Certify your Backyard!

Why certify your backyard?

You have planned and created a backyard wildlife habitat. Your backyard is becoming a healthier, wildlife-friendly place that provides food, water, cover and places to raise young. You are using sustainable gardening practices to minimize the application of pesticides, fertilizer and water, and that conserve natural resources. What wil certification add to your backyard?

What are the personal benefits of certification?

Aside from creating a wonderful place for plants and animals and YOU to thrive, you will receive the following personal benefits from the National Wildlife Federation with certification of your landscape: A Certificate of Achievement suitable for framing A lifetime subscription to the Habitats Newsletter The option for NWF to send a press release to your local newspaper announcing your achievement A free one-year membership to NWF Upon certification you are also eligible to order and post an attractifve yard sign to display your commitment to wildlife conservation and the environment.

How does the Hesston Community benefit from my certification?

With certification of your landscape, you will help the Hesston Community meet its Prairie Pocket Garden Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Requirements. Hesston will be the first community to be certified in the state of Kansas, and will join the ranks of only fifteen other certified communities, nationwide. Community Certification requires 50 registered landscapes.

Your certified backyard will help us "create an urban design that introduces and preserves a mosaic of prairie landscapes for the mutual benefit of people, plants and the wildlife."

How do I certify my backyard?

You don't have to be an expert scientist to fill out the application. Answer the questions as about your habitat as well as you can. If you have questions, ask a member of the Hesston Habitat Team, or phone 1-800-822-9919. If your habitat meets NWF's requirements, you will receive a certificate and the benefits as described above.

You can find the application online. Complete and submit it online, or download a printable version, complete, and mail to National Wildlife Federation, PO Box 1583, Merrifield, VA 22116-1583. There is a $15.00 application and processing fee.