouse.svg "gfw-icon-bee-places-to-raise-young-birdhouse") Places to Raise Young Wildlife need resources to reproduce, and to protect and nourish their young. Once you've established your garden, don't forget to maintain it in sustainable, natural ways to ensure soil, air, and water stay healthy and clean. 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