gardening gab

certify your backyard

Whether you are limited to a small patio or have hectares of land, the Canadian Wildlife Federation would like to acknowledge your efforts in welcoming wildlife to your garden. The Backyard Habitat Certification Program was initiated to recognize the hard work of Canadians in meeting the habitat needs of wildlife.

In certifying backyards there are three key areas that we look at:

1. Wildlife-friendly gardening. Certification recognizes efforts to welcome wildlife by meeting their four needs:

   • Food — Food for a diversity of wildlife can be provided through combinations of seed, nut, or fruit-producing trees, berry-producing shrubs, grasses, and/or flowers. Consider food needs throughout the seasons.

   • Water — If space limitations prohibit a pond, consider a birdbath or water bowl.

   • Shelter — Evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, snags (dead trees), brush piles, logs, and rock piles are all ways to provide wildlife with protection from inclement weather and predators.

   • Space — Birds view your property in three-dimensional terms. Including diverse layers of vegetation - such as tall and short trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and groundcover -increases the "space" of your habitat.

2. Earth-friendly gardening. The key to earth-friendly gardening is the avoidance of chemical pesticides - both insecticides and herbicides (weed killers). Pesticides harm organisms other than those targeted. They can also be harmful to human health and enter our waterways affecting environments far outside the boundaries of your garden. We also encourage the use of natural fertilizers, such as compost or well-aged manure, that improve the overall health of your soil instead of chemical fertilizers whose excess often end up in our waterways.

3. Naturalized habitat. Regionally native plants (those that have grown wild in your area for centuries) generally require less maintenance and are better able to meet the needs of local wildlife than exotic flora. Many wildlife species are dependant on the presence of native vegetation for their survival. We look for the inclusion of some trees, shrubs, or perennials native to your region.

Bringing birds to your backyard is one obvious benefit of creating a wildlife-friendly backyard. While we recognize the benefits of providing artificial nesting structures and bird feeders, we are also looking for efforts to create a more rounded habitat capable of meeting the needs of a diversity of wildlife. The choice of plants should reflect a desire to provide food and shelter for wildlife. We look for items such as fruit, nut, or berry-producing shrubs and/or trees, evergreen and deciduous trees (preferably native), and/or native perennial flowers or flowering shrubs.

There is no charge for certification. Applicants that meet the above criteria will receive a certificate and window decal to indicate that the property is Certified Backyard Habitat. Colourful garden signs will be available for purchase to certified participants for a price of $15.00 (includes shipping and handling).

Certified Backyard Habitat Application Form. Please note the form CANNOT be completed online. Simply print the form and mail to:

Backyard Habitat Certification
Canadian Wildlife Federation
350 Michael Cowpland Drive
Kanata, Ontario K2M 2W1

CWF's Backyard Habitat program offers the following resources to assist you in creating habitat in your backyard:


Wild About Gardening

Check out other sections of our Web site. It's full of advice on how to accommodate wildlife from butterflies and birds to bats and frogs. It features an encyclopedia of plants native to Canada, with information on the types of plants that will grow in your region, the conditions they need, and how they help wildlife.


Creating Habitat for Wildlife - A Garden Planner

To facilitate the creation of wildlife-friendly gardens across Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has produced a colourful garden planner called Creating Habitat for Wildlife. Brimming with advice and vibrant watercolour illustrations, it is as beautiful as it is useful. There are sections on attracting birds, choosing plants, composting, and managing insect pests, just to name a few. The planner also provides a habitat checklist and record pages for birds, butterflies, perennials, trees, and shrubs, among other things. To complete your plans, graph paper allows you to design your garden's layout.

Creating Habitat for Wildlife is printed on synthetic (tree-free) paper that is waterproof, washable, and tear resistant. You can use it both inside and out without worrying that rain or a sprinkler will wash your notes away. Order your copy for $9 (includes shipping and taxes) by calling CWF at 1-800-563-9453 (613-599-9594 Ottawa area) or by completing the form.


Backyard Habitat for Canada's Wildlife

This book provides a more in-depth look at creating wildlife habitat in your backyard. Whether you want to attract butterflies, build nesting boxes, or create a pond, Backyard Habitat for Canada's Wildlife is packed with the knowledge you'll need to make your project a success. Covering everything from the basics of tree planting to the intricacies of wildlife habitat restoration, this handbook is an invaluable resource. Order your copy for $24.95 plus shipping and taxes by calling CWF at 1-800-563-9453 (613-599-9594 Ottawa area). This publication is currently out of print. Watch for a revised edition coming soon.