by Jay Eriv

NWF is piloting a professional landscaper initiative to certify professional landscaper to assist their clients to create wildlife-friendly gardens.  The pilot is assist NWF provide certified expertise on the ground to individuals, schools, communities and business who which to take the next step to not just garden and have a beautiful landscape but are ready to think about what they do in their yard impacts birds, butterflies, insects and all wildlife and plant as part of the larger eco-system.   Professional landscapers can serve as on-the-ground ambassadors for NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Program and work with individuals to design, install and maintain landscapes that are both beautiful and wildlife-friendly.  In return, homeowners, schools, business who may need additional professional help in creating their wildlife-friendly landscape have a "Ranger Rick Approved" Landscaper to turn to.  NWF certifies the professionals to ensure they are complying with the programs guidelines and standards.

NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Program for over 40 years has engages homeowners, schools, businesses and other to change their currently landscape and gardening practices to be more wildlife-friendly.  Approximately 90% of the individuals who have participated in the program are individual homeowners.  To date, over 150,000 properties have been certified. For detailed information on NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Certification, please visit our web site at www.nwf.org/certify/.