Make your garden a CERTIFIED WILDLIFE HABITAT® to show your commitment to wildlife in Oklahoma!
The Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma and the National Wildlife Federation have teamed up to recognize your yard, balcony container garden, schoolyard, work landscape and roadside green space through the Garden for Wildlife program. Join more than 255,000 others recognized since 1973! |
To Garden for Wildlife™ is simply the act of planting with a purpose to benefit wildlife and people. Gardeners incorporate native plants and eco-friendly gardening practices into their regular gardening to provide natural sources of food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.
An orange sulphur butterfly on Mexican sunflower. (KjBOutdoors photo)It especially benefits birds, pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and other insects, amphibians and small mammals and reptiles. Certifying is as simple as providing the four habitat components—food, water, cover, and places to raise young—and practicing sustainable gardening techniques such as eliminating pesticides, conserving water and planting native species. It helps people to connect to nature and enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come with a daily dose of nature. Studies show gardening can have positive impacts on blood pressure, brain activity, sleep patterns, stress reduction and mood. Working outdoors with exposure to sunlight helps reduce Vitamin D deficiencies and provides physical exercise. Incorporating vegetable and fruit plants—many of which rely on animal pollinators such as bees to produce—is a great way to supply your family with healthy fresh food. Joining the Garden for Wildlife movement creates a sense of community with like-minded people who care about wildlife and our shared environment. It can strengthen family bonds and intergenerational interaction when the entire family gets involved together to create and enjoy the wildlife habitat garden. |
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Attracting Wildlife Into Your YardAttracting wildlife into your yard is as easy as providing food, water, cover and places to raise young. Here are some ideas to get you started in your yard:
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The results are in.
Scientific studies confirm wildlife thrive in greater numbers where gardens are planted with native plants that provide floral diversity, rich nectar, pollen sources and three-season bloom. |
Food:
Plants with seeds, berries, nectar or nuts Seed feeder Suet feeder Hummingbird feeder Host plants for butterflies |
Water:
Birdbath Lakefront Stream Water garden/pond Fountain with running water |
When you certify a wildlife habitat garden, not only will wildlife and your local environment benefit, you’ll get some great perks as as part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife™ community and will receive the following benefits:
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Wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate. Habitat loss of native plants, tree cover, and watershed pollution are contributing factors. In addition, mainstream garden and landscape practices rely on chemicals exposing people and wildlife to systemic harm.
Studies show habitat gardens support wildlife by providing food, water, cover, and places to raise young and often double wildlife presence within one season. Natural landscapes made up of native wildflowers, shrubs, trees and other native plants and with minimal lawn not only provide habitat for declining wildlife and help keep common species common, they also reduce urban heat islands, increase carbon sequestration, manage storm water runoff, and don’t rely on toxic chemicals. Additionally, Americans are spending less and less time outdoors, leading to “nature deficit disorder” in children. Wildlife habitat gardens are safe space for people of all ages to connect with nature. |
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