| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 10:57:03 AM
My guy and I have been planning an NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat. If you are not familiar with it, here is the NWF webpage about it:
Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat
http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/create.cfm?CFID=18748985&CFTOKEN=f46189aee8df7811-BB643A69-5056-A84B-C32162732009EF89
I was curious if anyone else here is working on one or already has one? Please tell me all about it!
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Mar 01 2010 : 9:02:03 PM
I certified our yard in 2003 when we moved to our current home. We live in the suburbs on a 1/3 acre lot near a park and open space areas so there is lots of undisturbed habitat near by. As a child I certified my parents' yard and also my grandparent's farm. It really is a great way to learn about and support wildlife and the environment.
We have 10 Douglas Fir trees that line the edges of our property that were here when we bought the house. I hired an arborist to to crown thin the Firs and limb them up high. Then I started adding native plants like Oregon Grape, Snowberry, Arbutus and Flowering Currant under the trees to create a green fence along the property lines.
We have Anna's hummingbirds year round and also Rufous during the summer so I've also planted a variety of flowers for them to enjoy.
This summer I'm hoping to finally finish my landscape, irrigation and grading plans so we can fix our drainage problems and start remodeling the rest of our yard so I can add more plants to support birds and wildlife. Eventually I hope to have a small pond or water feature in the backyard, too.
I have two parakeets and they love to watch the birds, squirrels and other wildlife outside their window. This morning we had Stellers Jays, Ringneck Pidgeons, Flickers, Pileated Woodpecker, Grossbeaks, Varied Thrushes, Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Chickadees, Oregon Juncos, Towhees, Wrentits and Bushtits at the feeders while I was eating breakfast. Spring is here and the migrating birds are beginning to arrive. Yay!!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Feb 24 2010 : 07:16:45 AM
It will be warming up here soon and I am looking forward to getting to work on this some more. My neighbor's teenage daughter is going to help me with yard work, etc., this year and I am going to have her help me with this, too.
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| wellswillow |
Posted - Jan 28 2010 : 06:17:43 AM
We have been certified for several years. On our 5 acres we have a 1/3 acre pond, lots of woods, and plenty of wildlife friendly plantings. Eacch year we add some more. Many of the flowers in my garden have seed heads that I leave through the winter for our feathered friends.
Marcie
I enjoy chatting with my friends. |
| gwen Quon |
Posted - Jan 21 2010 : 2:38:02 PM
I live in Lake Elsinore, California and our yard is certified For NWF. It really is not that difficult to be approved at all. Just go to the site and answer the application. It does not
matter what size your yard is. They want to see use of feeders water available and plants. My yard is a standard yard for a track home but we have a small pond and 15 feeders and we have planted lots of native plants and lavenders. They do well in our hot climate. I feel
honored to have my sign in our yard that states our yard is natural habitat. It also inspires us to keep it in good condition for all our feathered friends that come to visit. |
| donna rae |
Posted - Jan 16 2010 : 5:24:54 PM
Yep, our 'habitat' has been certified for some time. We live in a very suburban neighborhood and I love having my little metal sign out. The birds, bees, squirrels, bunnies, lizards, toads, etc. that visit our yard are so wonderful!
Donna Rae
Farmgirl Sister # 593
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| frannie |
Posted - Dec 22 2009 : 5:39:17 PM
hallie, thanks so much for the post and the link. i was unaware of the nwf certification. i think it will be very compatible with how we are here at the farm, and i think the grandkids would love the whole concept of protecting the wildlife here.
love
frannie in texas
home of "green"crafts,
where no scrap is left behind
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/)
www.angeltree.etsy.com
check out the farm at:
www.localharvest.org/farms/M24434 |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Dec 22 2009 : 10:52:00 AM
When I was trying to make my eyes stay open this cold , windy morn. I always watch the sunrise from my swing on my front porch. We a an older female coyote that has been coming in for water for several years now, I always know its her do to her back markings, she as an outline in black that is a perfect english saddle. This morn as she was walking in to one of the pasture ponds, I noticed another coyote about 100 or so feet behind her. I had already throw a bunch of old bread down for the birds, she did something she has never done before. She started wolfing down the bread, stopped when she had eaten about half, the other half she picked up in her mouth, walked back to where the other coyote was, ( I had by this time gotten my binoculars, he/she was very old and thin ), she dropped all the old bread at his feet, and then gave him a quick lick on the nose and trotted away. I was amazed, I do believe that she was giving him , probally his last, Christmas present, her , what was to be a cache, food. This brought tears to my eyes, we all could learn from animals, sigh.............
