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Male pyrrhuloxia.
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Create a Certified National Wildlife Federation Habitat
With a little planning Tucson gardeners can join other wildlife fans from across the country and have their garden or back yard certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat. With the $15 certification fee come a personalized certificate, membership in the National Wildlife Federation (NFW) and a years subscription to the National Wildlife magazine.

To get started all you have to do is provide different elements from the following areas:

Food sources - such as from native plants, feeders, fruit trees, berries or nectar from flowers or feeders.

Water sources - such as birdbaths, water garden or pond.

Places for cover - such as rock piles, wood piles, thickets or birdhouse.

Places to raise young - dense growing shrubs and trees, plentiful vegetation, ponds, burrows, and nesting boxes.

Sustainable gardening - such as mulching, composting, water harvesting, xeriscape, drip irrigation and lawn reduction.

Spiny lizard.
Once your yard is certified you can purchase a wildlife habitat sign to let your friends and neighbors know about your commitment to native wildlife

Once you have developed two or more sources from each of the above elements in your garden you can go on-line at the National Wildlife Federation site and fill out a brief certification application or print a copy to fill out later and submit by mail. The printed copy gives you the option to send up to five photos or a sketch of your wildlife friendly environment. Four to six weeks later you'll receive your certificate of certification. If you want, you can spend another $25 for a metal sign to post on your property to announce your certification and demonstrate to your friends and neighbors your willingness to promote wildlife and environmental conservation.

These two bobcats were not happy to see one another. Lots of snarling and growling.
Coyote pups at play.
Cactus wren on native mesquite looking for insects.

Certainly attracting and sustaining native wildlife in a natural environment is its own reward and receiving the certification shouldn't be necessary. However the NWF sponsors many educational programs in its quest to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.

According to the NWF Mission statement "today's children spend as many as six hours a day wired to electronic screens instead of playing outside." NWF is trying to reverse the trend by "fostering profound and personal connections between people and nature." Any contributions help the NWF to reach their goals. (2008)