This week, our small community in Collingswood has embarked on an exciting journey to enhance our local environment by becoming a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Community Habitat. The NWF’s Garden for Wildlife initiative encourages individuals, schools, businesses, and communities to create gardens that help wildlife not just survive but thrive. This initiative embodies the spirit of collaboration; it is comforting to know that there are many community members who share a passion for ecological restoration.

Local landscape designer Stephen Coan, affiliated with Feret Hollow Gardens, has been a pivotal figure in this initiative, outlining the main requirements for certification. Our goal is to have at least 100 residential backyards certified, along with two schools and three community areas. Achieving this certification aligns with the collective desire for environmental sustainability that many residents in our town hold dear.

During a recent Collingswood Green Team meeting, Stephen provided insight into the campaign, and the support from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. One of our commissioners, already a strong advocate for environmental initiatives, has committed to championing this cause, providing a sense of reassurance that our vision will materialize into tangible results.

However, transforming our quaint, historic suburb into a certified wildlife habitat requires more than the enthusiasm of a dedicated group — it calls for active participation from at least 97 additional households. Research shows that most people value wildlife conservation and wish to enact changes that positively impact our environment. Our town possesses a reputation as a haven for environmentally conscious individuals who come together in support of noble aspirations. The challenge we face is bridging the gap between awareness and action — between the desire for environmental improvement and the practical steps needed to achieve it.

To illustrate our progress, I would like to share our journey from a traditional lawn filled with invasive species to a Certified Backyard Habitat. It’s essential to recognize that while we have made strides, we are far from perfect. This past year has merely been the starting point of our commitment to wildlife preservation.

Provide Food

To begin this transformation, we made some straightforward yet impactful decisions. We installed a squirrel-resistant bird feeder and sourced a simple goldfinch seed bag along with suet as primary food options. Next, we pivoted from a typical lawn filled with non-beneficial, invasive plants to incorporating native plants. Our focus was on creating vertical layers within the habitat: ground cover, shrubs, understory plants, and canopy trees. Additionally, we are fortunate to have existing trees like a dogwood, two pin oaks, and a black walnut. While the dogwood is nearing the end of its life, we intend to keep it for the ecological benefits it still provides, especially to local birds and insects. Furthermore, we replaced portions of our lawn with a meadow, which now attracts various moths, butterflies, and beneficial insects, and phased out exotic and weed species from the previous landscaping.

Provide Shelter

Providing shelter for the wildlife we attract is equally essential—this ensures that birds and other animals have a safe refuge from predators. We’ve begun this process by planting evergreens and creating rock piles, but there’s room for growth in our efforts. For our certification-level habitat, we introduced rhododendrons to provide adequate cover and have refrained from mowing our meadow or cutting back plants to maintain natural shelter throughout the winter months. The hedge we’ve planted adjacent to the busy bird feeder acts as a protective barrier, demonstrating its value as a refuge for our feathered friends.

Provide a Water Source

A reliable water source is crucial for any thriving habitat. We opted for a bird bath equipped with a heater, ensuring availability of water for drinking and bathing even in the coldest winter months. I’ve witnessed ingenious designs ranging from DIY fountains to habitats for dragonflies crafted from vintage tubs, but a simple bird bath proved sufficient for achieving our certification.

Provide Places to Raise Young

Supporting local wildlife also requires providing safe nesting environments. Native plants play a crucial role in this regard, as highlighted in Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home, which details the importance of restoring habitats that foster biodiversity. Many insects are highly selective in their breeding and feeding habits and require specific plant species. By eliminating these plants, we undermine the entire food chain, impacting the very birds and mammals that rely on them for survival. To address this need, we installed four birdhouses and a bat house, each designed to accommodate various species, including one crafted specifically for wrens and chickadees.

Practice Sustainable Gardening

Collingswood offers affordable options for compost bins and rain barrels, along with practical guidance for setting them up. If you’re in our town, you can access them during the green festival each April; if not, they are available through numerous online retailers. Additionally, it is essential to eliminate the use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides. Choosing native plants significantly reduces maintenance needs after the initial establishment phase, as they adapt well to their local environment.

Secure Your Certification

The process we followed is merely one way to establish a certified backyard habitat; it is by no means exhaustive or the only method. My partner Tim and I continue to brainstorm improvements for our yard with the goal of creating an even more inviting sanctuary for wildlife. Experts like Coan are forging ahead, applying strategies to attract and support specific native bee species. Once you have addressed the basic factors, gaining certification is straightforward. You can visit the National Wildlife Federation’s website and fill out an uncomplicated form, which typically takes no longer than five minutes and requires a small donation. For our effort, we secured official certification and signage for a modest fee of $30.

We invite everyone to share their experiences in establishing backyard habitats, whether here in the comments or on social media. In the meantime, we plan to capture more pictures to showcase our yard’s transformation.

Get Involved

For those interested in engaging with this initiative and learning more about how to create sustainable environments that support local wildlife, we highly recommend visiting the WIRES website, where you can find resources that illustrate how simple changes make a significant difference.

By coming together as a community and making our spaces hospitable to wildlife, we contribute not only to the local ecosystem but also foster a legacy of environmental stewardship for future generations.