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Dec 22 2009 : 10:01:47 AM
quote:
Originally posted by NancyM
We did the certification in 2004. The state of Washington also has a certification program. It's brought out some nice questions from visitors which lead to discussions about animals and habitat. Hopefully I've helped to educate a few people!
Nancy
Farmgirl Sister #159
That is really neat. I didn't know that any states had a certification program. Wonder who else does...
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Dec 22 2009 : 10:00:37 AM
quote:
Originally posted by sonshine4u
I just looked up all the things to do for certification and I think we only need to work on a few more things to be well on our way towards it! We live in the 'burbs and have had lots of birds this year with all our sunflowers. The yard was just full of them one day! It was so neat to see so many varieties all at once! We had a family of bunnies in our yard too, which was good and bad as they enjoyed my carrot tops in my garden! Felt a little like Mr. McGregor! Loads of squirrels and chipmunks. A new addition this year was a family of mice. I think it was due to our new compost pile and not enough dry material on top of all the veggie scraps! I have mixed emotions about this one! While mice are a great meal for some other wildlife, they are not welcome in my house! So far, so good! Thanks for the link and the inspiration!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u
I would love to see photos of all those sunflowers! They are one of my favorite flowers.
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Dec 22 2009 : 09:57:49 AM
Madgardener, that is so awesome! (So are your photos, BTW!)
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| Madgardener |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 2:18:44 PM
 We have been a Wild Life Habitat for over two years and have the sign posted in the yard.. Nesting Blue Birds. Cardinal's, tons of Humming Birds this summer, here is the short list. Wood Cuck his photo is on the web site, skunks, rabbits, red fox. We have nesting boxes everywhere, feeders, birdbaths on 3 plus acres..
Madgardener # 697 Janet...
www.Phoenixfarm.biz Photos
www.phoenixfarm.biz |
| sonshine4u |
Posted - Dec 10 2009 : 1:48:34 PM
I just looked up all the things to do for certification and I think we only need to work on a few more things to be well on our way towards it! We live in the 'burbs and have had lots of birds this year with all our sunflowers. The yard was just full of them one day! It was so neat to see so many varieties all at once! We had a family of bunnies in our yard too, which was good and bad as they enjoyed my carrot tops in my garden! Felt a little like Mr. McGregor! Loads of squirrels and chipmunks. A new addition this year was a family of mice. I think it was due to our new compost pile and not enough dry material on top of all the veggie scraps! I have mixed emotions about this one! While mice are a great meal for some other wildlife, they are not welcome in my house! So far, so good! Thanks for the link and the inspiration!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u |
| NancyM |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 10:09:51 PM
We did the certification in 2004. The state of Washington also has a certification program. It's brought out some nice questions from visitors which lead to discussions about animals and habitat. Hopefully I've helped to educate a few people!
Nancy
Farmgirl Sister #159 |
| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 03:48:08 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 1badmamawolf
Kelly, Unfortunatly we are too dry for salamanders to establish themselves here, there are natural waterways, but they are small and in drought times, like now, completly dry up in the summer. We do have a couple of marsh type ponds that attract migrateing water fowl in the early spring and late fall,which is really nice to go see.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children"
We used to have salamanders sometimes in my childhood home, a very old farmhouse. They would crawl in through a crack down in the basement, I guess. You'd see them sunning themselves on the dryer now and again, LOL. I always thought it was cool.
