Neighbors establish certified wildlife habitats

This summer, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) certified the 40th Hyattsville property as a wildlife habitat, according to Patrick Fitzgerald, Senior Director of Community Wildlife. The NWF's Maryland state affiliate, the National Aquarium, has co-certified the property at 4104 Oglethorpe Street.

Geneen Massey, homeowner, received an application after stopping by a demonstration table at the National Aquarium. Once she reviewed the criteria--food, water, places for cover, places to raise young and sustainable garden practices--she realized her backyard qualified. An avid wildlife enthusiast, Massey said she wanted to support the NWF mission to 'ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world.'

Celebrating 45 years in 2018, the Garden for Wildlife movement has recognized over 217,000 Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens across the United States, encompassing more than 2.5 million acres that support wildlife locally. Backyards, urban gardens, school grounds, businesses, places of worship, campuses, parks, farms, zoos, and community landscapes can all be recognized as wildlife habitats through the program.

"Anyone, anywhere can restore wildlife habitat right in their own yards and communities," said NWF Naturalist David Mizejewski. "Whether you garden in a suburban yard, an urban area or a rural plot of land, you can make a difference for local wildlife. Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat garden is fun, easy and makes a real difference for neighborhood wildlife. It's the perfect grassroots way to think globally and act locally and help birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife," he added.

Going through the certification process has helped the newly certified Hyattsville homeowner to understand how much more can be done to continue to improve. "I'm now more motivated than ever to be able to incorporate additional elements from the NWF checklist. For example, I need to plant more native species to filter rainwater that floods our backyard from time to time." homeowner Geneen Massey said. "This certification is just a beginning for me."

For more information on NWF's Garden for Wildlife movement and how to qualify to have a garden space recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, visit www.nwf.org/garden or call 1-800-822-9919.