This document provides steps to certify a wildlife habitat. It outlines 6 steps: 1) provide food from 3 sources like seeds and feeders, 2) provide water from natural or manmade sources like bird baths, 3) create cover with things like ground cover and bird houses, 4) provide places to raise young like nesting boxes or trees, 5) use 2 sustainable gardening practices like reducing lawn area, and 6) get certified by clicking a link and providing contact information. It also lists resources for native plants and gardening.

1. Certifying a Wildlife Habitat Bonnie Brzozowski http://www. nwf .org/

2. Why a wildlife habitat? Restoring habitats An educational tool Community building Sustainable gardening practices Donate Goodies!

3. Step One: Provide Food How? Plants Feeders How much? Three sources are required Examples: Seeds Nectar Butterfly feeders Bird feeders Provide Food For Wildlife: http: //tinyurl .com/3e4quqk

4. Step Two: Provide Water How? Natural features Manmade features How much? One source Examples: Bird bath Lakes, streams Rain garden Supply Water For Wildlife: http: //tinyurl .com/3lx56ox

5. Step Three: Create Cover How? Build a “house” Natural features How much? Two places to take cover Examples: Ground cover Dense shrubs Bird house Toad abode Create Cover For Wildlife: http: //tinyurl .com/3v34fap

6. Step Four: Place to Raise Young How? Create shelter Natural features How much? Two places Examples: Nesting box Cave Mature trees Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Their Young: http: //tinyurl .com/3o789tb

7. Step Five: Sustainable Gardening Examples: Mulching Xeriscaping Reduce lawn area Remove invasive plants Restore native plants Avoid chemicals How much? Two of the following: Soil and water conservation Controlling exotic species Organic practices

8. Step Six: Get Certified! Click on “Certify Now”: http: //tinyurl .com/3uls3eu

9. Step Six: Get Certified! Contact info, address, name your habitat, make payment

10. Resources Native and Naturalized Woody Plants of Oregon - Oregon State University Gardening - OSU Extension Services Gardening Publications - OSU Extension Services Gearing Up For Gardening DVD series

11. Enjoy the beauty! Photo by: Bob Zeller Photo by: John Magee Photo by: wolftale Flickr group: http://www. flickr . com/groups/wildlifehabitat/pool/