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 03:45:25 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 1badmamawolf
My property is certified, has been for many years now. I live in the high desert of So. Cal., and I have alot of wildlife includeing Great Horned Owls, burrowing owls, mojave ground squierrls(which i don't like much), coyotes, bobcats, 1 time a Mt Lion, hummers( several differant varietys, including a Allen hummer which should not be here), kangaroo rats, many differant kinds of snakes and lizards, toads, badger, kit fox, hawks and falcons. I provide natural water holes, areas they can hide, den and burrow. Sionce I use no chemicals of anykind on my place, they are safe from that.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children"
I just found out recently that my aunt, who lives near Redlands, has her place certified. How exciting it would be to see so much wildlife!
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 03:43:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by boone girl
I am not certified but I have worked with the NC Wildlife Federation as a Conservation Chair! I am an animal keeper at Grandfather Mtn in Western NC. I do everything that would qualify but still need to add a few things. We are working with the extension office here locally with rain gardens and stormwater run off wetlands. I have enjoyed working with this cause so much!
Boone Girl
Wow, that is so neat! Would love to hear about your progress.
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 03:41:59 AM
quote:
Originally posted by sherrye
thanks for the great link. i have been doing all the things needed but had not gotten certified. now i will get it done. saving all the little creatures moved out by urban growth is a good thing. thanks sherrye
I know, and around here it's always another strip mall or medical office building. I saw another one going up just north of us a few blocks.  We are also feeding some homeless kitties, too, now. My big fear is that one of these farmers will sell out and a developer will wipe out this big field across from the street to the east. That's where all the squirrels, coons, and Canadian geese feed.
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Nov 20 2009 : 03:36:31 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Mary Ann Newcomer
I've been certified for a couple of years (some of my friends would say I am certifiable). Each year I try to do at least one more thing to improve the habitat at Ranch du Bois.
Farmgirl w/a city garden, Dirt Diva on the radio. Sister chick #246
www.idahogardener.com
ROFL, my family would say I was, too. We say this is the cat ranch, here.
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| LisaH |
Posted - Nov 19 2009 : 6:40:09 PM
I'm an NWF member and have been working toward getting our yard certified. I'm pleased to say that I'm very close now. Just a couple of things to work on and I should be good to go. I love watching the variety of birds that come in each season. Some stay all year but many just stop over for a quick bite on their way north or south depending on the season. My in-laws have an awesome picture of a peregrine falcon sitting in their tree looking for dinner. These birds have just recently been re-introduced to our area. They are awesome to see in person. My only problem is keeping the squirrels and the raccoons out of my feeders. I've tried everything but since I'm surrounded by trees I think it is hopeless.
Lisa
An Indiana Suburban Farmgirl |
| Woodswoman |
Posted - Nov 13 2009 : 4:42:05 PM
Yep, I've got mine!!
Jennifer
Farmgirl Sister #104
"Nature brings to every time and season some beauties of its own".
-Charles Dickens |
| boone girl |
Posted - Nov 10 2009 : 5:31:33 PM
I am not certified but I have worked with the NC Wildlife Federation as a Conservation Chair! I am an animal keeper at Grandfather Mtn in Western NC. I do everything that would qualify but still need to add a few things. We are working with the extension office here locally with rain gardens and stormwater run off wetlands. I have enjoyed working with this cause so much!
Boone Girl |
| Mary Ann Newcomer |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 10:50:03 AM
I've been certified for a couple of years (some of my friends would say I am certifiable). Each year I try to do at least one more thing to improve the habitat at Ranch du Bois.
Farmgirl w/a city garden, Dirt Diva on the radio. Sister chick #246
www.idahogardener.com |
| sherrye |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 8:19:19 PM
thanks for the great link. i have been doing all the things needed but had not gotten certified. now i will get it done. saving all the little creatures moved out by urban growth is a good thing. thanks sherrye |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 10:52:50 AM
Well when I did this a few years ago it was 15 dollars to receive everything after you proved up your property and then I think the metal sign was (back then) 35 dollars. I hope that helps. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 08:04:48 AM
I was already doing a lot of the things needed, like compost and water-wise gardening. Some of the other things are proving harder as we rent our lot and so are limited in what we can do. SO what DO the signs cost?
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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