Michael and Melanie Bolin of Crossville have successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife movement.
NWF celebrates this effort to create a garden that supports birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and other local wildlife.
Every Certified Wildlife Habitat garden provides natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water and doesn’t rely on pesticides.
“I learned that our time on earth is short, maybe 83 summers, 83 winters, 83 autumns, and 83 springs if we are extremely lucky. Learning this changed my outlook on life,” Melanie Bolin said. “I decided to dedicate sections of my life, if able, to the things that mattered to me to experience in this lifetime. Learning true cooking, canning, flowers, gardening, and all of the creatures big and small that come within that territory.
Started in 1973, the Garden for Wildlife movement is the nation’s oldest and largest native plant/habitat program, recognizing more than 300,000 Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens across the North America and at 39 embassies worldwide, encompassing an estimated 4 million acres that support wildlife locally.
“We have added natural areas allowing everything from frogs to flourish, lightning bugs to breed, to orb spiders and praying mantis that trust our area as home,” Melanie Bolin said. “Bees flourish on the flowers, and the herb gardens provide a wide variety of options for our little creatures to roam.”
She added, “Ultimately, there is a balance to be gained where both the butterfly and the rose live in harmony, both prospering divinely.”
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.
“We are excited about this new Certified Wildlife Habitat, as it provides native plants and essential habitat elements. Research shows certified properties have the potential to support twice as much wildlife compared to non-certified properties,” said Mary Phillips, head of Garden for Wildlife/Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Many of NWF’s state affiliate organizations are partners in the Garden for Wildlife movement. Habitats in partnering states have national and state certification.
“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.”
He added, “It’s the perfect grassroots way to think globally and act locally and help birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.”
Participants who have their wildlife habitat garden certified receive a personalized certificate with a unique habitat number, a one-year membership to NWF with a subscription to National Wildlife magazine, a subscription to the Garden for Wildlife e-newsletter, the exclusive right to post a Certified Wildlife Habitat yard sign and a discount off native plants at www.gardenforwildlife.com.
Visit www.nwf.org/garden 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.
Go to www.gardenforwildlife.com to jump start creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat and order native plant collections for designed to provide three-season blooms for each ZIP code.
The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Go to www.nwf.org or visit the organization on Facebook, X and Instagram for more information.