Certify your wildlife-friendly backyard with the Canadian Wildlife Federation

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is making Canada more wildlife-friendly one backyard at a time. If you have taken extra care to welcome wildlife into your garden, CWF would like to recognize your efforts. You can now have your property officially designated as wildlife-friendly.

Anyone can take a hands-on approach to helping wildlife. Wherever you live - a farm in the country, a house in the suburbs, an apartment in the city - you can easily create a habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife through CWF's Backyard Habitat Certification program. We'll even provide you with the tools, tips and information you need.

"Unfortunately, more space for humans usually means less space for

wildlife," says Maria MacRae, CWF's Backyard Habitat program manager. "Creating a haven for wildlife in your backyard is a great way to give some of that space back."

Backyard certification recognizes efforts that create a welcoming space for wildlife by meeting their four essential needs: food, water, shelter and space.

The first step, often the best action you can take for wildlife, is to stop using pesticides.

This CWF program helps make places for wildlife in our increasingly urbanized world, and connects kids and adults with nature.

To date, CWF has certified more than 200 backyards across Canada and has educated countless people about the simplicity of gardening for wildlife.

There is no charge for certification. Applicants whose backyards meet the criteria will receive a certificate and window decal to indicate that their property is a certified backyard habitat. And if you register by September 30, 2006, CWF will provide you with a free garden sign.

Whether you are new to the idea of creating backyard habitat or a seasoned wildlife-friendly gardener, limited to a small patio or in possession of hectares of land, CWF would like to acknowledge your accomplishments.

To register your backyard or to find our more information, visit www.wildaboutgardening.org or call us at 1-800-563-WILD (9453).