The National Wildlife Federation and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offer wildlife habitat certification programs for individual homes. A personal yard or garden must provide food, water, shelter and places to raise young to be qualified as wildlife habitat. Chemical-free maintenance of the area is also required.
The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department has Backyard Habitat Information Packets and can set you up with a Backyard Habitat Mentor for free assistance in the planning process. Information can also be found on the National Wildlife Federation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife websites.
Both organizations have on-line applications for certification. The National Wildlife Federation charges a $15 application fee and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife charges $5. For a combined $20, certification with both organizations may be applied for using the National Wildlife Federation application.
Upon certification both organizations offer official signs of certification that may be posted in your yard or window. The National Wildlife Federation signs read ‘Certified Wildlife Habitat’ and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife signs read ‘Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary’.
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